If you were me

rabrew1953
rabrew1953 Posts: 13
edited November 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I have a very limited budget (about $100.00). I need to do 3 things to my very modest system. I need an amp (can get an Adcom GFA 545 for $100.00), upgrade interconnect and speaker wire, or do the crossovers in my 10b's. Whatever I do will have to last awhile before the next upgrade, Which one do you think gives me the most improvement?
2 Channel only
Sony BDP-57 (used for SACD only)
Music Hall 25.2 integrated
Ipod Nano 5th Gen
Polk Monitor 10b's (modded & w/ RDO-194's)
Frank's Ipod mini cable, Signal II IC's, & Power Cord
Canare 4s11
Post edited by rabrew1953 on
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited November 2009
    What do you have currently, other than the 10b's?
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2009
    If Polkies knew what your present system consist of, it would then be much easier to help ;)

    What is your present amp and what are your present interconnects?
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited November 2009
    Get some change together from behind the couch, in the car and those drawers!

    Mortite caulk cord in place of the stock gaskets, probably the cheapest tweak you can do.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • rabrew1953
    rabrew1953 Posts: 13
    edited November 2009
    Sorry guys about the lack of info....the ex walked out with everything. The 10b's were too heavy for her, thank God. I have the Sherwood 4105 receiver, a 1980's JVC CDP, Monster cables, and the Radio Shack Auvio interconnect between the receiver and CDP. Pretty sad, I know.
    2 Channel only
    Sony BDP-57 (used for SACD only)
    Music Hall 25.2 integrated
    Ipod Nano 5th Gen
    Polk Monitor 10b's (modded & w/ RDO-194's)
    Frank's Ipod mini cable, Signal II IC's, & Power Cord
    Canare 4s11
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited November 2009
    I'd definitely go for the Adcom. The 545 is a fine sounding amp.

    I've run Monitor 7's, RTi8's and SDA 2A's with my 545, and it'll do it without even breaking a sweat.

    With the gear you have, upgrading cables would be a waste of money IMO. I'd worry about that later on down the road.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited November 2009
    Two things are going in your favor:

    She's gone and you have the Polks.

    Check Craigslist or thrift store in your area. This time of year folks are trying to get up Christmas money. May be a bargain wanting for you. What area are you from?
    >
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    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • rabrew1953
    rabrew1953 Posts: 13
    edited November 2009
    I'm in the DC Metro area. I check craigslists, CP, and audiogon all the time. I did the JB weld on the mids earlier this year, sand inside the base stands, tightened torx screws on the 10's this weeend, and did the slight toe-in. I'm tweaking at a snails pace. My goal is be like the guy in the chair for the old Memorex ads.
    2 Channel only
    Sony BDP-57 (used for SACD only)
    Music Hall 25.2 integrated
    Ipod Nano 5th Gen
    Polk Monitor 10b's (modded & w/ RDO-194's)
    Frank's Ipod mini cable, Signal II IC's, & Power Cord
    Canare 4s11
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited November 2009
    rabrew1953 wrote: »
    I'm in the DC Metro area. I check craigslists, CP, and audiogon all the time. I did the JB weld on the mids earlier this year, sand inside the base stands, tightened torx screws on the 10's this weeend, and did the slight toe-in. I'm tweaking at a snails pace. My goal is be like the guy in the chair for the old Memorex ads.

    Welcome to the Club!

    Audiogon is a great place to put together a system on a budget.
    Before you know it,you will be sitting in that Memorex chair:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited November 2009
    The amp will do you no good, since your reciever has no pre-outs.
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  • rabrew1953
    rabrew1953 Posts: 13
    edited November 2009
    The Sherwood receiver will be going in the garage hooked up to some R15's.

    Found an Adcom 545 amp and GTP 500 pre for $150.00....I'm thinking about it.

    And thank you for the CP welcome. I've been lurking here awhile feeding off of you guys.
    2 Channel only
    Sony BDP-57 (used for SACD only)
    Music Hall 25.2 integrated
    Ipod Nano 5th Gen
    Polk Monitor 10b's (modded & w/ RDO-194's)
    Frank's Ipod mini cable, Signal II IC's, & Power Cord
    Canare 4s11
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited November 2009
    rabrew1953 wrote: »
    The Sherwood receiver will be going in the garage hooked up to some R15's.

    Found an Adcom 545 amp and GTP 500 pre for $150.00....I'm thinking about it.

    And thank you for the CP welcome. I've been lurking here awhile feeding off of you guys.

    In that case, go for it.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,204
    edited November 2009
    rabrew1953 wrote: »
    The Sherwood receiver will be going in the garage hooked up to some R15's.

    Found an Adcom 545 amp and GTP 500 pre for $150.00....I'm thinking about it.

    And thank you for the CP welcome. I've been lurking here awhile feeding off of you guys.

    I think you'd be VERY pleased with this upgrade, especially for the price.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited November 2009
    rabrew1953 wrote: »
    The Sherwood receiver will be going in the garage hooked up to some R15's.

    Found an Adcom 545 amp and GTP 500 pre for $150.00....I'm thinking about it.

    And thank you for the CP welcome. I've been lurking here awhile feeding off of you guys.

    That's a great price for those pieces. I'd jump on em. You'd get a very appreciable improvement in sound quality with those upgrades.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited November 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    That's a great price for those pieces. I'd jump on em. You'd get a very appreciable improvement in sound quality with those upgrades.

    Agreed. Don't think about it. Do it.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited November 2009
    Also...don't be scared of the "only" 100 watt rating of the Adcom 545. I'm running one with my SDA 2A's, and it'll drive them to around 105 db without breaking a sweat. They're very robust amps.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter