Need some suggestions for a garage rig...

comfortablycurt

Hey everyone.

So, I'm getting ready to put together a rig for my garage. I've been spending a lot of time out there lately working on various different projects, and I think it's about time for an upgrade from the little boombox/radio thing I've got out there right now.

I'm mainly considering integrated amps, because I'd like to keep the number of components to a minimum. I listen to the radio a lot when I'm out there, so an integrated/tuner would be ideal. I realize that narrowing it down to only integrated/tuners cuts the options down though, so that's not a requirement. I'll most likely end up going with an integrated and an external tuner. I'll also probably go with a 5 disc CD changer out there.

I've got a potential line on an Adcom GCA-510 integrated amp locally. That's currently at the top of the list as far as the integrated amp goes. Any other suggestions?

Any suggestions on a 5-6 disc CD changer in the $100-150 range? Not really any specific requirements on this one...aside from being a CD changer and being able to play CD-R's.

I'm also looking for some speaker recommendations. I was thinking about using my Monitor 7's out there...but they just sound too good to be relegated to garage duty. I'm not sure what direction I want to go with the speakers yet...I'm thinking either some old school 3-ways with 10" or 12" woofers...or possibly some smaller bookshelf speakers. I'm not looking to spend much more than $150 or so for the speakers.

This rig isn't going to get a lot of critical listening...mainly background music when I'm out in the shop wrenching. I still want something that sounds good and can rock out though. The boombox/radio that's out there now just doesn't cut it...lol

Thanks everyone,


Curt

concealer404

I think this might be a question where the answer "Cerwin Vega" MIGHT be relevant!

I suggest those or Infinity SM-series for this application, if you're just looking to rock out.

kawizx9r

PM sent.

dudeinaroom

+1 on the CV's for all out rockin'. Wait, did I just recommend CVs. Cerwins do not take a lot of power to get loud. They can be difficult to drive for some equipment though.

Conradicles

I used CV's for my garage rig before I went to Polks. They get loud and the bass will hit you in the chest. I like them.

Conradicles

Also Curt, don't forget about the Harman/Kardon stereo receivers. Cheap and can push 4 ohms with ease.

dudeinaroom

Conradicles wrote: »

Also Curt, don't forget about the Harman/Kardon stereo receivers. Cheap and can push 4 ohms with ease.

Not quite true, I was looking into them a few years back, and not one had any specifications for 4 ohms. I e-mailed their CS department and was told that they will not handle 4 ohms. with the exception of their top model they had at the time.

gelinas

If you want floorstanders these Sony's are pretty inexpensive @ $150 shipped for the pair
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-F6000-Floor-Standing-Speakers-Woofer/dp/B000OG4E20/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1259678835&sr=8-2

coolsax

dudeinaroom wrote: »

Not quite true, I was looking into them a few years back, and not one had any specifications for 4 ohms. I e-mailed their CS department and was told that they will not handle 4 ohms. with the exception of their top model they had at the time.

Their AVRs with 5.1 + may not be able to, but if you look at the specs on their website for their Stereo(2ch) receivers its shows they can handle 4 ohm.. or at least say they can.. I think Assimilated actually runs LSi7's off of his HK 2ch receiver

NJPOLKER

I know someone who has a Denon 5 disc changer for sale.

dudeinaroom

That could be very true, I was looking at AVRs when I contacted them.

adam2434

Can you just run speaker wire to the garage from one of your existing rigs?

Conradicles

Also Curt, Monitor 10's might be sweet. I have a Onkyo 6 Dic DVD/CD player if you are interested on the cheap.

TroyD

I love my garage rig...vintage Marantz receiver....Dynaco A-25's and a cheap sony changer.

All in, I've got about 25 bucks in this rig.

BDT

dorokusai

You could build 9-10 of them based on George Grands' FM advertisment alone.

comfortablycurt

concealer404 wrote: »

I think this might be a question where the answer "Cerwin Vega" MIGHT be relevant!

I suggest those or Infinity SM-series for this application, if you're just looking to rock out.

dudeinaroom wrote: »

+1 on the CV's for all out rockin'. Wait, did I just recommend CVs. Cerwins do not take a lot of power to get loud. They can be difficult to drive for some equipment though.

Conradicles wrote: »

I used CV's for my garage rig before I went to Polks. They get loud and the bass will hit you in the chest. I like them.

I've considered CV's actually. Generally, I can't stand them, but they may work in this situation. Like I said, I won't really be doing any critical listening out there. It's mainly going to be for the rocking out factor. It's a decent sized garage too, so it's going to take a decent speaker to get nice bass response in there. Plus, used CV's can generally be had on the cheap.

Conradicles wrote: »

Also Curt, don't forget about the Harman/Kardon stereo receivers. Cheap and can push 4 ohms with ease.

Duly noted...I'll look into them. As of right now though, I'm thinking I'm going to go with the Adcom GCA-510. It's local, and the price is right. I'm still definitely going to research other options though.

NJPOLKER wrote: »

I know someone who has a Denon 5 disc changer for sale.

Do you know the model number offhand? How much? I might be interested.

adam2434 wrote: »

Can you just run speaker wire to the garage from one of your existing rigs?

Well, if I had a couple thousand feet of speaker wire laying around I could. My rig is upstairs and on the opposite side of the house from the garage.

Having to stop what I'm doing and go back into the house when I want to change the CD/radio station would be a bit of a pain too...lol

Maybe if I got about 8-9 remote extenders....:p

Conradicles wrote: »

Also Curt, Monitor 10's might be sweet. I have a Onkyo 6 Dic DVD/CD player if you are interested on the cheap.

I've tossed around Monitor 10's actually. I'm kind of thinking I want to go with something other than Polk for the garage rig though. No real reason...just want to try something different.

dorokusai wrote: »

You could build 9-10 of them based on George Grands' FM advertisment alone.

Well...possibly, but I personally can't. As far as I know, GG has me on his bozo list for some reason. Not really sure why.

I'd be sucking up the vinyl like crazy if I wasn't.

Tony M

A pr. of pinnacle PN8's would sound nice out there. Or older kenwoods and Sansui's or Akai's too. With an older pioneer receiver too.:cool:

WilliamM2

Where is the HT located? I run my garage off zone 2 of my main system. Music is all stored on a CDR-HD1500. Speakers are wired direct. To control it all only required a wireless video sender/remote repeater ($35), and a 13" color TV that had been collecting dust in the basement for 15 years.

With temps well below freezing in winter, and hot and humid in the summer, I didn't really want my electronics in the garage.

comfortablycurt

tony millard wrote: »

A pr. of pinnacle PN8's would sound nice out there. Or older kenwoods and Sansui's or Akai's too. With an older pioneer receiver too.:cool:

I heard some Pinnacles a few weeks ago and was quite impressed with them. I'm not sure what model # they were though.

I've always thought that Sansui's were awesome looking! I used to have a pair of Sansui's with 14"(IIRC) woofers...some nice sounding speakers.

I'll check into some Kenwoods and Akai's too.

Thanks for the suggestions.:)

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Where is the HT located? I run my garage off zone 2 of my main system. Music is all stored on a CDR-HD1500. Speakers are wired direct. To control it all only required a wireless video sender/remote repeater ($35), and a 13" color TV that had been collecting dust in the basement for 15 years.

With temps well below freezing in winter, and hot and humid in the summer, I didn't really want my electronics in the garage.

That's not even really a possibility for me, as nice as it would be. My HT is located on the second floor, on the complete opposite side of the house from the garage. The garage is also detached from the house, and about 15 feet away. The spot where the stereo will be going is also on the complete opposite side of the garage...lol Using my AVR's Zone 2 was one of my first thoughts...but I couldn't do it without running hundreds of feet of speaker wire all through the house...lol

So, it's going to be easier to just have a dedicated 2 ch. out there.

The shop is heated/air conditioned as well, so the colder temperatures aren't really going to be a concern.

Thanks for the suggestion though.:)

cnh

+1 on the Pinnacles and the H/K Stereo Receiver....the 120 watt/channel model used!


Also +1 on a cheap Sony changer...they're not bad for that kind of duty--I use one for a similar application and some 12" KLH 3 ways that can bang out some BASS with an old Pioneer Receiver powering them.

cnh

DollarDave

I'd recommend a NAD receiver or pre-amp/amp combo - they sound great, drive 4 ohm loads, and won't show the dust.

For $150, there are some real nice ADS to be had like some L-710's. mhardy6647 would have some suggestions, too.