Can't wait to get going

wutadumsn23

Hey guys, newbie here in the 2 channel world. After the Seattle mini meet this past weekend I have had my eyes opened to the world of 2 ch, lol. I have been a strictly HT guy up to this point, and until I recently won a set of TSi 500's in a raffle at that meet had no desire/money for a "serious" 2 ch rig. Granted the 500's are not the top of the food chain in music speakers, but they held their own hooked up that beauty of an amp and buffer they had there. I am trying to set aside some funds for a 2 ch rig and need some guidance on where to go. I am in no way looking to put together a $10,000 rig, but would like some guidance on what to be looking for as far as sources/amps/buffers etc. Don't have a lot of money saved up yet, just want to know what to look for when the time does come, or what to be looking for in the FS section/CL/Epray. Thanks in advance guys, and I look forward to your advice.

-Jeff

steveinaz

Speakers first, best advice I can give. Spend your largest percentage there---and most importantly, get what you want. Then, build around them.

I'd look into the tubed pre/solid state amp scheme, and get a killer CD player.

Do ALOT of research on speaker choices. The $5,500/pr speaker "group" has an incredible sweet-spot for bang-for-the-buck ratio---and making a good choice here can get you 98% of the way to anything, cost-no-object, performance wise.

Look at my system below...that's approx what $6500 will buy you (cables included). I could build a monster on $10 g's.

concealer404

What's your projected budget for everything Jeff?

Source, preamp, amp, cables?

steveinaz

...and of course, maximize your dollar by going used where possible.

organ

steveinaz wrote: »

...and of course, maximize your dollar by going used where possible.

+1:cool:

danger boy

he already has the speakers.. needs amplification and the rest to complete a 2ch rig.

steveinaz wrote: »

Speakers first, best advice I can give. Spend your largest percentage there---and most importantly, get what you want. Then, build around them.

I'd look into the tubed pre/solid state amp scheme, and get a killer CD player.

Do ALOT of research on speaker choices. The $5,500/pr speaker "group" has an incredible sweet-spot for bang-for-the-buck ratio---and making a good choice here can get you 98% of the way to anything, cost-no-object, performance wise.

Look at my system below...that's approx what $6500 will buy you (cables included). I could build a monster on $10 g's.

steveinaz

A $10G rig with Tsi500 speakers? I hope not....no offense Jeff, but thats like putting walmart tires on a corvette. Seriously, that would be a BIG mistake, IMO.

danger boy

steveinaz wrote: »

A $10G rig with Tsi500 speakers? I hope not....no offense Jeff, but thats like putting walmart tires on a corvette. Seriously, that would be a BIG mistake, IMO.

Steve. reread his post, please..

he says "in no way am I looking to put together a $10,000 system"

with or without the Tsi500's

steveinaz

Oh hell, I'm a dumbass, I thought it said he wanted a $10G system.

Sorry fellers, I did turn 48 this week...LOL @ myself.

TroyD

Get a GOOD source. Jolida JD-100 comes to mind. Put some coinage in your source(s).....

To start, man, I'd look at an integrated. Like a NAD (you can't beat the bang/buck)...now, get that hooked up. If in a little while, the 2ch bug is still biting...you can upgrade from there. That's where I'd start.

BDT

comfortablycurt

I've been waiting for the 2 channel bug to catch you.:cool:


Now you can start to see why my HT rig has been completely disassembled.;)

Ya know, if you sold off your HT gear, you'd have a pretty penny to put together a nice 2 channel rig.:)

kcoc321

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Ya know, if you sold off your HT gear, you'd have a pretty penny to put together a nice 2 channel rig.:)

NOT a chance in heLL that is ever gunna happen....Rosie would REALLY tighten his nits...LOL

comfortablycurt

kcoc321 wrote: »

NOT a chance in heLL that is ever gunna happen....Rosie would REALLY tighten his nits...LOL

Well, it would be worth it, to have the best music reproduction possible.:)


HT? Who needs it? Especially when you've got SDA's.;) They've got surround sound built in.:)

zingo

Jeff, just acquire equipment slowly as it pops up on CL or where ever, and take your time piecing the rig together as time can get you good gear for low prices. You already have an HT, so if the stereo music bug bites you too bad until then, just switch the processing to two channel to hold you over. IMO, buying gear you would only upgrade just to put a rig together isn't worth it.

wutadumsn23

concealer404 wrote: »

What's your projected budget for everything Jeff?

Source, preamp, amp, cables?

Honestly I'm not sure I think I am just gonna pick stuff up as I see/can afford it. Was just wondering what people would recommend so I knew what I was looking for.

danger boy wrote: »

Steve. reread his post, please..

he says "in no way am I looking to put together a $10,000 system"

with or without the Tsi500's

Thanks for helping clear that up Al, lol.

steveinaz wrote: »

Oh hell, I'm a dumbass, I thought it said he wanted a $10G system.

Sorry fellers, I did turn 48 this week...LOL @ myself.

It's all good Steve.

comfortablycurt wrote: »

I've been waiting for the 2 channel bug to catch you.:cool:


Now you can start to see why my HT rig has been completely disassembled.;)

Ya know, if you sold off your HT gear, you'd have a pretty penny to put together a nice 2 channel rig.:)

LOL Curt, it was only a matter of time, esp. after last weeks Seattle get together, it bit me hard. No way am I selling my HT man, I love having my own personal movie theater, lol.

kcoc321 wrote: »

NOT a chance in heLL that is ever gunna happen....Rosie would REALLY tighten his nits...LOL

LOL, very true. She would kill me if I sold my HT, I am never gonna live down that whole loose nuts thing am I?

zingo wrote: »

Jeff, just acquire equipment slowly as it pops up on CL or where ever, and take your time piecing the rig together as time can get you good gear for low prices. You already have an HT, so if the stereo music bug bites you too bad until then, just switch the processing to two channel to hold you over. IMO, buying gear you would only upgrade just to put a rig together isn't worth it.

Yeah, that's my plan Jake, slow and steady. Hey, you know what would be a good start? You can sell me that sweet **** amp you had at the meet for say $20?? I'll even let you pay for shipping!!

Thanks for the advice guys, just getting started here so I am gonna take it slow. I'll keep my eye on CL and Epray, maybe I'll get lucky.

-Jeff

kcoc321

I would say TUBES BEBE..!!!!
And maybe an decent 2 channel Amp.

PS: and no you won't live that down...at least this week or two...hehe
Look at it this way..IF I hadn't thought to check the NUTS...you would have been chasen gremlins for a week.....So I saved you money...not a bad price to pay for a little ribbing...heh?

cnh

Jeff,

This is going to take some time and money...a lot of guys above are going to rant and rave about 'tubes' but you don't really need tubes with TSI-500s and they're 'costly' even used.

You're going to need to first buy a power amp. You can run the TSI-500s for a while off your Onkyo as a pre...that'll just give you the first taste.

You're going to need a dedicated SACD/CD that DOES NOT cost a FORTUNE! The guys here will take you bankrupt--if you let them. Get a used Denon DVD 3910 for now! That will be better than anything you currently have and cheap!

Next you will want to get a good pre-amp....there you can consider a cheap tube unit if you can get it used. But a good budget SS option for around 600 used would be an Adcom 750.

All of this together will give you a nice mid-grad system for NO MORE than 1200-1500 dollars! That's a reasonable price...and that's what I am doing! I haven't yet lost my mind....nor am I looking for a 'divorce'? Ha, ha!

Of course a nice touch to all of this would be to step up to SDA 2Bs or 1Cs which will add a few hundred more--you've heard the SDA effect and you know what it does! My system is built around 2Bs that I got for a steal and the Lightman delivered to Pa from N.C. Thanks again, Russ!

DISCLAIMER: of course 'you' should listen to all this--before someone jumps in here and adds THAT!

cnh

kcoc321

well chn, I said tubes because we put the TSi500's on my tube buffer this weekend and it made a noticeable enrichment to the sound of them. But I also do agree a Good strong amp is a close 2nd, IMO.

comfortablycurt

One recommendation I could make, is a Denon 2910 universal player as a source. That's what I'm using in my 2 channel rig, and it sounds great. It's a fantastic SACD player, and does an excellent job with Redbook as well. It also offers HDCD decoding. That may or may not be an issue for you, but it was for me. I have lots of HDCD's. The 2910's can be had for pretty cheap too, if you shop around the 'gon.


If you do it right, you can put together an excellent sounding stereo, for not a lot of money. Altogether, I've only invested around $1000 in my 2 channel rig...and I'm simply ecstatic about the way it sounds. Every time I sit down to listen to music on it, I can just get lost for hours at a time. I can't wait to hear how much better it gets once I start my next round of upgrades.:D

wutadumsn23

kcoc321 wrote: »

I would say TUBES BEBE..!!!!
And maybe an decent 2 channel Amp.

PS: and no you won't live that down...at least this week or two...hehe
Look at it this way..IF I hadn't thought to check the NUTS...you would have been chasen gremlins for a week.....So I saved you money...not a bad price to pay for a little ribbing...heh?

LOL, that is very true, I'd have those things in pieces by now no doubt.

cnh wrote: »

Jeff,

This is going to take some time and money...a lot of guys above are going to rant and rave about 'tubes' but you don't really need tubes with TSI-500s and they're 'costly' even used.

You're going to need to first buy a power amp. You can run the TSI-500s for a while off your Onkyo as a pre...that'll just give you the first taste.

You're going to need a dedicated SACD/CD that DOES NOT cost a FORTUNE! The guys here will take you bankrupt--if you let them. Get a used Denon DVD 3910 for now! That will be better than anything you currently have and cheap!

Next you will want to get a good pre-amp....there you can consider a cheap tube unit if you can get it used. But a good budget SS option for around 600 used would be an Adcom 750.

All of this together will give you a nice mid-grad system for NO MORE than 1200-1500 dollars! That's a reasonable price...and that's what I am doing! I haven't yet lost my mind....nor am I looking for a 'divorce'? Ha, ha!

Of course a nice touch to all of this would be to step up to SDA 2Bs or 1Cs which will add a few hundred more--you've heard the SDA effect and you know what it does! My system is built around 2Bs that I got for a steal and the Lightman delivered to Pa from N.C. Thanks again, Russ!

DISCLAIMER: of course 'you' should listen to all this--before someone jumps in here and adds THAT!

cnh

Thanks for the great advice C, do you have any idea how my PS3 would work as my source. I was really hoping to get it in the mix last weekend, but never had time. I am taking my time with this and appreciate the advice.

kcoc321 wrote: »

well chn, I said tubes because we put the TSi500's on my tube buffer this weekend and it made a noticeable enrichment to the sound of them. But I also do agree a Good strong amp is a close 2nd, IMO.

Man did it ever, it really brought my 70's to life as well, that's where this whole journey started, lol. That and those sweet Monitor 5's.

-Jeff

cnh

kcoc321 wrote: »

well chn, I said tubes because we put the TSi500's on my tube buffer this weekend and it made a noticeable enrichment to the sound of them. But I also do agree a Good strong amp is a close 2nd, IMO.

No problem....I agree fully!

cnh

kcoc321

Jeff, I wonder how the PS3 would work as a transport and and a DAC? That DAC that Jeff/bikerboy had was pretty sweet, and if you are at all handy, relatively inexpensive. He was just using a transport out of a boom box, I think.

Bet that would add a bunch...or the Cambridge Audio DacMagic are only $429 new...that was the next for me, until I saw/ heard Jeff's

More for the list...hehe

cnh

I think Kcoc321 has a good idea there....I have a PS3 as well, and as you know it can be used as a transport and a server, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic has gotten great reviews for a budget DAC! That might work 'well'?

I've thought about this option myself in the past.

Hey, Jeff, don't you HAVE a PS3 that can play SACDs already??

cnh

wutadumsn23

kcoc321 wrote: »

Jeff, I wonder how the PS3 would work as a transport and and a DAC? That DAC that Jeff/bikerboy had was pretty sweet, and if you are at all handy, relatively inexpensive. He was just using a transport out of a boom box, I think.

Bet that would add a bunch...or the Cambridge Audio DacMagic are only $429 new...that was the next for me, until I saw/ heard Jeff's

More for the list...hehe

Man that thing was sweet, paired with Jake's amp. They were amazing. I have never done any tinkering with the PS3 as a source for music, only HT, so I have no idea. What do I need to do to try it out and see?

cnh wrote: »

I think Kcoc321 has a good idea there....I have a PS3 as well, and as you know it can be used as a transport and a server, the Cambridge Audio DacMagic has gotten great reviews for a budget DAC! That might work 'well'?

I've thought about this option myself in the past.

Hey, Jeff, don't you HAVE a PS3 that can play SACDs already??

cnh

Yes, my first gen 80GB has SACD playback, another thing I was hoping to try at the meet, but I don't know if anyone had any SACD's there. Besides, as good as the DAC and amp sounded, there was no way anybody was gonna let me try my PS3, lol.

-Jeff

cnh

Ok,

I'm going to go out on the limb here and say that the PS3 you have probably has a pretty good transport--those things are built fairly well. You would hook the CAM DAC to the toslink out on the Sony...and use the analog R/L outs from the DACs into your AVR or Pre? It's really unbelievably 'easy'!

cnh

wutadumsn23

Does sound easy, now all I need is a DAC of some sort, lol. Wonder if I could find something local/otherwise to demo? What input would I hook the DAC to on my 806?

-Jeff

cnh

DAC in to toslink SONY OUT...DAC analog out to L/R Analog CD in on the Onkyo. You're done! Yep!

I'd recommend putting the Onkyo in the PURE or DIRECT mode...can't remember which term they use since I get crossed up between my Denon and my Onkyo?

cnh

wutadumsn23

What about adding a tube pre like kcoc suggested? How much would that run me and how would that enter in the mix. Sorry man, it's like day one all over again, lol.

-Jeff

kcoc321

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

Does sound easy, now all I need is a DAC of some sort, lol. Wonder if I could find something local/otherwise to demo? What input would I hook the DAC to on my 806?

-Jeff

anyone, except phono, if you have that.
I use the CD one, just to keep track..I have my DVD on digital and the analog outs thru the buffer and then in thru the 'cd'

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

What about adding a tube pre like kcoc suggested? How much would that run me and how would that enter in the mix. Sorry man, it's like day one all over again, lol.
-Jeff

mine from Grant Fidelity is $125 shipped plus the $3 VIP membership.
There is also the Yaqin CD2, which is basically he same, just not "as tight as specs" on eBay for around $110 plus shipping. There is a thread a bit back where I had a discssion about them. I went with the GF cuz I really liked the guy, Ian, and also I wanted silver. matches my receiver.

just remembered (its late) you can also run the buffer thru the tape out loop, and it will buffer everything (2 channel) but I have not tried/ compared that, yet.

wutadumsn23

Sweet, thanks man. Time to do some research.

-Jeff

lightman1

You need to set fire to the whole pile of junk and go Bose................
PM me your address and I'll send you a little tube buffer I modded to get your feets wet. Nothing fancy but a nice place to start. Cool?