Author Topic: My tuition > My expenses.  (Read 9096 times)

SunnyDaze

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My tuition > My expenses.
« on: May 02, 2010, 11:18:29 PM »
Well, here she is. I splurged today and spent $100 on a set of "brand new" used Infinity Beta 10's on CL. These (maybe temporarily) replaced the Entra I's. Also, I will admit that cable clutter is an absolute pet peeve. A clean and simple system is a happy system.

What you're looking at, from top to bottom:

Yamaha RX-395 Tuner - I picked this up for $40 on CL. I use it for FM.

Onkyo P-304 Preamplifier - I snagged it on eBay for $120.

Yamaha YP-450 Turntable with Grado Gold cartridge / styli - "If you can fix this old thing, it's yours..."

Dual CS 604 Turntable with Shure M-something or rather cartridge - Again, $20 on CL. It didn't work. I pulled an all nighter rectifying that dilemma.

Onkyo DX-390 CD Player - I paid $99 for it, refurbished. They've got Wolfson VLA DAC's onboard. They don't sound too bad.

Onkyo M-504 Amplifier - $400 on eBay. In that price range, nothing compares. (I may be starting a war here with all the Carver folks - SORRY!)  8)

Infinity Beta 10's on 32" stands - I picked these up from a guy on CL who bought them two years ago...
...And let them accumulate dust in a corner for two years.

KEF AV-1 Subwoofer - I paid $50 on CL for this improperly advertised sub. I got it home and looked it up online with the correct model number to find that it sold for $3500 half a decade ago. WIN!

What you're not looking at:

Monster cable interconnects and speaker cables. If you comprehend the laws of physics, you don't sweat not being able to afford Kimber Cable.









Let me know what yinz think!
« Last Edit: May 03, 2010, 02:27:13 AM by SunnyDaze »

Offline OCCD

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2010, 11:42:16 PM »
Awesome set you have there. ;D
Do you want ants? Because THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS!

SunnyDaze

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2010, 11:54:48 PM »
Why thank you, thank you very much!

Offline Falcon

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2010, 01:39:01 AM »
Nice, that sub looks huge. Love the M-504 amp.

Offline thuffman03

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2010, 09:51:00 AM »
Very nice setup!
Got Carver?

Offline Reverend

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2010, 10:02:50 AM »
Looks like the basement I lived in on 1st street by the boat launch.  I definitely didn't have a system like yours back then.  Very cool!

BB3

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2010, 10:00:34 AM »
SunnyDaze,

I'm Lovin' That Setup You've Got Going On There. Very Nice Indeed Sir.

----BILL(BB3)

Offline paden501

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2010, 12:55:47 PM »
Sweet setup!
~Matt
--- My System ---
Front L/R: Polk Audio SDA-1C w/ Modified xovers
Amp: Carver TFM-24
CD: Jolida JD100a
HTR/Pre: B&K Reference 20
Turntable:Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As

OldiesButGoodies

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2010, 09:43:33 PM »
I love the M-504 - will probably get another one using some excuse soon.  I think I saw that KEF sub on CL too and was on my way to Vintage Audio north on I79 passing Bridgeville thinking "I should stop by here and get that KEF,  but it has too be too good to be true..."  - so good for you!!!  One of those CL aberrations.

Looks great!

Offline mikey813

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2010, 11:16:40 PM »
Great Setup SunnyDaze  ;D ;D
True Image CM-2500, Terra Song SS-1, Denon       DCD-1520, Sony CA8es, Kef K140, Definitive Technology DR-7
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SunnyDaze

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2010, 02:06:28 AM »
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the time yinz spent checking my stuff out.

Yeah. This is indeed the infamous Bridgeville KEF. The KEF amp fried right after I picked it up. That's okay by me. I purchased a BASH 500W RMS plate amplifier via Parts-Express. I know what you're thinking... YOU CUT INTO THAT KEF? No. I didn't. I actually built a separate housing for the plate amp. I'll throw a picture of that up as well.

« Last Edit: June 28, 2010, 11:42:24 PM by SunnyDaze »

SunnyDaze

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2010, 02:17:54 AM »
Here it is, the BASH amplifier in the DIY housing that I created for it. I haven't mounted the amp in with screws yet. These last few weeks have been pretty hectic with finals creeping in. Now I've got free time! It didn't turn out to be as aesthetically unappealing as I had anticipated.

Also, I was slightly hesitant in the sense that this 500W RMS wouldn't be a genuine rating. I can't turn the gain up beyond 1/4 of the way without the bass becoming significantly greater than the rest of the audible range. I've tried my best to integrate the sub into the system using the SPL indicator on my digital multimeter. All in all, if a track was recorded / mastered with little / no bass, you hear little / no bass. If a track or recording was mastered with ample bass, you hear and feel ample bass.




« Last Edit: June 28, 2010, 11:49:32 PM by SunnyDaze »

Offline Slim-Shaddy

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2010, 08:12:41 AM »
looks nice!
I am confident that an SL-1200 is capable of outperforming turntables of much higher expense with minor modification.

Offline Kingman

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2010, 09:22:57 PM »
Looks great!!!   8) 8) 8)
IN REALITY IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO YOU!!!!!

Offline OCCD

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Re: My tuition > My expenses.
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2010, 11:40:40 PM »
Very nice! ;D
Do you want ants? Because THAT'S HOW YOU GET ANTS!