Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ajdma2za on March 28, 2011, 08:43:56 PM
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I'm looking for a component CD player, Pre-Amp, and a Line conditioner, in order of importance.
I'm currently using a PS3 for my audio.
My system is:
Klipsch RF-83
Klipsch RC-64
Klipsch RS-7
Klipsch RB-81
Klipsch RT-10D
Sunfire True Sub Mark II
Denon AVR-4308
Parasound 5250
I want a CD player I'm actually going to hear a difference vs the PS3. I had a California Audio Labs Icon MK II that I sold on Ebay, because it didn't to me, sound better than the PS3. Tom has suggested a Myriad T-20 which I'm more than willing to try, but on a budget of about $500, is that the best I can score?
Should I be interested in a Pre-Amp too? AVSforums hasn't given me much advice, instead most people are arguing about things, and it's kind of annoying.
The last thing I'm interested in is a line conditioner. I'm not really buying into Paramax and Monster, so where should I be looking? Is line filtration important? My local home theater guru (Audio Classics--home of McIntosh) tells me that anything above "stage 1" of line filtration isn't important. Whats the opinion of people here?
Let me know.
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I run a Carver 390t, but I suggest a newer Jolida 100. I'm hunting one for the right price now and I've heard them. Very accurate. However...the Carver 390t and 490t are great players also. Think..."TUBES"!!!! 8) :P 8)
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The carver 490T sounds nice, but only one on ebay, and its near $800 lol. The Jolida 100 is cheaper, around $350. Any reason for that?
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The stuff you are running is nice!!
Are you using the analog out of the PS3 (assuming it has one) or the digital out to your Denon?
I'd say don't waste your money on power conditioning. I've got a bunch of Monster and Panamax stuff just for the convenience of having lots of plug ins and the hope of surge protection.
What's wrong with the preamp on your Denon? I have a 4308CI pushing Klipsch speakers and think it sounds very good in comparison to the other separates systems I have.
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I'd say don't waste your money on power conditioning.
...Agree...money better spent elsewhere.
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I will have a Carver SD/A-450 here in about five days. That is a budget player that sounds great. Also look for a Philips CD-80.
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What about an Oppo 95? I've read good things about that. If I wanted to go up to $1000, is that the best option? Also what else would my money be better spent on?
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Jolida!
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I agree with bmwr75. Your current gear probably sounds FAR from horrible.
Line conditioning, schmine conditioning.
CD Player? When a deal pops up, snag it. If you don't like how it sounds, sell it. Eventually, you'll find one you dig. Don't be in a hurry, and have fun!
A pre-amp? You should get one when your needs or interests necessitate one. :o :o
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For line conditioning (whether you think that makes a difference in sonics or not) or convenient power surge protection, I highly recommend the APC H10 or H15. Reasonably priced without any hype.
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True. Don't take my word for it. I may have absurdly clean power (Thanks, Carl!). You may hear or even think you hear a difference. The two latter cases are typically equivalent. ;D ;D
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I'm running a 490t as well......rolling different tubes right now.....THAT I can tell you is fun ;D.......If I was buying new I'd look at the Jolida.....
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What exactly are you trying to accomplish as I see your rig as one geared toward HT rather than 2 channel.
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I agree with f1nut, you are geared toward HT. Buy a great DAC with that money and use your PS3 as the transport and you will also be able to process your digital media off of a computer, Apple TV or whatever... CDs are on their way out!!! And power conditioners make a difference. Welcome to our madness.
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Power conditioners make a difference.. In this house due to the way the wiring is, if my wife runs a blender, or electric knife, if my gear is plugged in to my Monster power hts-3600 I can not tell... If, not plugged in to the power filter, I get a rumble through the amp!!
Anyone in doubt, is welcome to come hear it.
So, try to buy a used one, if you don't need it or like it just sell it on epay.
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As far as a cd player, I like the idea of buying a DAC and using the PS3. I have a Oppo 83 and it sounds great + it plays sacd. My dad the jolida everyone is recommending and I like it too. I've never compared them side by side, so I can't tell you which sounds better, but the jolida is much quicker to read the cd.
As far as a line conditioner... I would only worry about it if you have known electrical issues in the house. Are you getting any noise through your system? At one point I was getting a bunch of noise through an amp on my basement system. I through in a line conditioner and the problem was fixed.
As far as a preamp, I personally would go for it. The preamp is the most important piece of gear in your system... and by that I mean it will affect your sound more than anything other than speakers. I've had experience running several receivers as preamps (most similar to yours would be a NAD T-763) and the system always sounded better once I replaced the receiver with a similar value pre. I'm not sure what your price range is, but something like this Outlaw (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1305935792&/Outlaw-990-Great-gear (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1305935792&/Outlaw-990-Great-gear)) would be a nice start. Others to look into are B&K, NAD, Anthem, and Rotel.
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Agree - preamps and receivers-as-preamps are not the same thing, preamps bring soundstage, noise floor improvements etc. (assuming you get a good one), a receiver as pre is good way to improve power output if your receiver is weak, but sound will probably remain the same otherwise.
It is also a pain in the rear to try to get a home theater optimized for two-channel music. I gave up on that and went with two separate systems. Saves you money in that you will stop searching (meaning spending cash) for ways to make a home theater rig do stereo-system tricks, a never-ending mission, IMO.
Regards,
OBG
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Consider having an electrician run a dedicated circut or more to your system and amp(s). Cheaper than a good conditioner and made a difference in my system (2 ch and Theater). Try running your CD player/DAC direct to the amp if the player has a volume control, even if just to hear how it sounds. In my 2 channel system the difference with out the premap, vs with it was noticible (and I have a very nice preamp). I cannot live permanently with out the pre, but at least you'll know how good the CD player can sound.