im just going to throw this out there. my old 1997 jvc fs-d88 (cd/cassette/radio tuner) micro audio system is crapping out. the goal in replacement would be to find a hot system that could really pump it out (when needed) that you could play your airport express delivered wireless lap through and that you could also run dvds and cable tv audio through. im crazy about those KLH kloss designed stereos but they supposedly dont have aux input for your i.pod (and therefore laptop?) im thinking about staying with jvc and this looks close to what im looking for in my price range. trying to stay very simple but take advantage of the airport express (steaming internet radio) laptop-mp3's (ipod) dvd/cd digital-cable-tv stuff. cassettes ha ha ha. i would keep the vhs player but it wouldnt need to stay permanently hooked up. then again dave would ad tivo too but ill have to wait on that.
Seems like the KLH should work with the iPod.
"The Model One's rear panel is packed with connections.
There's a switch that toggles between the unit's internal antenna and an external one. There's a DC power input, which allows you to use the Model One from a 12–16VDC power supply. There's a stereo miniplug input for a line level source, such as a CD player, and there are stereo miniplug outputs for a headphone and to transfer the tuner's (mono) output to a hi-fi system."
thanks. i must have picked up some bad info on the input jack issue.
On second read of the post I see that you're talking about a stereo but you've linked to a radio. The radio specs are what I slugged into my comment. You're looking for a stereo system, right?
the klh model two is stereo, so that covers that. but the add ons add up. sub woofer $80.00, and the cd player is $200.00. you could always use a discman with an ac adapter. yeah, im thinking about a stereo. just trying to make the tv and laptop sound better. right now im using a small sony srs-t77 mini speaker unit for the laptop. im using airport express, so i should be streaming internet radio and mp3's through the stereo wirelessly. my old stereo is crapping out and i never got around to running the tv through the old stereo. one other side note. my friend gave me his 44" sony flat screen monitor. but it has a burned out power supply. if i get it fixed i can incorporate that using the comcast digital cable box.
The new Discmen don't have a "line out" to an amplifier--only a headphone jack. Thanks, Sony.
tom dj'd with two discmen and a mix board. a very economical arrangement.
Now you got me thinking: I live in a tiny flat, my radio's crapping out, I have an iPod and turntable and today I loaded the last cd in my collection to itunes. Maybe I should celebrate and plunk down $260 on a KLH two and
subwoofer
Although turntables don't require much power amp-wise they do need more than a cd player or iPod. I wonder if the one in that radio be enough?
Probably not. Also, turntables usually have a ground wire meant to be screwed down to the back of the amp, FWIW. I think a separate component amplifier (or amp/receiver) should stll be the main hub of the home entertainment center.
isnt that what we are discussing here, a micro version of an amp/receiver w/ speakers ? if so, how much power do you need in an amp to nicely get by 20, 30, 74, 300 amps per channel (if you want to patch in the turntable too)? there is plenty of range here keeping it micro with jvc. fwiw: i find the audio assault (volume level) at movie theaters (striking a match does not have to sound like an explosion!) insulting. and not necessary to simulate with a full out 5 way home theater system. but i would like an improvement on the pair 3" (?) internal speakers in my 27" sharp teewee.
A good amp has more than volume--it gives a nice full sound. I would avoid the packaged amp-and-speakers "micro" combination and get real stuff--and the speakers don't have to be big, just good.
im down with the audio file approach. thats the whole idea. my challenge here is to find a good sounding, as compact as possible entry level system thats easy on the wallet. what would you recommend exactly? so far the systems we have discussed are coming in under $200.00, almost.
I haven't been in the market for a while. I bought an audiophile (Crown) amp 20 years ago and it's still chugging away. Yamaha makes good equipment (at least I think it still does), or even Pioneer or Sony. I would price it retail and then look on ebay. Actually I wouldn't, but that's how my musician friends keep themselves supplied with gear.
musician friends buying used equipment can trouble shoot electronic problems. most people cant. thats why joe-dad buys new. still not clear on the general power of the amp and price range for amp/tuner and speakers your talking about.
They're musicians, not electricians! General power level: if you walked into J&R or PC Richard and said, I want an amp and speakers for my home, and I'm not looking to blow out the walls here.
you know its pretty easy to just say get some real stuff tom. you sound like those guys on message boards blowing off lazy students with "do your own research slacker". fact is im pretty happy with the sound quality of the micro system i have. the only problem is the erratic volume knob. but these days getting an american to work on electronics costs about as much as new stuff from abroad. and i really dont trust electronics salesmen for the straight dope. they're just moving units.
I'm trying to help here. (If) you're asking what I'd do: I wouldn't buy a micro system, I'd go to PC Richard and look at/listen to/price "full size" gear, and then I'd look for cheap ways to get it.
growing up the cool rich kids had marantz amp/tuners. everyone had something. from a heath kit on up. i remember many homes in the 60's where the dad had made their own hi-fi equiptment. in 1967 our folks got a 3 pc KLH unit because my dad had no tech skills. it had a gerard turntable, a walnut base cabinet, an fm (only) radio and a plexi lid. and two separate beautific walnut speakers with the familiar tweed speaker cloth. I still have the speakers. they have a really warm sound. a friend has a (mid cost range) 80's sony component system that always sounded crisp yet really cold. im not buying into the whole ultra high end audio system thing and most of the component legacy pissing contest that really has no limit. i get it but i dont want it and i cant get near to affording it. ive had a jvc micro system for years that i find it totally satisfactory. it has a good sound and looks good too. i guess the old model of component systems is a good idea but mostly over priced audio overkill. besides who can crank it with out getting the thump thump thump from offended neighbors. i like the idea of integrating the tv laptop and radio, etc. but i also think this shouldnt cost much more than 200-300 smackers and look good too.
I'm not sure who you're referring to with "the whole ultra high end audio system thing and most of the component legacy pissing contest that really has no limit." I said PC Richard, not some upper east side audio boutique. Maybe your desire for something that "looks good" keeps you out of there?
"the whole ultra..." thats what the entire industry is built on.
no, its the "tell 'em anything for a sale" salesmen that keep me away. but good guess.
Their salesmen aren't that sharp. You were asking for a basic amp range, they could tell you that.
If you are willing to go over budget, spring for a separate pair of speakers with a subwoofer. Bose has some good choices. The sound will be far superior to any combo system. And buy a used hifi amp or receiver on ebay.
Closer to your budget, a high-end multimedia self-powered set up, with a pair of satellites and a subwoofer can produce amazing sound for$150. Add a passive a/v switch, and you're in business.
thanks mark. ive never heard of those a/v switch box jobs.
I was going to audition the Altec Lansing speaker I linked at my local Fry's the other night, but they coundn't get their source working.
I've used a much cheaper Altec Lansing unit in the lab, primarily with DVDs, and was surprised by the sound quality. Having a subwoofer makes a huge difference in filling out the sound with little speakers. It's really a misnomer to call it a subwoofer. Really, it's just a woofer. But low frequencies aren't very directional, so you can get buy with just one without impacting the stereo effect very much.
this is interesting / found link on boing2
I'm sure you don't want these, but I thought I'd offer anyway. I have a pair of ridiculous Polk Audio SDA-SRS 1 tower speakers in storage. These are from the late 80's. Here's a picture I found (they are the pair closest to the guy in the middle.) I know, ridiculous. Don't ask.
Need a big amp, but you're welcome to them if you want. Cabinets are in fair condition (some scratching.) Wood trim on mine is black rather than the natural color seen in the picture above.
If nothing else you can laugh at my taste from back in the day...
whoa! we in 1975 used to cal the humongo klipsch speakers dorm rockers. thats awfully generous jim.
Well, these rocked a few dorm rooms, I can tell you that!
But now they are just a burden. I'm trying to get rid of my storage space, but I can't just throw them out. On the other hand, I don't really want them. Too bad we don't have our summer country retreat going yet.
ill hold em for you till you get your place going. thanks i owe you one.
did-you-get-rid-of-these?
we-were-just-talking-about-you.
The speakers are Bill's. Can't wait for the block party.
|
- bill 1-14-2005 2:07 am
Seems like the KLH should work with the iPod.
"The Model One's rear panel is packed with connections.
There's a switch that toggles between the unit's internal antenna and an external one. There's a DC power input, which allows you to use the Model One from a 12–16VDC power supply. There's a stereo miniplug input for a line level source, such as a CD player, and there are stereo miniplug outputs for a headphone and to transfer the tuner's (mono) output to a hi-fi system."
- steve 1-15-2005 8:26 pm [add a comment]
thanks. i must have picked up some bad info on the input jack issue.
- bill 1-17-2005 12:26 am [add a comment]
On second read of the post I see that you're talking about a stereo but you've linked to a radio. The radio specs are what I slugged into my comment. You're looking for a stereo system, right?
- steve 1-17-2005 4:32 am [add a comment]
the klh model two is stereo, so that covers that. but the add ons add up. sub woofer $80.00, and the cd player is $200.00. you could always use a discman with an ac adapter. yeah, im thinking about a stereo. just trying to make the tv and laptop sound better. right now im using a small sony srs-t77 mini speaker unit for the laptop. im using airport express, so i should be streaming internet radio and mp3's through the stereo wirelessly. my old stereo is crapping out and i never got around to running the tv through the old stereo. one other side note. my friend gave me his 44" sony flat screen monitor. but it has a burned out power supply. if i get it fixed i can incorporate that using the comcast digital cable box.
- bill 1-17-2005 5:26 am [add a comment]
The new Discmen don't have a "line out" to an amplifier--only a headphone jack. Thanks, Sony.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 5:32 am [add a comment]
tom dj'd with two discmen and a mix board. a very economical arrangement.
- bill 1-17-2005 5:40 am [add a comment]
Now you got me thinking: I live in a tiny flat, my radio's crapping out, I have an iPod and turntable and today I loaded the last cd in my collection to itunes. Maybe I should celebrate and plunk down $260 on a KLH two and subwoofer
- steve 1-17-2005 8:35 am [add a comment]
Although turntables don't require much power amp-wise they do need more than a cd player or iPod. I wonder if the one in that radio be enough?
- steve 1-17-2005 9:23 am [add a comment]
Probably not. Also, turntables usually have a ground wire meant to be screwed down to the back of the amp, FWIW. I think a separate component amplifier (or amp/receiver) should stll be the main hub of the home entertainment center.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 11:23 am [add a comment]
isnt that what we are discussing here, a micro version of an amp/receiver w/ speakers ? if so, how much power do you need in an amp to nicely get by 20, 30, 74, 300 amps per channel (if you want to patch in the turntable too)? there is plenty of range here keeping it micro with jvc. fwiw: i find the audio assault (volume level) at movie theaters (striking a match does not have to sound like an explosion!) insulting. and not necessary to simulate with a full out 5 way home theater system. but i would like an improvement on the pair 3" (?) internal speakers in my 27" sharp teewee.
- bill 1-17-2005 4:15 pm [add a comment]
A good amp has more than volume--it gives a nice full sound. I would avoid the packaged amp-and-speakers "micro" combination and get real stuff--and the speakers don't have to be big, just good.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 5:59 pm [add a comment]
im down with the audio file approach. thats the whole idea. my challenge here is to find a good sounding, as compact as possible entry level system thats easy on the wallet. what would you recommend exactly? so far the systems we have discussed are coming in under $200.00, almost.
- bill 1-17-2005 6:13 pm [add a comment]
I haven't been in the market for a while. I bought an audiophile (Crown) amp 20 years ago and it's still chugging away. Yamaha makes good equipment (at least I think it still does), or even Pioneer or Sony. I would price it retail and then look on ebay. Actually I wouldn't, but that's how my musician friends keep themselves supplied with gear.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 6:28 pm [add a comment]
musician friends buying used equipment can trouble shoot electronic problems. most people cant. thats why joe-dad buys new. still not clear on the general power of the amp and price range for amp/tuner and speakers your talking about.
- bill 1-17-2005 6:39 pm [add a comment]
They're musicians, not electricians! General power level: if you walked into J&R or PC Richard and said, I want an amp and speakers for my home, and I'm not looking to blow out the walls here.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 6:55 pm [add a comment]
you know its pretty easy to just say get some real stuff tom. you sound like those guys on message boards blowing off lazy students with "do your own research slacker". fact is im pretty happy with the sound quality of the micro system i have. the only problem is the erratic volume knob. but these days getting an american to work on electronics costs about as much as new stuff from abroad. and i really dont trust electronics salesmen for the straight dope. they're just moving units.
- bill 1-17-2005 7:05 pm [add a comment]
I'm trying to help here. (If) you're asking what I'd do: I wouldn't buy a micro system, I'd go to PC Richard and look at/listen to/price "full size" gear, and then I'd look for cheap ways to get it.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 7:10 pm [add a comment]
growing up the cool rich kids had marantz amp/tuners. everyone had something. from a heath kit on up. i remember many homes in the 60's where the dad had made their own hi-fi equiptment. in 1967 our folks got a 3 pc KLH unit because my dad had no tech skills. it had a gerard turntable, a walnut base cabinet, an fm (only) radio and a plexi lid. and two separate beautific walnut speakers with the familiar tweed speaker cloth. I still have the speakers. they have a really warm sound. a friend has a (mid cost range) 80's sony component system that always sounded crisp yet really cold. im not buying into the whole ultra high end audio system thing and most of the component legacy pissing contest that really has no limit. i get it but i dont want it and i cant get near to affording it. ive had a jvc micro system for years that i find it totally satisfactory. it has a good sound and looks good too. i guess the old model of component systems is a good idea but mostly over priced audio overkill. besides who can crank it with out getting the thump thump thump from offended neighbors. i like the idea of integrating the tv laptop and radio, etc. but i also think this shouldnt cost much more than 200-300 smackers and look good too.
- bill 1-17-2005 8:19 pm [add a comment]
I'm not sure who you're referring to with "the whole ultra high end audio system thing and most of the component legacy pissing contest that really has no limit." I said PC Richard, not some upper east side audio boutique. Maybe your desire for something that "looks good" keeps you out of there?
- tom moody 1-17-2005 8:31 pm [add a comment]
"the whole ultra..." thats what the entire industry is built on.
no, its the "tell 'em anything for a sale" salesmen that keep me away. but good guess.
- bill 1-17-2005 8:39 pm [add a comment]
Their salesmen aren't that sharp. You were asking for a basic amp range, they could tell you that.
- tom moody 1-17-2005 8:51 pm [add a comment]
If you are willing to go over budget, spring for a separate pair of speakers with a subwoofer. Bose has some good choices. The sound will be far superior to any combo system. And buy a used hifi amp or receiver on ebay.
Closer to your budget, a high-end multimedia self-powered set up, with a pair of satellites and a subwoofer can produce amazing sound for$150. Add a passive a/v switch, and you're in business.
- mark 1-18-2005 9:46 am [add a comment]
thanks mark. ive never heard of those a/v switch box jobs.
- bill 1-22-2005 5:55 am [add a comment]
I was going to audition the Altec Lansing speaker I linked at my local Fry's the other night, but they coundn't get their source working.
I've used a much cheaper Altec Lansing unit in the lab, primarily with DVDs, and was surprised by the sound quality. Having a subwoofer makes a huge difference in filling out the sound with little speakers. It's really a misnomer to call it a subwoofer. Really, it's just a woofer. But low frequencies aren't very directional, so you can get buy with just one without impacting the stereo effect very much.
- mark 1-22-2005 10:18 am [add a comment]
this is interesting / found link on boing2
- bill 1-26-2005 8:44 pm [add a comment]
I'm sure you don't want these, but I thought I'd offer anyway. I have a pair of ridiculous Polk Audio SDA-SRS 1 tower speakers in storage. These are from the late 80's. Here's a picture I found (they are the pair closest to the guy in the middle.) I know, ridiculous. Don't ask.
Need a big amp, but you're welcome to them if you want. Cabinets are in fair condition (some scratching.) Wood trim on mine is black rather than the natural color seen in the picture above.
If nothing else you can laugh at my taste from back in the day...
- jim 1-31-2005 10:26 pm [add a comment]
Jim, I would love to get those Polk's, email me at rabernathy @ aseng dot com Thanks
- anonymous (guest) 2-10-2005 7:47 pm [add a comment] [edit]
whoa! we in 1975 used to cal the humongo klipsch speakers dorm rockers. thats awfully generous jim.
- bill 1-31-2005 10:43 pm [add a comment]
Well, these rocked a few dorm rooms, I can tell you that!
But now they are just a burden. I'm trying to get rid of my storage space, but I can't just throw them out. On the other hand, I don't really want them. Too bad we don't have our summer country retreat going yet.
- jim 1-31-2005 10:48 pm [add a comment]
ill hold em for you till you get your place going. thanks i owe you one.
- bill 1-31-2005 10:58 pm [add a comment]
did-you-get-rid-of-these?
- anonymous (guest) 3-20-2005 7:06 am [add a comment] [edit]
we-were-just-talking-about-you.
- bill 3-20-2005 10:40 am [add a comment]
The speakers are Bill's. Can't wait for the block party.
- jim 3-20-2005 5:39 pm [add a comment]