Author Topic: Tonedeaf's HT/audio set up (Read 61695 times)

audiojunkie · « **Reply #240 on:** Apr 06, 2014 at 01:00 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on Apr 06, 2014 at 07:15 AM

Better than the one for Marantz? The reason I'm still including the 326bee in the mix, btw, is that it costs less than the Brio or the PM5004 even if I add cost for separate phono stage.

@audiojunkie, no phono input for my 1713 =)

So, Denon dropped the photo function in their new AVR lines....

Separate phono preamp is another option ....

tonedeaf · « **Reply #241 on:** Apr 06, 2014 at 02:16 PM »

Quote from: audiojunkie on Apr 06, 2014 at 01:00 PM

Separate phono preamp is another option ....

Cheaper too.. Hahaha.

tonedeaf · « **Reply #242 on:** Apr 06, 2014 at 07:18 PM »

New resolution - I'm going to home audition some of the stereo integrated amps I listed (NAD and Rega, if possible), see if I can hear any difference between these and my AVR. If none, I'm buying a phono preamp + turntable instead

In the meantime, mindful of my moratorium on spending any more this year on HT

1. I resurrected my WD TV:

Kudos to WD, since it's basically been gathering dust since 2010 and it just up and started like the last 4 years of neglect never happened

. It's working well so far, though BD menus don't work and there is no option to "chapter-select".

2. I got a Pioneer BDP-3120 and paid for it using my credit card points. I had to donate my DVD player (Pioneer DV-420) to my parents since my Pio DV-266 which they were using is now acting up. Here goes:

Except for the fact that this thing can play Blu-rays, I must say that I might just miss my DV-420. Put up a short review here --->http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,190410.0.html

I will update as I go along. In the meantime, I'm enjoying this:

Courage · « **Reply #243 on:** Apr 06, 2014 at 07:39 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on Apr 06, 2014 at 07:18 PM

New resolution - I'm going to home audition some of the stereo integrated amps I listed (NAD and Rega, if possible), see if I can hear any difference between these and my AVR. If none, I'm buying a phono preamp + turntable instead

In the meantime, mindful of my moratorium on spending any more this year on HT

1. I resurrected my WD TV:

Kudos to WD, since it's basically been gathering dust since 2010 and it just up and started like the last 4 years of neglect never happened . It's working well so far, though BD menus don't work and there is no option to "chapter-select".

2. I got a Pioneer BDP-3120 and paid for it using my credit card points. I had to donate my DVD player (Pioneer DV-420) to my parents since my Pio DV-266 which they were using is now acting up. Here goes:

Except for the fact that this thing can play Blu-rays, I must say that I might just miss my DV-420. Put up a short review here --->http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,190410.0.html

I will update as I go along. In the meantime, I'm enjoying this:

Wow, new toy.. Congrats mam on your new BD player..

tonedeaf · « **Reply #244 on:** Apr 09, 2014 at 08:56 PM »

Revamped my 1st post

Also, I returned my Pioneer BDP-3120 and got a BDP-3220K instead because the 3120 was region-locked to R3 DVDs. Very nice customer service from SM Appliance Center in SM Makati.

DTNS · « **Reply #245 on:** Apr 09, 2014 at 09:00 PM »

Congrats!

tonedeaf · « **Reply #246 on:** Apr 18, 2014 at 08:52 PM »

Cross-posting:

it's looking like i want a turntable

- most likely a Rega RP3, maybe a Technics 1200 or RP1 if things don't work out.

My receiver is a Denon 1713, which has no phono input.

Been reading the threads here just to have an idea of what i'm getting into, if i proceed with this course of action. Baka mamaya di pala kaya ng current set up ko.

I arrived at 2 options.

Option 1 - Tipid mode option - approximate budget: 10K or less, in addition to cost of turntable

1. buy a phono preamp which should handle both MM and MC cartridges (looking at Rega or NAD); and
2. interconnects (not the expensive ones

).

Option 2 - Not so tipid mode - approximate budget - 28-30K, on top of cost of turntable

1. Buy a phono pre-amp from NAD/Rega;
2. Buy a stereo amp;
3. Interconnects; and
4. Amp switcher.

Budget will be closer to 28-30K if I get a NAD 326BEE (which doesn't have a phone input) + a phono pre-amp.

If I buy the Rega Brio R or the Marantz PM6004, I can opt to use the built in phono stage. Budget will still be in the 28-30K range as the 2 are more expensive than the 326BEE. Dunno how comparable the built in phono input is though, versus a dedicated one.

Questions -

1. Will the 2 options above already make my turntable work? Or am I forgetting something?
2. Would the sub-10K models of phone pre-amps from NAD and Rega suffice, for my purposes?
3. Assuming Option 1, where would I connect the phone pre-amp to my receiver? Right now kasi, my CD player is connected to the RCA input marked as Cbl/Sat. So I just use the RCA input marked as DVD? Yung DVD/blu ray player ko kasi, connected via HDMI.

Superman · « **Reply #247 on:** Apr 18, 2014 at 09:16 PM »

Since you're getting a Rega TT then you can get also a Rega amp...they're definitely perfectly matched!

redstarrising · « **Reply #248 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 08:36 AM »

Congrats for new stuff

Nelson de Leon · « **Reply #249 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 09:03 AM »

Kung ako, tipid mode muna. See if magustuhan mo talaga yun turntable. But even in tipid mode, it doesn't end there kapag turntables ang pinaguusapan. Ang daming pwedeng upgrades sa turntable. master Jen is a witness. Hehe! Then if you really love it after 5-8 months, you can dispose your phono preamp naman. May mga sellers naman dito sa PDvd ng pre-loved turntables and phono preamp.

Or you can get an integrated steteo amplifier na may phonostage na para no need to buy a seperate phono preamp.

redstarrising · « **Reply #250 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 10:05 AM »

para sa akin tipid mode option 1 muna lalo na kung satisfy kana sa current set up at sa two channel sound.

, you can connect your phono to any inputs of your receiver kung may spare pa.

Courage · « **Reply #251 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 10:25 AM »

Quote from: Nelson de Leon on Apr 19, 2014 at 09:03 AM

Kung ako, tipid mode muna. See if magustuhan mo talaga yun turntable. But even in tipid mode, it doesn't end there kapag turntables ang pinaguusapan. Ang daming pwedeng upgrades sa turntable. master Jen is a witness. Hehe! Then if you really love it after 5-8 months, you can dispose your phono preamp naman. May mga sellers naman dito sa PDvd ng pre-loved turntables and phono preamp.

Or you can get an integrated steteo amplifier na may phonostage na para no need to buy a seperate phono preamp.

+1 and Tipid mode.. se if you will really like a TT setup... Then you go from there.. Madali na mag upgrade kapag may budget na to get what you really want...

Also try to audition some good setup from members.. Madami dyan... i heard mykels Turntable setup and it was amazing.. we compared it with his CD and Digital setup same song content and nanalo SQ wise yung turntable ang galing...

tonedeaf · « **Reply #252 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 06:54 PM »

@redstarrising, Courage and Nelson,

you're right, it is more prudent to go with Option 1 first. Baka nake-carried away lang ako with the thought of getting a turntable. Lalo na at ni isang plaka wala ako

in fact, i was thinking to myself, what if i just wait until next year (my original timetable) before i go the turntable route. nasasayangan lang ako kasi may good deal on the RP3 which is what I intend to buy anyway. Ang hirap!!!

Courage · « **Reply #253 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 07:14 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on Apr 19, 2014 at 06:54 PM

@redstarrising, Courage and Nelson,

you're right, it is more prudent to go with Option 1 first. Baka nake-carried away lang ako with the thought of getting a turntable. Lalo na at ni isang plaka wala ako

in fact, i was thinking to myself, what if i just wait until next year (my original timetable) before i go the turntable route. nasasayangan lang ako kasi may good deal on the RP3 which is what I intend to buy anyway. Ang hirap!!!

He he he resist the Temptation..

Sit back, turn on your gears and listen.. Do some critical listening and hear what's missing, what you dont like and what you possibly need..

From there you can decide ano ba dapat pag ipunan..

Nabili ko mga gusto kong Audio gears not overnight but 2 years. Pinakinggan kong mabuti kung anong kulang, anong gusto kong tunog at anong kelangan ko... Non stop audition and comparison is the key..

tonedeaf · « **Reply #254 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 07:25 PM »

@Courage,

Sadly, di ko kaya ang 2 years. Months or weeks lang. No EQ.

The only reason why I didn't change my gears for years, is because I never seriously thought of changing them. Pero late last year, I decided I want a new receiver and a new TV. After I got the money, pulled the plug on both.

Ang unplanned ko, speakers (which I decided on after maybe 2-3 weeks, and only 4 auditions) and CD player (1 home audition, and even lesser period). Kung may stocks lang si Epoy of AA ng Dali Zensor 5 last February, di na ako nakarating ng Watts Hi Fi at di ko na nabili ang B6. Hahaha.

Courage · « **Reply #255 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 07:26 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on Apr 19, 2014 at 07:25 PM

@Courage,

Sadly, di ko kaya ang 2 years. Months or weeks lang. No EQ.

The only reason why I didn't change my gears for years, is because I never seriously thought of changing them. Pero late last year, I decided I want a new receiver and a new TV. After I got the money, pulled the plug on both.

Ang unplanned ko, speakers (which I decided on after maybe 2-3 weeks, and only 4 auditions) and CD player (1 home audition, and even lesser period). Kung may stocks lang si Epoy of AA ng Dali Zensor 5 last February, di na ako nakarating ng Watts Hi Fi at di ko na nabili ang B6. Hahaha.

He he he.. if that's the case.. then go buy what you really want he he he... Para masaya na agad.. That would i do if i were you he he he...

BongerDude · « **Reply #256 on:** Apr 19, 2014 at 09:02 PM »

Sent you PM re: GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)

backdraft · « **Reply #257 on:** Apr 29, 2014 at 04:36 AM »

hi maam, neat setup you have there!

how did you hide the cables for the tv and receiver?

tonedeaf · « **Reply #258 on:** Apr 29, 2014 at 12:49 PM »

Quote from: backdraft on Apr 29, 2014 at 04:36 AM

hi maam, neat setup you have there!

how did you hide the cables for the tv and receiver?

There's a pipe on (or buried inside) wall where the cables from TV to receiver will pass. Right now, just the power cord of the TV and 2 hdmi cables.

Pros - neat, wires not visible.

Cons - hard to change cables. I have to remove TV from wall mount if I need to replace cables (for example, when I first changed from component video to hdmi or if I want to replace my current hdmi with another). I changed TVs recently, and it's a good thing the power cord is the detachable kind (e.g. Can be unplugged from TV side) because the power cord portion will be hard to fit and maneuver inside the pipe, since it already has 2 hdmi cables.

tonedeaf · « **Reply #259 on:** Apr 30, 2014 at 04:32 PM »

Since I couldn't decide whether to buy a turntable, an integrated amp or an AVR, I decided to get a La-Z Boy recliner instead

. My current chair for HT use was disintegrating and I couldn't find an upholsterer who knew what to do with it

Fabric, not leather. Slightly slimmer than most models, but not the slimmest kind (which was too expensive for me).

Mini-review: worth the money, very comfortable. The only thing I regret is that I missed the Blims promo in March which made La-Z Boys available on 0% interest for 24 months. Drat!

DTNS · « **Reply #260 on:** Apr 30, 2014 at 04:38 PM »

wow! congrats!

Oldboyracer · « **Reply #261 on:** Apr 30, 2014 at 05:59 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on Apr 30, 2014 at 04:32 PM

Since I couldn't decide whether to buy a turntable, an integrated amp or an AVR, I decided to get a La-Z Boy recliner instead . My current chair for HT use was disintegrating and I couldn't find an upholsterer who knew what to do with it

Fabric, not leather. Slightly slimmer than most models, but not the slimmest kind (which was too expensive for me).

Mini-review: worth the money, very comfortable. The only thing I regret is that I missed the Blims promo in March which made La-Z Boys available on 0% interest for 24 months. Drat!

Nice one

backdraft · « **Reply #262 on:** Apr 30, 2014 at 10:01 PM »

Quote from: tonedeaf on Apr 29, 2014 at 12:49 PM

There's a pipe on (or buried inside) wall where the cables from TV to receiver will pass. Right now, just the power cord of the TV and 2 hdmi cables.

Pros - neat, wires not visible.

Cons - hard to change cables. I have to remove TV from wall mount if I need to replace cables (for example, when I first changed from component video to hdmi or if I want to replace my current hdmi with another). I changed TVs recently, and it's a good thing the power cord is the detachable kind (e.g. Can be unplugged from TV side) because the power cord portion will be hard to fit and maneuver inside the pipe, since it already has 2 hdmi cables.

thanks for the detailed explanation ma'am! I'm trying to research more kasi on how to hide wires for my renovation plans.

btw, how much did you get the lazy boys?

Cjtjader · « **Reply #263 on:** May 01, 2014 at 12:16 AM »

Nice read! Non stop ang movement ng gears sa thread na ito!

....Congrats po!....n the meantime, enjoy your upgrades and time to re visit your music library! Cheers!

Oldboyracer · « **Reply #264 on:** May 01, 2014 at 06:56 AM »

Quote from: Cjtjader on May 01, 2014 at 12:16 AM

Nice read! Non stop ang movement ng gears sa thread na ito! ....Congrats po!....n the meantime, enjoy your upgrades and time to re visit your music library! Cheers!

Well said & good advice

tonedeaf · « **Reply #265 on:** May 01, 2014 at 11:02 AM »

Quote from: Oldboyracer on May 01, 2014 at 06:56 AM

Well said & good advice

I think I might need to declare a moratorium, due to insistent public demand =)

Very well, just 1-2 more minor things, and it's done. Moratorium it is.

Ika nga sa HIMYM "challenge accepted!"

P.S. @backdraft, sent you PM.

tonedeaf · « **Reply #266 on:** May 25, 2014 at 10:13 PM »

Since I've said no to new gears (for the time being), eto na lang pinagdiskitahan ko:

Before:

After:

Verdict: Parang may improvement naman though I cannot swear on it, since I have no more recollection of how things sounded before I put in the foams.

audiojunkie · « **Reply #267 on:** May 25, 2014 at 11:38 PM »

Nice DIY tweak...

I'm sure and swear on it, there's an improvement in SQ.

Congrats...

-mhan- · « **Reply #268 on:** May 27, 2014 at 04:27 PM »

nice DiY ma'am.

malaking tulong sa tunog yung DiY niyo po at para narin hindi mahulog yung BS niyo. ^-^just kidding.

tonedeaf · « **Reply #269 on:** May 27, 2014 at 11:30 PM »

Quote from: -mhan- on May 27, 2014 at 04:27 PM

nice DiY ma'am.

malaking tulong sa tunog yung DiY niyo po at para narin hindi mahulog yung BS niyo. ^-^just kidding.

Nyehehe. Fall-proof na nga =)

Thanks to you and @audiojunkie for the reassurance about the improved sound quality. Naiisip ko pa lang to remove all the foam again to do a comparison, napapagod na ako. Hahaha!