The ask Tin about audio thread

Which speakers are those? Are those the Insignia coaxials that were popular a few years back, or actual KEFs or something similar?
 
Yep, theyre the Insignias...very nice speaker for the money. Best Buy no longer carries them anymore, but when they did, they were easily the best speaker out for $100...and then some.
 
Yeah, I tried a pair out at the time but returned them. Sounded really good but seemed to be finicky about placement for bass response. Perfect for a desktop application though!
 
I wish they still sold them, Id have no trouble recommending them to people for something thats good and cheap. The way it stands now with the stuff thats out there, its really hard finding something decent unless one wants to spend the money. If you get something good that you really enjoy, itll be a one time purchase, and youll get many years of use out of em.
 
Awwww shit, looks like Heathkit is getting back in the audio biz. Alot of their older stuff is highly sought after these days. You know whos gonna get one once they become available :D. Their kits were usually much lower in price, and often better sounding than pre-built components from competing manufacturers at the time. This would be a good chance for some people to get into vacuum tubes. Their manuals are very well laid out, and make the assembly a snap.

http://www.heathkit.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=243
 
Id take the NHTs over the KLHs any day of the week. Those KLHs are nice, but not really vintage, theyre only about 10 years old. Lots of people like them, at $35 for the pair, its a risk well worth taking. Worst case scenario, you sell them and make your money back.
 
Tin said:
Awwww shit, looks like Heathkit is getting back in the audio biz. Alot of their older stuff is highly sought after these days. You know whos gonna get one once they become available :D. Their kits were usually much lower in price, and often better sounding than pre-built components from competing manufacturers at the time. This would be a good chance for some people to get into vacuum tubes. Their manuals are very well laid out, and make the assembly a snap.

http://www.heathkit.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=243
Click to expand...

Been wanting one of these for years. Hopefully they re-release the kit:

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/62
 
Looks like theyre doing amateur radio kits again too, your wish may come true. Theyre open to suggestions, put one in the box and see what happens ;)
 
I think its time for an update on my new digital to analog converter, the Benchmark DAC1. I normally dont like to post impressions on things when I first get them, as I like to let the wow factor wear off first. Me, as well as others, have been had by the initial wow factor of something, then find a few weeks down the road it isnt all it was cracked up to be. I'll say, this new DAC is awesome. The sound is so rich and clear, its as if you could reach out and touch it with your fingers. Its nice when you listen to something and hear nuances that you didnt know where there before. It has perfect synergy with my amp, really pushing the envelope as far as having a live band in your living room. The best part about it, Im down to one component in my system that isnt American made. My Electro Voice drivers were made right here in Buchanan, MI, the cabinets in Marina del Ray, CA, amp built by me of course, and the DAC was built in New York. That leaves my Squeezebox Duet as the only piece of Chinese in the whole rig. Its a great mix of old and new. 1930's vacuum tube technology with efficient horn speakers, being fed by a new state of the art DAC. Doesnt get much better than that folks. Ive listened to stereo systems costing upwards of $50,000, and this will hang right with em, and then some.
 
The next purchase I make will besome old school stuff. I'm going for a turn table, id like a tube amp and those diy speakers you had mentioned before.... I have a few questions.

What do I look for in a good turntable?
Can any old tube amp be fixed up?
You made yours, is that a better way to go?
Should I just throw cl ads in here to get yor oppinion? Lol
 
Do you know anyone or any place that can refresh a Marantz 2238B? I picked one up dirt cheap but would like it gone through and re-capped and cleaned.

I also picked up some Bose 901s for a steal that it'll be powering. I know Bose stuff is usually laughed at by audio buffs but I dog the design of the 901s and am gunna give them a whirl. Worst case I sell them for 10x what I paid for them.
 
Tin, I'm getting ready to post these two ads on craigslist, what do you think?





::: Professional High Performance Sound System – DJ, Bar, Church or Home

This professional audio equipment is in very good condition.
Combine this with your video system for a killer theater or presentation set up!

• US Audio MPM1 Mixer
• CSI FM / AM Digital Tuner P-FA
• RCA 5 Disc CD (Plays while loading CD’s)
• Sony Dual Cassette Deck TC-WR350Z
• Samson S1000 High Performance Amplifier (1000 watts)
• Grund Audio Design GT-1210 Speakers (Made in USA)
• Rack Box – Wired with 5 outlet power strip / with master switch

Rack box is…..21 ½” Wide…x…21” Tall…x…18” Deep.
This is quality, high performance equipment & its heavy, amp weighs 36 lbs
& speakers weigh 65 lbs each! System comes complete with all cables.

This incredibly loud, crisp & clean sounding system cost over $4,000 new – Buy it for only $795

Home theater, PA systems, bands, musicians etc. has many uses!

ProSound1.jpg

ProSound2.jpg

ProSound3.jpg

ProSound4.jpg

ProSound5.jpg

ProSound6.jpg







>>> Samson 800 Watt High Performance Amplifier & Rack Box

This professional audio amp is in very good condition.
Great for building an audio / video system for DJ, Bar, Church or Home!

• Samson F800 High Performance Amplifier (800 watts)
• Rack Box – Wired with 5 outlet power strip / with master switch

Rack box is…..21½” Wide…x…21” Tall…x…14” Deep.
This is a quality, high performance amp (weighs 40 lbs.)
Home theater, PA systems, bands, musicians etc. has many uses!

This incredibly loud, crisp & clean sounding system cost over $800 new – Buy it for only $185

Samson1.jpg

Samson2.jpg

Samson3.jpg
 
347convert said:
The next purchase I make will besome old school stuff. I'm going for a turn table, id like a tube amp and those diy speakers you had mentioned before.... I have a few questions.

What do I look for in a good turntable?
Can any old tube amp be fixed up?
You made yours, is that a better way to go?
Should I just throw cl ads in here to get yor oppinion? Lol
Click to expand...

Much of this will depend on your budget. If you can swing $500 to $1000....definitely build your own. There are some great kits out there in that price range. I wouldnt do a scratch build until you have a kit or 2 under your belt. The kits give you a great understanding of how tube circuits work. Sometimes youll be lucky and stumble across an old Fisher or Heathkit at a garage sale for dirt, and those usually only need about ~$50 worth of parts to get going. You just have to be patient until something comes up. Pay attention to the curb on garbage night. Some people throw away their old hifi consoles, many of those have nice amps in them. Keep yours eyes peeled for a RCA, Motorola, Zenith, or Magnavox console.

Heres an old Magnavox console pull that has been recapped, had a standard power plug added, binding posts, and a nice wooden frame.
index.php


As far as the turntable, Id buy something newer thats used, like a Rega P3 or Music Hall MMF5. If youre interested in vintage tables, look up reviews on a prospective buy. There were literally hundreds of different brands pre-1980s. Just remember, if building your own amp, youll also need a preamp with a phono input on it. If you get a receiver, itll have the phono hookups already.
 
I called those guys and I have to say, not much help. I told them what I had and what I wanted and they said "Bring it in. We'll do that." Wouldn't give me a price range on it at all without bringing it to them which is not a close drive for me. Didn't really rub me the right way. I'm sure they are great at what they do but a bad first impression means a lot to me. Anywhere else? Maybe someone more personable?
 
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