Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

[JohnnyCashFan]

Not one with a built-in optical drive, just an external drive which is a pain. That's a good idea though that I hadn't thought about. I do have a Playstation & Xbox I use in a pinch at my TV, but I'm looking for an upgrade for my main listening setup which is currently using one of those Tivoli mini tabletop radio CD components.

I would consider converting your cd collection to flac and going this route. It will take some time, but makes organizing digital music better, playlists possible, and loading files off to other devices like your phone easier.

 

[Kris]

Not one with a built-in optical drive, just an external drive which is a pain. That's a good idea though that I hadn't thought about. I do have a Playstation & Xbox I use in a pinch at my TV, but I'm looking for an upgrade for my main listening setup which is currently using one of those Tivoli mini tabletop radio CD components.

I had an Onkyo-C7030 before I upgraded to a Marantz. It was a great player. They seem to be more expensive now as used. I paid $120 for it.

 

[debar22]

I would consider converting your cd collection to flac and going this route. It will take some time, but makes organizing digital music better, playlists possible, and loading files off to other devices like your phone easier.

I’ve already done this, too! Then converted FLAC to ALAC around 5-6 years ago when I switched to Mac/what used to be iTunes. Got a ton of smart playlists based on ratings, playcounts, last played, release year etc.

But I still enjoy busting out the CDs and playing them and looking through the liner notes occasionally. Especially ones I don’t have on vinyl. Been doing it more frequently recently too, which is why I started looking at upgrading my CD player.

What do you use to manage/play your digital catalog?

 

[debar22]

I had an Onkyo-C7030 before I upgraded to a Marantz. It was a great player. They seem to be more expensive now as used. I paid $120 for it.

Saw this as a recommendation elsewhere, too, but it seems to not be made anymore. And like you said, the used ones I’ve seen on eBay have been going for more than what the street price was previously.

Still looks like the best option price-wise though.

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

I’ve already done this, too! Then converted FLAC to ALAC around 5-6 years ago when I switched to Mac/what used to be iTunes. Got a ton of smart playlists based on ratings, playcounts, last played, release year etc.

But I still enjoy busting out the CDs and playing them and looking through the liner notes occasionally. Especially ones I don’t have on vinyl. Been doing it more frequently recently too, which is why I started looking at upgrading my CD player.

What do you use to manage/play your digital catalog?

Audirvāna - Music Player⎢HD Digital Audio Player

With Audirvāna, enjoy all your streaming and local music with the best playback sound quality from a computer.

audirvana.com

I also have also heard good things about Amara, but when I tried it it was meh

If your not interested in tweaking audio stuff, Jriver, foobar, or similiar seem fine as well.

 

[debar22]

Audirvāna - Music Player⎢HD Digital Audio Player

With Audirvāna, enjoy all your streaming and local music with the best playback sound quality from a computer.

audirvana.com

I also have also heard good things about Amara, but when I tried it it was meh

If you not interested in tweaking audio stuff, Jriver, foobar, or similiar seem fine as well.

Nice! I'm gonna take a look at a few of these. It's been a while since I've looked at different software.

Do you know off the top of your head if any of them have mobile apps that sync playcounts, ratings, etc? The reason I gave in to Mac/iTunes was because it was the only platform that synced relatively seamlessly between desktop & mobile. Pre-pandemic (and post-pandemic I assume), my listening habits was probably 65-35 mobile to home ratio. Library management & syncing is higher up on my priority list than absolute audio quality.

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

Nice! I'm gonna take a look at a few of these. It's been a while since I've looked at different software.

Do you know off the top of your head if any of them have mobile apps that sync playcounts, ratings, etc? The reason I gave in to Mac/iTunes was because it was the only platform that synced relatively seamlessly between desktop & mobile. Pre-pandemic (and post-pandemic I assume), my listening habits was probably 65-35 mobile to home ratio. Library management & syncing is higher up on my priority list than absolute audio quality.

Not really, I use the Aurdivana remote app just to remote control the program from my phone when Im listening sometimes.

 

[Kris]

Saw this as a recommendation elsewhere, too, but it seems to not be made anymore. And like you said, the used ones I’ve seen on eBay have been going for more than what the street price was previously.

Still looks like the best option price-wise though.

I think a laptop would be too "fiddly". I think a dedicated player would be a better option because it wouldn't assume you have a monitor or need (Any/as much) software updating. I'd try something like this TEAC CD-P650. Looks like it can be found for less that $200. You can always return it if you don't like it.

Robot or human?

I would also consider just using a playstation and holding out for a Manrantz. I paid $450 for my CD6006.

 

[debar22]

I think a laptop would be too "fiddly". I think a dedicated player would be a better option because it wouldn't assume you have a monitor or need (Any/as much) software updating. I'd try something like this TEAC CD-P650. Looks like it can be found for less that $200. You can always return it if you don't like it.

Robot or human?

I would also consider just using a playstation and holding out for a Manrantz. I paid $450 for my CD6006.

Yeah, I'm not in a huge rush. I'm likely moving in the next year or so, so I may hold off until I know what my new setup will look like unless I find a really good deal. That looks like a great price on that TEAC though.

 

[dirty hands]

I had a Sony SA-W300 subwoofer sitting around so I decided to try it out with my Kanto YU6 speakers. I’m not sure of the proper setting. There is a knob for cutoff frequency, a knob for level, and a switch for normal or reverse phase.

 

[apholden]

I had a Sony SA-W300 subwoofer sitting around so I decided to try it out with my Kanto YU6 speakers. I’m not sure of the proper setting. There is a knob for cutoff frequency, a knob for level, and a switch for normal or reverse phase.

I would look up the lower frequency from your speakers' spec sheet and set the subwoofer's cutoff there (edit, 50Hz according to Crutchfield). Set the level so the sub blends in with your sound system. Try normal and reverse phase and see if one sounds better than the other. Don't worry if you can't hear a difference. This should give you a decent starting point.

Then play with its settings and placement until you can't tell it's there, but your system digs a little deeper into the bass. You'll probably end up tweaking all 3 knobs away from their starting places. Your goal is not to think, "the sub sounds good." Rather, your goal is, "I can't hear the sub, but my system sounds good, and it gets a little tinnier if I turn the sub off."

 

[AnthonyI]

I like Steve's vids and opinions, so here's a little vid for the budget conscious

 

[HayesWeighsIn]

I like Steve's vids and opinions, so here's a little vid for the budget conscious

Man do I love the look of the Zu DW’s in wood. If I can get away with the size of them in our next place, gonna go for them.

 

[dansomeone]

Man do I love the look of the Zu DW’s in wood. If I can get away with the size of them in our next place, gonna go for them.

I have the DWs with the rustic hickory veneer. They are indeed lovely, with the grain and different shades.

 

[Jango]

I have the DWs with the rustic hickory veneer. They are indeed lovely, with the grain and different shades.

I tend to go with walnut when there’s a choice of finish, but I’d be all over the rustic hickory if I went the Zu route.

 

[HayesWeighsIn]

@dansomeone how's the Darlington treating you thus far?

 

[LiamGallaghersBucketHat]

I like Steve's vids and opinions, so here's a little vid for the budget conscious

I like that Steve covers all the budgets.

 

[MattS]

Hey guys. I have a quick question about speaker stands. I order some from amazon for around 70 bucks and they don’t seem very sturdy and the top area doesn’t seem big enough for the speakers. I have bookshelf speakers and would love anything capable of holding them but doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars. Would love any recommendations if anyone has

 

[Phaneronic]

I was hoping not to have to do this anytime soon, but I can't convince myself my stylus isn't worn, I keep seeming to get more sibilants in the right channel. I'm 90% sure my alignment isn't that lopsided. So, if I'm thinking of replacing the stylus I might as well ask:

Is there a recommended upgrade for someone who LOVES the sound profile of the Nagaoka MP-110 and wants something that tracks a little better because suddenly they're really sensitive to it, and isn't a ton more expensive? It's going on a Pro-Ject RPM 1 Carbon into a moving magnet pre-amp, if that's necessary info. If there's nothing quite like it below $200 I'll just get a new stylus for the MP-110…

I was thinking about posting this in the Cartridges You Love and Hate thread, but I wasn't sure that was a good place for it.

 

[Mr Moustache]

Hey guys. I have a quick question about speaker stands. I order some from amazon for around 70 bucks and they don’t seem very sturdy and the top area doesn’t seem big enough for the speakers. I have bookshelf speakers and would love anything capable of holding them but doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars. Would love any recommendations if anyone has

So this is kind of a boring recommendation request, but I am in the market for some speaker stands. I've all but decided on picking up the KEF LS50 Meta but I just can't see spending another $450 on the stands they make for them so I am looking for alternatives. I've done plenty of research and the two below seem like decent enough options, but curious if anyone else has others I may have missed or any experience with these. I'd love to keep it to about $200 or below is possible.

Kanto SP26 - Kanto SP26 (Black) 26" speaker stands at Crutchfield
Monoprice Monolith - Monolith by Monoprice 28in Speaker Stand (Each) - Monoprice.com

these plus the Pangea LS300 seems to be a consensus for sturdy enough without breaking the bank.