I am nuts to use these speakers?


I fell into the world of "high end" audio by accident. I've always had mediocre Japanese gear with the exception of a Thorens 125 turntable and Altec Lansing speakers. Then I bought a used ARC Ref1 and an ARC Phono 2, tweaked the 25 year old Thorens with a new Goldring cartridge and it changed everything. I also picked up a used ARC CD1 but vinyl sounded so good that I went off the deep end and bought a VPI TNT 3.5 and replaced the Phono 2 with a ARC Ref Phone Preamp. My power amp is an ARC D130. I am using a pair of JBL 4311 studio monitors for speakers and assorted Cardas Hexlink for cables. I think the system sounds great. The JBL's are sitting on some lead shot filled target stands which also have spikes. My room has a concrete floor and I have separate power outlets run from the fuse box for all the gear. Anyhow I think that the speakers which I paid 300 bucks for from a radio station could probably use an upgrade considering the rest of the system. BUT I think they sound great. Basically if the vinyl is great it sounds great, if it is lousy vinyl the speakers seem unforgiving. ANY SUGGESTIONS on where to start looking? There seem to be a million speaker lines out there so any advice is appreciated.
ntscdan

Showing 4 responses by ntscdan

I forgot to add that most of my gear came from audiogon classifieds and that the fellow at Hollywood Hifi in Florida whose name escapes me was first class in assisting me with my VPI questions even though I did buy it used from audiogon. He did however sell me a Grado Ref cartridge, stand and other accessories so I am not anti dealer, just anti lousy dealers.
Thanks for the suggestions so far. My musical taste is fairly eclectic but would lean to the jazz, blues, R&B, vocals instrumentals...not interested in much recorded beyond the sixties. Lots of MONO. I have considered the JBL LSR's and not had a chance to listen to them yet. An audiophile friend also recommended them. I should also mention that my listen room or "bunker" would be more like it is only 10' x 12'.
Thanks to all the great suggestions! audiophiles are a decent bunch...as for dealers I only buy stuff from them when it is too heavy or difficult to buy off of the web. Our local dealers here in Vancouver, Canada suck. Lots of attitude...they are waiting for lottery winners to come in and buy $50,000 systems at full list. They also think that vinyl is a waste of time and would rather sell you the latest, greatest incarnation of digital or a surround sound system. I think that I am going to go slow on the speakers because I am really happy, but I hate to miss out...
I am going to get a pair of the JBL LSR32's and give them a try. I'll let you know how it works out. I will be glad to see the last of the spring loaded clips on the back of the 4311's. Kind of want to keep the system all Made in the USA!