I hope I made good choices with new gear. Comments?
(Subtitled: Rabbit holes can run deep)
Synergy and such. It always worries me as I don’t have time for much trial and error.
Some of this appears in a recent thread elsewhere but it was getting off topic.
This all started out by me wanting a new TV. So I bought an LG 77" C5 OLED model. Well, then I decided I might as well redo the room it’s going in so that’s almost done.
Gee, then I figured I need a new DVD player, a 4K one. I bought a Panasonic DP-UB820-K for that. It reads like it’s a pretty good unit for picture and sound. Of course with the long cable run from the TV to the rack holding the audio gear and DVD player, I would need a 30’ or so optical HDMI cable. Also long audio cables from the TV to the rack.
My main audio system is also in the same room the TV is in. It’s mostly equipment I bought 36 years ago, save for the CD players. The amps are getting old and nobody around here works on them. So I purchased a pair of Cambridge Audio Edge M monoblocks. I figured I would use my old Harmon Kardon Citation 25 preamp with them. It’s compatible and still works. Nah, I ordered a Parasound Halo JC 2BP preamplifier today. Hey, those new components have XLR inputs and outputs! I bought some Audioquest Red River XLR cables for that.
No way am I going to just plug all of this stuff into wall outlets. I bought a pair of APC BR1500MS2 uninterruptible power supplies to protect against power surges and brownouts. These do not provide enough battery power to run for any length of time but we have an emergency standby generator that kicks in in less than 10 seconds so it’s not an issue.
With all the new gear, I need someplace comfortable to sit. I found a good set of wing chairs on sale on the ’net. Also got a nice small narrow table to put between them to hold remotes and a drink. My new gear also needs a nice place to sit so I also purchased a Salamander Designs rack for it.
New and much longer SP6 speaker cables are currently on the burn-in machine at Morrow Audio.
All of this started with wanting a new TV and it just kept going, LOL! Oh well. Did I miss anything? Did I get anything that’s not going to work well together? I did as much research as I could and it was quite a bit. Ya never know though.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thank you all.
subs can have two effects: improve the sound or deteriorate the sound It will vary with each track. Some will be improved some won't be. You will get a lot of confirmation bias; you paid for the sub therefore you like the difference (at first). But all that humming and thumping will drive the gophers in the backyard crazy. Although I have a sub, I am happy listening without it turned on. It's a pretty divisive subject. |
Hi , Congratulations on your new gear ! And may I wish you an early Happy 60th birthday. For my 60th ( I’m 68 now ), I did a 100 mi bike ride. I like Led Zeppelin and saw them their last weekend in the US, at Oakland. I also like old JBL speakers and have a frustrating relationship with mine ( 4313A ). I also have a loom of Morrow 5 cables. I think you should set your gear up and enjoy it as it settles in. There will come a day when you are not so energetic and your stereo will be a larger portion of your time , I found this out the hard way. So here’s my .02 flipping cents . You spent about $12/14K on gear and you should settle in with what you bought and get an understanding of what you have. When I wanted a new dvd player I was fortunate to find a mint Oppo 105D on a local sale for $750. For a CD transport I was gifted a Musical Fidelity unit and I sent it in and had it serviced for a total cost of under $200. I would CONSIDER down the road adding a DAC ( I have a Schiit Yiggy ), start auditioning and find something in the $2k range. You can get a decent digital cable to connect the CD to the DAC and use your existing IC’s to connect the DAC to the pre. If you like your speakers F$&@ everyone and enjoy them. Being as old as they are you could consider freshening up the crossovers. I’m going to get totally flamed for this but if you like a big rock party speaker audition Tekton’s DI or Moab. I’m guessing but if you have power surge issues and are gone a lot you just unplug your system? And here’s the question everyone asks , When you play Zep III can you hear the pedal squeak on Bonzo’s kit ? Much respect, Mike B. |
@toddsyr which Salamander rack did you get? I used a cheap P.O.S. rack for years and eventually broke down and bought a nice Salamander rack. A little pricey by the time I bought extra shelves, slide out drawer, end panels, and casters. But, totally worth it. |
It seems that you have a well-sorted system-I'm sure it will bring you many joyful hours. I use AI for some basic research and find that useful. I don't take take the conclusions too seriously. Consumer level AI does seemed tuned toward flattery. That likely creates false credibility because we all like affirmation. I'm shopping for a new component and have run the exact same comparisons of 6-8 components through three different AI engines, with all different results. If you explore new speakers, as someone suggested, it might be worthwhile to attend a show if you don't have dealers to visit. That's far from ideal, but I think you can get the basic personality of speakers even at a show and that's better than buying blind. Plus, you'll have a great time. Congrats on your new gear.
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