Budget audiophile gear recommendations
- Bradystraps
- Posts: 2383
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- Name: Todd
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Just picked up a pair of JBL Studio 530’s and they sound awesome! Paired to my vintage Luxman R-1070. Sweet combo.
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I finally bit the bug. I ended up getting the Marantz NR1200 for my receiver and a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 50 for my bookshelf speakers. I am completely happy with this set up. For those still playing around with the idea, Crutchfield has a pretty cool app that let's you somewhat test drive the speakers. It seemed to work well enough for me to figure out what I wanted. The one negative about it, is that not all the speakers they have have the ability to virtually test drive them.
- jeckyll
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
The silvers are a sweet spot. I auditioned them extensively a while ago.
Congrats and enjoy!
Congrats and enjoy!
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Very nice. I've never heard the MAs, but the Silvers are well reviewed. Been using Marantz/Denon for decades. Enjoy.unsub073 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:07 amI finally bit the bug. I ended up getting the Marantz NR1200 for my receiver and a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 50 for my bookshelf speakers. I am completely happy with this set up. For those still playing around with the idea, Crutchfield has a pretty cool app that let's you somewhat test drive the speakers. It seemed to work well enough for me to figure out what I wanted. The one negative about it, is that not all the speakers they have have the ability to virtually test drive them.
- bedlam
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
For headphone listening I would say the best audio bang-for-buck amps/DACs come from Schiit. They really are the shit!
https://www.schiit.com/
https://www.schiit.com/
- jeckyll
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I've been meaning to try one of their amps. But I have too much gear already that I don't use enough.bedlam wrote:For headphone listening I would say the best audio bang-for-buck amps/DACs come from Schiit. They really are the shit!
https://www.schiit.com/
For moving around, the dragonfly series is hard to beat. Drive stuff like planar and are very small and handy to take anywhere...
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
- Joeprez
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I've always wanted to try some products from Schiit, they seem to be well made, for a good price.
Dragonfly does a great headphones DAC, recommended, specially if you listen to music from your laptop (I use mine at work mostly). I believe there are new models that can be used with a smartphone.
I currently use this product to drive my Hifiman HE400s planar headphones:
Oppo HA-2 Portable Headphone Amplifier & DAC
https://www.amazon.com/Oppo-HA-2-Portab ... B00UW0BP48
Some pics, because why not:
Dragonfly does a great headphones DAC, recommended, specially if you listen to music from your laptop (I use mine at work mostly). I believe there are new models that can be used with a smartphone.
I currently use this product to drive my Hifiman HE400s planar headphones:
Oppo HA-2 Portable Headphone Amplifier & DAC
https://www.amazon.com/Oppo-HA-2-Portab ... B00UW0BP48
Some pics, because why not:
Omega / Tudor / Rolex / Sinn / Doxa / Seiko
- jeckyll
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Joe : I've also got he400's
But heavy but a great entry into planars
But heavy but a great entry into planars
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
- Joeprez
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Pretty sure I bought them on your recommendation
Not sure if it is because they are heavy or just big, but I can't use them for more than two hours, which I hate because the sound, specially the openness of the music (soundstage?), is just incredible. If I need to wear headphones for a longer period of time, my Bose Soundsport in ear or my Bose QC over the ear headphones (wired, very old model) are more comfortable. I'm open to other planar headphones suggestions that may be more comfortable than the Hifiman HE400s.
Not sure if it is because they are heavy or just big, but I can't use them for more than two hours, which I hate because the sound, specially the openness of the music (soundstage?), is just incredible. If I need to wear headphones for a longer period of time, my Bose Soundsport in ear or my Bose QC over the ear headphones (wired, very old model) are more comfortable. I'm open to other planar headphones suggestions that may be more comfortable than the Hifiman HE400s.
Omega / Tudor / Rolex / Sinn / Doxa / Seiko
- jeckyll
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I forgot we talked about it a while back!Joeprez wrote:Pretty sure I bought them on your recommendation
Not sure if it is because they are heavy or just big, but I can't use them for more than two hours, which I hate because the sound, specially the openness of the music (soundstage?), is just incredible. If I need to wear headphones for a longer period of time, my Bose Soundsport in ear or my Bose QC over the ear headphones (wired, very old model) are more comfortable. I'm open to other planar headphones suggestions that may be more comfortable than the Hifiman HE400s.
I've been buying more in ears as I find full sized cans difficult while wearing glasses. My latest are from brainwavs and are quad driver in a 3D printed housing, I forget the exact model, but I really enjoy them!
Edit: brainwavz B400. On sale right now
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
- Bradystraps
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- Name: Todd
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Good stuff, gents. I recently just purchased a mint set of ADS L520's that I am picking up on Saturday. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Dang...How many set ups are you setting up...Bradystraps wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:50 amGood stuff, gents. I recently just purchased a mint set of ADS L520's that I am picking up on Saturday. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
For you guys with bookshelves, I would entertain the idea of getting a good sub.
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
That may be next on my list after I live with mine for a couple months. I want to see how I use them for a while before I add another piece to it.BlueSky wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:20 amDang...How many set ups are you setting up...Bradystraps wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:50 amGood stuff, gents. I recently just purchased a mint set of ADS L520's that I am picking up on Saturday. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
For you guys with bookshelves, I would entertain the idea of getting a good sub.
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Good deal. Some folks are happy sans a sub, but, either way, you're off to a good start. You'll have a few Crutchfield points, but I'll still recommend looking at SVS and PSA (Power Sound Audio) first. There's two of us here, that I know of, that keep up with that stuff... so shout back. I've been fooling around with audio since the seventies.unsub073 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:10 amThat may be next on my list after I live with mine for a couple months. I want to see how I use them for a while before I add another piece to it.BlueSky wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:20 amDang...How many set ups are you setting up...Bradystraps wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:50 amGood stuff, gents. I recently just purchased a mint set of ADS L520's that I am picking up on Saturday. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
For you guys with bookshelves, I would entertain the idea of getting a good sub.
- Bradystraps
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- Name: Todd
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Ahhhh and now a Apt Holman Preamp has hit my radar. Feck! This is just like watches.
- bedlam
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
No, its much worseBradystraps wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:06 pmAhhhh and now a Apt Holman Preamp has hit my radar. Feck! This is just like watches.
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I have a sub-less budget system (Onkyo A-9110 amp, Schiit Modi3 DAC, and Elac Debut B6.2 speakers). Do you guys feel that a sub makes that much of a difference for general audio?
- 59yukon01
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I personally think so. My Definitive Technology towers have built in 10" subs, which is awesome on my home theater, but music sounds better as well.dukerules wrote:I have a sub-less budget system (Onkyo A-9110 amp, Schiit Modi3 DAC, and Elac Debut B6.2 speakers). Do you guys feel that a sub makes that much of a difference for general audio?
- jeckyll
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Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Yes it makes a big difference, both for mus8c and also for movies.59yukon01 wrote:I personally think so. My Definitive Technology towers have built in 10" subs, which is awesome on my home theater, but music sounds better as well.dukerules wrote:I have a sub-less budget system (Onkyo A-9110 amp, Schiit Modi3 DAC, and Elac Debut B6.2 speakers). Do you guys feel that a sub makes that much of a difference for general audio?
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Will do, but I do want to pick your brain on something else. Are those Iso pucks worth it? I don't have room for traditional stands, so the speakers on resting on my entertainment center. Would those things be worth it or am I better off w/the cheaper rubber ones?BlueSky wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 1:19 pmGood deal. Some folks are happy sans a sub, but, either way, you're off to a good start. You'll have a few Crutchfield points, but I'll still recommend looking at SVS and PSA (Power Sound Audio) first. There's two of us here, that I know of, that keep up with that stuff... so shout back. I've been fooling around with audio since the seventies.unsub073 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:10 amThat may be next on my list after I live with mine for a couple months. I want to see how I use them for a while before I add another piece to it.BlueSky wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:20 amDang...How many set ups are you setting up...Bradystraps wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:50 amGood stuff, gents. I recently just purchased a mint set of ADS L520's that I am picking up on Saturday. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
For you guys with bookshelves, I would entertain the idea of getting a good sub.
http://www.isoacoustics.com/products/iso-puck-mini/
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Dang. Guess I’ll be looking at subs after the holidays.
- Bradystraps
- Posts: 2383
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- Name: Todd
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
I’ve never listened to a sub for 2 channel music. If the speaker has good bass response, no need IMO.
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
You most definitely want to decouple/isolate the speakers from your entertainment center. Personally, I think those are way overkill.unsub073 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:55 amWill do, but I do want to pick your brain on something else. Are those Iso pucks worth it? I don't have room for traditional stands, so the speakers on resting on my entertainment center. Would those things be worth it or am I better off w/the cheaper rubber ones?BlueSky wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 1:19 pmGood deal. Some folks are happy sans a sub, but, either way, you're off to a good start. You'll have a few Crutchfield points, but I'll still recommend looking at SVS and PSA (Power Sound Audio) first. There's two of us here, that I know of, that keep up with that stuff... so shout back. I've been fooling around with audio since the seventies.unsub073 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:10 amThat may be next on my list after I live with mine for a couple months. I want to see how I use them for a while before I add another piece to it.BlueSky wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:20 amDang...How many set ups are you setting up...Bradystraps wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:50 amGood stuff, gents. I recently just purchased a mint set of ADS L520's that I am picking up on Saturday. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.
Also picking up an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp and Hafler DH-101 Pre next week. gotta move some gear OUTBOUND now or I will get the new watch wrath from the better half.
For you guys with bookshelves, I would entertain the idea of getting a good sub.
http://www.isoacoustics.com/products/iso-puck-mini/
- jeckyll
- Honorary Assistant Jr. Hall Monitor in Training
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- Name: Björn
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Bookshelves = get a sub imo.Bradystraps wrote:I’ve never listened to a sub for 2 channel music. If the speaker has good bass response, no need IMO.
Same with systems usedbfor watching music.
For music only, maybe overkill with full sized capable towers, but I still think most would benefit from one.
YMMV if course.
We all have the same enemy. The enemy is the tyranny of the dull mind. - - Tom Robbins
Re: Budget audiophile gear recommendations
Small speakers (and a lot of big ones, too) simply can't reproduce sound below a certain frequency, period. It's just science, namely physics. You're just not going to hear all the data, if you will, from any source you throw at it. In other words, you need a sub to reproduce all that data that a bookshelf, for example, can't.Bradystraps wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:56 pmI’ve never listened to a sub for 2 channel music. If the speaker has good bass response, no need IMO.
Chris (unsub073) and I have very capable bookshelves (use mine as surrounds) and I would not use either without a sub. Two channel, especially.
Last edited by BlueSky on Fri Dec 20, 2019 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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