Whole house setup


Hi-
I’m new to the forum and the world of audio products not sold at best buy. I have a number of different receivers, amps, speakers and turntables in my house and I’m hoping somebody could help me with the best possible setup per room. By the way, I have a small home (1400 sq ft) so that should give you some indication to room sizes, etc. So here goes...

In the living/family room, I have a Harman Kardon AVR 125 with 5.1 bose speakers. I have PSB Image 5t speakers hooked up to a technics sa-ax540 receiver with a a vintage turntable. I’ll probably upgrade both the amp and turntable..or move other equipment around to make this all make sense. This space is used for watching movies, tv and listening to music. I'm currently getting feedback when I attempt to play a record because the phono input on the receiver is not working properly..so a preamp is probably needed.

In my office, I have a lenoxx sound sl-700 with a bose 2.1 for the "A" speakers and a pair of small sony ss-mb215 floor standing speakers for the "B" speakers. I have a computer, pono player and MCS turntable (that is pretty nice) hooked through a TEAC eq. I’m probably at least in need of a preamp in the office, and probably the family room as well..unless I move the Lenoxx sound amp..but I digress.

In the large basement, I have a vintage garrard stereophonic console with A and B inputs with the native floor standing speakers that it came with. I also have a pair of Yamaha ns 7390 that are currently not hooked up. The basement is used for entertaining, shooting pool, watching tv/movies, listening to music. Obviously needs more sound than the upstairs rooms. Quality of sound is always important, but least important in the basement.

I recently ordered a McIntosh MA5100 to pair with the PSB speakers. I must have misread the specs sheets when I ordered it because the PSB’s are 125w 8 ohm nominal and the MA5100 is not designed to power speakers that require this much power.

So, for anyone who wouldn’t mind undertaking a layout of which equipment should go where to improve sound based on what I currently own, please reply. Last notes, I listen mainly to rock and singer/songwriters. The Klipsch Heresey 2’s are the best speakers I’ve ever heard paired with a Belles amp. I favor a bit of brightness because I have some hearing loss in the high frequencies..but obviously with rock music, I need adequate warmth.

I’m probably going to sell most of the lower end equipment and replace one piece at a time so suggestions on potential purchases would be great as well. On that tip, the "A" speakers in the office need to be physically small based on the room layout.


128x128eli_tackla
Well, it seems you like to tinker and move things around a lot. :) I don’t think any suggestions would necessarily help you.

I would think about however going to a system like a Sonos or similar where possible. You have more gear in that house than a lot of stereo stores. :) It may make most sense for you to really consolidate and simplify.  Leave your LP listening to your main system, where you can focus on things like room acoustics as well.

On the other hand, if mixing and matching is what you want to continue doing, maybe this isn’t the right way for you.

Best,


Erik
Thanks Erik-
It’s not that I have a preference for mixing and matching. I enjoy finding values where possible so it’s kind of inevitable that systems are maybe not matched properly. I could put a bunch of the lower end gear in the basement and be fine with that. I guess most importantly, I’m looking for the best way to use the Mac amp in my office and the PSB speakers in the family room. Ultimately those are my 2 goals. Do I currently own an adequate amp for the PSB’s? Do I have speakers that are appropriate for the Mac amp based on taste but also on level of speaker? I guess those are the questions I’m really asking. Like, can I use the PSB’s with the Garrard stereophonic or Lenoxx sound? Will that do those speakers justice or should I stop mixing and matching and just go get a Belles or Carver power amp with like a NAD preamp and just build a new system. I don’t know if you have any insight from that perspective, but that’s closer to the root of my question.
Wow, you have a lot of equipment!
Though most of it is now getting a bit long in the tooth.
If you want better sound, you might want to consider an upgrade path.-IMO
I think Eric has given some good advice, too.