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I would like advice for a beginner.

I'm a "newbie" who needs veteran advice. I'm an ex-music teacher, ex-folk singer who is facing retirement and I didn't have a stereo. I have told my friends I'm going to buy a used system for not much money and incorporate the "dink" system. No, that's not "D-ual, I-come, N-o, K-ids"!! It means I want to "dink around" with my new hobby. I know nothing, but my motto will be "Learn First, Upgrade Later."

Presently I have purschased a factory reconditioned Yamaha RX-596 receiver($179) and a Yamaha CDC-845 demo CD changer($129). I purchased Yamaha, for the time being, because my local stereo shop guy told me they would be adequate and were "work horses." I have them hooked up to old JVC 50 watt speakers from an old bookshelf stereo system with a broken cartridge CD changer(free). Now, I can, at least, listen to music while I shop for speakers.

This is fun!!

I would like advice for speakers. I have liked the sound of stand mounted speakers better than floor speakers. The heavier bass sound seems to get in the way of what I want to hear. I listen mostly to classical, especially choral, Celtic and folk music, with an occasional slip into classic rock and bluegrass. The speakers I have most appreciated have been the B&W 601's and 602's followed closely by the Paradigm Studio 20's and 40's. Any opinions offered on those speakers or any other similar speakers would be greatly appriciated. Oh, by the way, I plan to spend $200 to $400 for used speakers.

After I get the speakers, I will have $500-$700 invested and will be listening to a good solid system. Let the DINKING" begin.

Thanks in advance for the advice.
baileyje
clueless
763 posts
 
Spendors and PSBs are nice in your price range. Get some very low prices on used PSB stuff at Agon. Used NAD and Rotel hard to beat too. I've never heard the Castle but Sean has burned through a lot of speakers so he should know.

I agree with above about cables. Of course it is a logical puzzle to give advice on cables telling someone to ignore advice on cables but I think I get the drift. And actually it is helpful to understand a little about resistance, inductance and capacitance when dealing with them so don't ignore everything.(not that RLC tells the while story) Maybe diy a pair. Don't spend much there at your price point.

Finally, if you like celtic and folk music and are a guitar player try listening to Martin Simpson if you haven't already.

You can have great fun dinking in your price range and it is surprising how good the sound can be with a little effort.

Sincerely
I remain,
blkadr
739 posts
 
Someone here at A-gon is offering new Castle speakers at 1/2 price, click Audiogon logo, then search 'castle'. Castle makes a nice speaker with superior build and and real wood veneers. Another alterative would be used Quad 11L, very clean with a beautiful piano finsh. Either of these speakers will be great for the music you are into... or most music. And they will inspire you to upgrade amp, then source. Look at Rotel int, amp for starters. Good luck, enjoy.
rich3549
73 posts
 
Save yourself from losing all of your money and spending all of your time in the pursuit of sonic perfection. My road to my current padded room started with a simple pioneer receiver, magnovox CD player and some no name eight inch two ways...now I am up to having seperate systems for my video and audio.

Actually, this hobby is a blast and I wish you lots of luck.
driver's avatar
driver
750 posts
 
You're on the right track as it sounds like you trust your ears, which is all that matters when choosing your gear.

The main thing I can add is to start with a clean source of power so you actually get to hear what the equipment you have sounds like. I highly recommend at least one dedicated line with a good quality outlet. Please research this option carefully & have fun picking out gear.
sean
6,231 posts
 
Not to sidetrack this thread, but i've read the reviews on PSB's ( always glowing with good measurements ) and listened to them on several different occassions and always wondered what the hype was about ? They sounded dull, thick and bloated to me. From what i can remember, the speakers were hooked up to NAD gear, which is typically offers a good "bang for the buck" but is "typically" on the "warm & smooth" side of neutral. My guess is that these components may work great individually, but i don't think that they work too well as a pair. I"m not trying to "dig" on Charlie's comments about speakers / electronics or anyone else that suggested PSB, only warning that one really should try out combo's for themselves and see if they like it. Some stuff that we think should work well just doesn't live up to our expectations once you try it.

As to the comments about cabling, i do think that cables make a difference but there is little need to spend tall cash to obtain good performance. This is especially true if the level of components aren't up to responding to increased bandwidth and lower dialetric absorption. The use of some Belden ( or equivalent ) copper based cabling with teflon insulation and decent connectors will get you a LOT of bang for the buck. Sean
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