ForeverNoob!
New Member
Okay I'm pretty green when it comes to hifi audio but I am hoping to upgrade my main home stereo used exclusively for music. I don't have a special listening room - stereo is against an angled wall in the living room which is open to the kitchen. I will rarely be listening directly in front of the speakers - I want something that sounds good throughout the (small) house.
I need to be able to hook up my smart speaker and I have my music files on a NAS. I don't use CDs but I do have a turntable.
I can really only budget $1500-2000 tops. That is a decent amount of money for me so whatever I end up with is what I'm going to end up with. In other words I will not be buying several options to swap out and play with to see what I like best. Tube amps seem too involved to me.
Currently I have a Pioneer rx-721 receiver and cs-g911 floorstanding speakers. I have a DC servo SL-BD27 turntable, and a BSR McDonald 2630w. The BSR needs work though, as it plays a bit slow even with the pitch control maxed. One speaker cuts out sometimes and I have to turn up the volume to get it to play again (guessing the receiver is the culprit). Speakers sound not bad but I'd like more clarity and tighter bass.
On to what I'm thinking about getting.
Speakers: I like the idea of the Zu Omen DWs ($1100). They are out of stock right now but I can wait. I don't really know what a full range woofer sounds like but I like the wood enclosures and that they are made somewhat locally. People rave about the sound but I've also read that some people don't like them (surprise surprise).
Receiver: Outlaw RR2160 ($850). This seems like a good option for digital music files as well as records. Plenty of power for the Omens. Reviews are mostly positive.
I'd upgrade the turntable later, or at least get the BSR working. Subwoofer would come later if needed.
So my questions:
Is this a good combo? Is there a reason these two items would not go well together?
What else would I need? Fancy interconnects? Upgraded phono cartridge?
Most of my music is vbr or 320k mp3. Are these files going to sound good with this setup? I can replace files with lossless as time goes by but if my library is going to all sound terrible then that's a problem.
What other options should I be considering, especially if I can get by for cheaper?
Thanks in advance!
I need to be able to hook up my smart speaker and I have my music files on a NAS. I don't use CDs but I do have a turntable.
I can really only budget $1500-2000 tops. That is a decent amount of money for me so whatever I end up with is what I'm going to end up with. In other words I will not be buying several options to swap out and play with to see what I like best. Tube amps seem too involved to me.
Currently I have a Pioneer rx-721 receiver and cs-g911 floorstanding speakers. I have a DC servo SL-BD27 turntable, and a BSR McDonald 2630w. The BSR needs work though, as it plays a bit slow even with the pitch control maxed. One speaker cuts out sometimes and I have to turn up the volume to get it to play again (guessing the receiver is the culprit). Speakers sound not bad but I'd like more clarity and tighter bass.
On to what I'm thinking about getting.
Speakers: I like the idea of the Zu Omen DWs ($1100). They are out of stock right now but I can wait. I don't really know what a full range woofer sounds like but I like the wood enclosures and that they are made somewhat locally. People rave about the sound but I've also read that some people don't like them (surprise surprise).
Receiver: Outlaw RR2160 ($850). This seems like a good option for digital music files as well as records. Plenty of power for the Omens. Reviews are mostly positive.
I'd upgrade the turntable later, or at least get the BSR working. Subwoofer would come later if needed.
So my questions:
Is this a good combo? Is there a reason these two items would not go well together?
What else would I need? Fancy interconnects? Upgraded phono cartridge?
Most of my music is vbr or 320k mp3. Are these files going to sound good with this setup? I can replace files with lossless as time goes by but if my library is going to all sound terrible then that's a problem.
What other options should I be considering, especially if I can get by for cheaper?
Thanks in advance!