Audio in my Bedroom (Lots O' Pics)

Great find on the Sony. Those are nice little receivers.

As for your bedroom system, at least you got something. Over time you will collect pieces to make your system even better.
 
Great find on the Sony. Those are nice little receivers.

As for your bedroom system, at least you got something. Over time you will collect pieces to make your system even better.

I still haven't done anything with the Sony. It was pretty nasty when I got it and since my mom is a clean freak she doesn't want it to come in. I don't have a good space to work on it either so it stays under the house. Maybe one day ill get some initiative heh.
 
So the Pioneer is blowing fuses like the Sansui on one channel. Radio Shack only had fast acting fuses which I got anyway even though I knew it wouldn't work, of course that blew.. But then I got the one good slow blow fuse out of the Sansui and put it in the Pioneer (same spec), turned it on, and watched it glow like an element then blow. Don't know what to do now :/
 
Stewart

Do you do any poking around in the DIY or Vintage Audio part of the site?

You would be surprised at how much help you can get sorting a piece of gear.

Start a thread, tell us specifically about the problem you are having and post lots of pix.

Chances are a can of Deoxit, a digital multi meter and a small screwdriver set will be all that you need to sort some of the problems you are having.

Good luck

Eric
 
Check to see if there is any poly-fill or insulation in those Sony speakers. If there is none in there you will improve the sound a lot by adding some.
 
Your mom won't allow the Sony in the house?! Sneak it in when she's at work and hide it under your bed. It's probably your best piece (along with the Sansui).
 
Stewart

Do you do any poking around in the DIY or Vintage Audio part of the site?

...

Good luck

Eric

TBH I don't poke much here at all. I probably should, but I'm still kind of just getting into the whole thing so I'm not on AK as much as other places online. I've found out what's up with the flickering on startup on the Pioneer, but I'm still not exactly sure on why it and the Sans are eating fuses.

Check to see if there is any poly-fill or insulation in those Sony speakers. If there is none in there you will improve the sound a lot by adding some.

I don't think there is, but I tried taking one of the grille plugs out and there wasn't a screw behind it so I guess the whole front is glued on. So stuffing some through the port would get it up in there enough?
 
If anything, this will be a good anchor for when you upgrade and start figuring out why certain receivers and speakers are better than others. Everyone has to start from somewhere and it's that journey that makes it fun.

I remember at 14 I had one of those Sony boomboxes with the "detachable" speakers (2-way 5" speakers). It was my first CD player (on top) and dual cassettes. I'd blare that thing when parents weren't home and I'd lay on the floor on my back and point each speaker to my ears (like headphones). Obviously I didn't blare them like that. I thought it was the bee's knees back then. I think it could only do 30 watts and had for most of my through HS. I don't miss it, but it was part of my "audio maturation".


EDIT: I see you now have a Pioneer SX-450. You will love that receiver. Pio's have very good "soundstage" that boombox-type audio don't seem to have. Nearly any speaker you hook up to will "magically" sound better.
 
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I finally got my PC speakers upgraded! I picked up this pair of small JVC bookshelf speakers last night for $15.

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They are the SP-FSG5. These two sound much better than what they are replacing, and definitely sound better than $15. Paired with the powered sub, it's a very nice and almost warm sounding system. The only issue they have is with one of the grilles, a chunk has chipped out near the top and one of the pegs has broken off in the hole.

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Other than that they are close to new condition and I'm very happy! On to pics (I got shutter-happy last night :D)

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Not too shabby! I see stuff like that a lot in thrifts around here. What are they powered with?

I'm still using the Aiwa receiver from the first page. The frequency response on the speaker outputs cut off around 60, but I've got the Sony sub that makes up for it. I'd venture to say that it sounds better than my main system!

This was a special find at my local thrift store. Typically it's filled with cheap blown, rotted surround, pushed in dust cap type speakers and 90's Sony, Pioneer, etc. media receivers. Last week there was a Pioneer EQ that I decided against, and a while back there was a silver face Kenwood amp that had a few problems. To find my speakers in the condition they are in is a super score (Latinos seem to tear up the speakers, I see the condition degrade as they sit longer and longer).
 
Pics

Stewart,
You may not know it, but you have a knack for taking great pics! Angles and light you are using are impressive.:thmbsp:
As far as the blowing fuses, you may have some shorted outputs. This is something that can be fixed with a little guidance. From your posts so far I think you can fix them. :yes:
Be careful with this hobby! It is just as addictive as Playing Video games!:D
Good luck with repairs,
J.T.
 
Stewart,
You may not know it, but you have a knack for taking great pics! Angles and light you are using are impressive.:thmbsp:

Thanks man! I enjoy being creative with those things. I've always liked to take pictures but just recently discovered that I can make some really nice shots. I enjoy sharing my work. Not just to get compliments but any feedback is good. I see myself as a reality check to all of these kids my age with their high-end DSLR's, because I take better shots with my iPhone than they do with their camera.

I've got a friend that is much more schematically and electrically inclined than me, I think I may let him check it out and maybe I can learn some from him. He's got the knowhow, tools, and place to work.
 
ispy Transformers ?

I realized I haven't made one of these system threads yet, so I figured why not (even though I don't have much to show). I am currently inactively working on improving it, and by that I mean I'm not doing any purchasing at the moment, but rather spending time researching components and checking the local thrift store and GW occasionally. I'm hoping that eventually I can get everything upgraded at some point, because although what I've got is alright, it's nowhere near what I'd like since I started caring about this kind of stuff. (I am fairly new to this thing but I am quickly finding my way around).

So without further ado, here's my listening apparatus:

Main System: The receiver and bookshelfs were assumed by me from my dad. I previously had a Sansui 5000x but one of the channels is out and I had to use the double mono :thumbsdn:
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Receiver: Sony STR-SE501 5.1 channel, 200w. It likes to sound harsh and hollow, definitely would like to get rid of it but for now it's what I've got.
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Speaker System A: Sony SS-M33's, 60w @ 6 ohms. These are alright speakers, fairly crisp, but when the woofer really hits there is some mechanical noise. Yuck!
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Speaker System B: Fisher STV-816's, 6-60w. These may have been made during Fisher's darker days, but for $14 they sound really nice.
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Bose 901 Series IV Active EQ (yes I know the dangers of using it, will sell it soon, but for now it's here).
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iPod Dock: Koda iStereo iP915, apparently it's got a 25wpc amplifier in there. This thing sounds good, looks great.
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PC System: This is what I use instead of a pair of computer speakers from Logitech or something of that sort. It's a nice little system overall.

Receiver: Aiwa XR-X77 CD Stereo System, 36w. A very nice little unit, I found it at an estate sale for $3. The frequency response on the low end is the only problem I've got with it.
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I wrote a full review on it here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/home-entertainment/aiwa-xr-x77/4864-6449_7-20016719.html?messageID=10144420

Speakers: Sony Satellite Speakers SS-V230. I would definitely like to upgrade these, I have nothing good to say about them but it's just what I've got at the moment. I guess it's good that they don't look too horrible though.
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Generic Passive Subwoofer, 30w. This provides the depth to the system, obviously the Sonys don't do that. at. all. This was bought for $1 so no regrets here.
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Sony SAW Active Sub, 100w. This is for moar boom when the parents aren't home ;)
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And last but not least, my alarm clock/small radio is a Bose Wave Radio I.
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Anyway, there's all my stuff for now. Tell me what you think! Just keep in mind, I'm 16 and I started reconsidering my equipment just a few months ago so it's a process. I do like the vintage stuff, and I like pretty much any harman/kardon equipment. Any time I get something new I will update on this thread.
 
So it's been a looong time since I updated here and really, I haven't had anything to add. I kinda fell out of the equipment loop because some other interests have taken precedence. BUT, I now have an update!

Went out to some estate sales Saturday with the fam (first time in MONTHS), didn't really expect to find or buy anything. One of them was at this super cool mid-century house (looked to have the original stove and some other pieces which was cool). As I was walking through it seemed quite picked-over, so I was doing it more because the house was too badass not to look through. As I went into the last room there was, I saw a console stereo with this sitting on top...


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A Technics SA-5170. Dust and grime all over the place. They were trying to sell it in combination with the console (it didn't have its integrated receiver) for $40, so I asked if they would sell separately and successfully offered $25 with cash in hand.

When I got the thing home, I was worried how it would look under the 35 years of crap that covered it. It seemed rough, but I was hopeful...


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Plus side, it turned right on and all the bulbs work.


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Inside was close to expected condition...


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After spending probably too much time taking pictures, I got to work. Removed the knobs and faceplate to clean them, dusted off the cover and used some Murphy's Oil Soap to clean it, and took some Q-tips to the pieces on the back. I am thoroughly happy with the end result, it's in almost flawless shape. Amazing turnaround.


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I took the vacuum hose to the inside but it still could use some compressed air, and the controls are past due for some Deoxit. I'm very happy with my find. After a search I found that it's about 25 wpc, it doesn't sound bad. Definitely doesn't have the "so-warm-that-you-could-melt" sound that the Sansui has, but really anything's an upgrade from the Sony AV receiver that it's replaced
 
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