Audiophile Newb Needs Some Help

[Lapes21]

Hi guys, I’m new to the audiophile world but am an audio engineer so I’m very familiar with that area. Have enjoyed all the information on the forum about my new equipment but I'm still a little lost.

I really have no clue what I’m doing in this realm but I recently paid $500 to a neighbor for 4 ADS 1290/2 (1 not working), an Adcom GFA-555II, Adcom GFA-2535, Pioneer PL518X, DBX 10/20 EQ, Nakamichi RX202 cassette deck, Parasound C/PT-600 preamp, Harmon Kardon PM645, Sony STR-DE935, Yamaha RX-V850, Onkyo TX-V940, and 2 Sony SS-U400 speakers.

I know a lot of this stuff is old but first off, good deal or no? Second and more importantly, how should I set up the ADS speakers? I’d be fine just keeping two. I assume use the GFA-555II to power them but what about the preamp? Wouldn't mind having to buy a nice tube pre.

Also how can I get in contact with Richard So to fix the broken one and maybe refurb/recone the others? Last question, don’t want to be too needy but how do you properly clean speaker cones from all the dust/hair?

Thanks for all your help in advance!

 

[Blue Shadow]

Can't talk value here except in dollars and sense forum. You ave been looking at ak for long enough to know whether you got a deal or not. Just lift some of that stuff, by the pound, hell ova deal.

Yes, you need to dump the detritus and buy a tube preamp. I would keep the 1290s until I knew I would not need them or if you have to have funds for the tube pre.

adsspeakerservice should bring up his site. Domes don't clean, cones use a brush to remove the major parts and if almost clean and needs a wipe, a microfiber might get it and a damp cloth ain't gonna kill it. Don't make the cone move anywhere but in its normal in and out motion as you clean to keep the parts all properly positioned and in proper shape.

 

[Dswankey]

how should I set up the ADS speakers?.... I assume use the GFA-555II to power them

Also how can I get in contact with Richard So to fix the broken one and maybe refurb/recone the others?

Thanks for all your help in advance!

That is a correct assumption,

Search engines are your friends, I entered "Richard So" and the first hit I got (see link below) was his website from there right on the front page is a "contact us" which will provide you with contact information

https://www.adsspeakersservice.com/

Nice batch of equipment you picked up and welcome to AK

 

[avionic]

Welcome aboard AK Lapes

 

[Lapes21]

Can't talk value here except in dollars and sense forum.

Oops my apologies. Thought my question was worded well enough that it didn't specifically ask about a value just a general yes or no.

Yes, you need to dump the detritus and buy a tube preamp.

I was planning on keeping the ADS, 555II, and the turntable. Is there anything else worth keeping or sell the rest for whatever I can? Also any specific tube pre's I should consider?

Search engines are your friends, I entered "Richard So" and the first hit I got (see link below) was his website from there right on the front page is a "contact us" which will provide you with contact information

Once again oops. I thought I had to get into contact with him through this forum and didn't even think to google him.

Thank you for the welcome and I'm excited to get into this world. I have some Barefoot Footprint 01's as my studio monitors so I def appreciate high quality sound systems.

 

[bhunter]

Yes, you did well on your purchase. Also, do not underestimate the Adcom GFA-2535.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I'd hook up a rig with the preamp, power amp, phono and a pair of speakers and see if the other items get any second looks.

The eq is desirable and could be helpful if you need to make corrections for the room. Cassette, it probably needs belts but would be a fine cassette if you ever need to play one. I don't see recording new cassettes much.

The HK might be a nice unit for a second system. 40 watts is fine.

the four receivers...look like too new, too much video and I could live without them.
The other GFA, if you need 4 channels of power or other odd configuration, but I'd move it on with receivers.

Then see what you have and decide where to go from there, from the point of having a nice working main system.

 

[wmgwizard]

For $500 you did very well.

The speaker that is not working, could you provide further information? No sound at all, the mid or tweeter is dead ?
Many of the larger ADS speakers have fuses, have you checked ?
Are you sure its the speaker or could it have been a connection error ?

I would use the Pioneer TT, the Parasound preamp, Adcom GFA-555 and a pair of the ADS speakers and have a pretty respectable system. You do not need to go buy a tube preamp, one could be nice...and potentially expensive but not an absolute necessity.

Take the Harman Kardon and the other set of ADS speakers up as a second system.

 

[Lapes21]

Yes, you did well on your purchase. Also, do not underestimate the Adcom GFA-2535.

Yea I do see the value of that but if I only keep two ADS speakers I guess I wouldn't need the 2535. Shoot maybe another question, if I were to keep all 4 ADS, how would you position 4 speakers? 2 up front, 2 behind or what? Since it's not a 5.1 system I don't quite know.

The eq is desirable and could be helpful if you need to make corrections for the room.

I'll have to see how the speakers react to my room but I do have a lot of GIK 244 bass traps in this room and vaulted ceilings so I could move on from the eq. I have no need for a cassette player so I'd get rid of that, hopefully someone finds it valuable.

the four receivers...look like to new, too much video and I could live without them.

Definitely was going to sell all the receivers unless otherwise noted.

Good info on the other stuff everyone. I really appreciate the help.

 

[Lapes21]

The speaker that is not working, could you provide further information? No sound at all, the mid or tweeter is dead ?
Many of the larger ADS speakers have fuses, have you checked ?
Are you sure its the speaker or could it have been a connection error ?

No idea, I haven't even tried them yet. That info was just relayed to me from the seller. Also bought them yesterday and wanted to clean them and make sure my connections were correct before messing anything up.

I would use the Pioneer TT, the Parasound preamp, Adcom GFA-555 and a pair of the ADS speakers and have a pretty respectable system. You do not need to go buy a tube preamp, one could be nice...and potentially expensive but not an absolute necessity.

Take the Harman Kardon and the other set of ADS speakers up as a second system.

Sweet cool idea. Thank you for the tips.

 

[Dswankey]

The speaker that is not working, could you provide further information? No sound at all, the mid or tweeter is dead ? Many of the larger ADS speakers have fuses, have you checked ?
Are you sure its the speaker or could it have been a connection error ?

No idea, I haven't even tried them yet. That info was just relayed to me from the seller. Also bought them yesterday and wanted to clean them and make sure my connections were correct before messing anything up.

Once you get set up and can test them let us know in a separate thread (see below) what you find working and or not working on the one speaker, take pics if you notice any external physical damage. ADS speakers are well thought of here and plenty of owners who will chime in and help you pinpoint what is going on with it.

I would create a separate thread in the "Speaker" section here at AK with a clear thread title referencing ADS & the model # along with not working, help needed or something to that affect. This current thread title is vague and make no reference to what particular help you're looking for

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/speakers.27/

 

[Dswankey]

if I were to keep all 4 ADS, how would you position 4 speakers? 2 up front, 2 behind or what? Since it's not a 5.1 system I don't quite know.

You can position them anyway you like it'll still be just 2 channel stereo as for how to wire up 2 pair of speakers to the back of that amp I'll let someone else chime in on that if it can be done.

 

[Dswankey]

Not sure what the difference is between the 1290 & 1290/2 but you might find the links below interesting reading

http://sportsbil.com/ads/l-1290-brochures.pdf

http://sportsbil.com/ads/l-1290_and_l-1290_ownersmanual.pdf

 

[daveg3588]

The Adcom 2535 can run with 1 set bridged, I use the 2535 for my rear channels and my center channel. Bridged into mono for the center channel it delivers 200 watts. The 2535 is a great amp.

 

[xero-D-hero]

I would use the Pioneer TT, the Parasound preamp, Adcom GFA-555 and a pair of the ADS speakers and have a pretty respectable system. You do not need to go buy a tube preamp, one could be nice...and potentially expensive but not an absolute necessity.

This ^^^^ x2,,,JM2¢...

Welcome to AK !

Bret P.

 

[Artie]

That little PM645 would make a killer little amp for a garage/workshop situation. Also, you could probably get a significant amount of your money back on the Nak RX202 alone. People love those decks.

P.S. In the "old" days, stacked Advents were real popular. I don't see why stacked ADS's wouldn't sound just as good. (If not better.)

 

[Lapes21]

I would create a separate thread in the "Speaker" section here at AK with a clear thread title referencing ADS & the model # along with not working, help needed or something to that affect.

Will do, yea my questions were too far ranging to put in a specific section.

The Adcom 2535 can run with 1 set bridged, I use the 2535 for my rear channels and my center channel. Bridged into mono for the center channel it delivers 200 watts. The 2535 is a great amp.

Excuse my ignorance but what does the wiring for that look like?

That little PM645 would make a killer little amp for a garage/workshop situation. Also, you could probably get a significant amount of your money back on the Nak RX202 alone. People love those decks.

Darnit I already have enough speaker systems lol. I guess you're right though. Yea from what I gathered during research the Nak was pretty well regarded I just wasn't sure of the demand for those these days.

Once again thank you everyone, you've been super helpful in clarifying things for me.

 

[daveg3588]

Will do, yea my questions were too far ranging to put in a specific section.

I run a 5.1 system. Use my B & K preamp, For stereo it is set to stereo front and rear. Mac 2200 runs the fronts and the 2535 runs the rears. I also have an Adcom speaker switch box for the front speakers that I drive a second set of speakers in the living room, Main system is in the family room. I can run 2, 4 or six speakers as set up, plus the center channel. I am a JBL guy, so all speakers are JBL in my signature. The L200t3 would be similar to your 1290's. The 555 is 200 watts like the Mac 2200. Kick ass system when you light things up.
Excuse my ignorance but what does the wiring for that look like?



Darnit I already have enough speaker systems lol. I guess you're right though. Yea from what I gathered during research the Nak was pretty well regarded I just wasn't sure of the demand for those these days.

Once again thank you everyone, you've been super helpful in clarifying things for me.

 

[daveg3588]

As set up in my corner