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Building a stereo system

BluePhantom2

BluePhantom2

New Member
I've been wanting to build a new high end system for a couple years to replace my cheap, thrown together system that's been serving me well for some time. Currently ive got a Sony PS-LX300USB turntable, Sony LBT-D105 receiver and an old Sony CD player. Speakers are a pair of Polk tower speakers from the 90's that i really love. Mainly i want a system that has a standalone equalizer box with even more bands to play with and a much nicer turntable to give me more adjust ability, several records i have are out of pitch and play ever so slightly too fast, just enough that it ruins the experience. After some research i came across a Yamaha CR-600 in really good shape for a good price on eBay, but i haven't decided on if i should bid or not. I was considering an Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB for its features and easy to find parts. No clue if those two would work well together. I'm new to shopping for audio equipment and would love a system where all the components besides the turntable match, but i have no idea where to start- not trying to break the bank but a nice setup would be very nice. Any information helps!
 
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The best way to save some money is to build your own speakers. Speakers are marked up 10 times what it costs to build them. If you want to go moderate, go to parts express. High end, go Madisound. It is not that difficult to builds your own speakers. You may also build your own amplifiers. This is a bit more difficult, but if you are game you could build the honeybadger amplifier in DIY website. It is fairly easy for beginners. This will stretch you audio dollars way out.
 
PRESSON100 said:
The best way to save some money is to build your own speakers. Speakers are marked up 10 times what it costs to build them. If you want to go moderate, go to parts express. High end, go Madisound. It is not that difficult to builds your own speakers. You may also build your own amplifiers. This is a bit more difficult, but if you are game you could build the honeybadger amplifier in DIY website. It is fairly easy for beginners. This will stretch you audio dollars way out.
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Any recommendations for good quality receiver/equalizer/tape deck combo that would fit well with that setup? as for speakers i have my dads old Polk tower speakers form the 90's that i really like, but building my own in the future would be a good option.
 
I would recommend separates over a receiver. Probably get a hafler amplifier and preamplifier. Halfler made a class A preamplifier that is pretty good. For an equalizer get a teknics 3065. Cannot go wrong. Also, there is an Onkyo CD player for about 160$ that is the best deal unless you want to spend a lot for one. I use in on my kitchen and garage systems.
 
For the same money as new you can get good stuff used. I'd level up a little and look at Technics SL- 4 digit series TTs they are pretty rock solid. For disc spinner how about a used Oppo DVD player or for a little more BDP-95 or BDP-83SE those will play everything. If you have real $$ a BDP-105 can also act as a USB DAC.
 
PRESSON100 said:
I would recommend separates over a receiver. Probably get a hafler amplifier and preamplifier. Halfler made a class A preamplifier that is pretty good. For an equalizer get a teknics 3065. Cannot go wrong. Also, there is an Onkyo CD player for about 160$ that is the best deal unless you want to spend a lot for one. I use in on my kitchen and garage systems.
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How does a separated system work? what'd the benefits be over using a receiver?
 
Seperates allow you to pick and choose parts. Some recievers have excellent amplifier components but mediocre tuners (or vice versa). Some of the higher-end stuff isn't available except as seperates. (nobody's going to bolt a tuner and preamp onto a 70kg class-A amplifier)
There's also potentially less complexity in each component, and potentially thermal benefits of not packing it all in one box.
 
Always start with speakers.

Better speakers with your current system would be a big improvement.

Good luck in your quest.
 
Hak Foo said:
Seperates allow you to pick and choose parts. Some recievers have excellent amplifier components but mediocre tuners (or vice versa). Some of the higher-end stuff isn't available except as seperates. (nobody's going to bolt a tuner and preamp onto a 70kg class-A amplifier)
There's also potentially less complexity in each component, and potentially thermal benefits of not packing it all in one box.
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thanks for the clarification, ill defiantly be looking into trying to figure that out. Any recommendations to look into brands/series for good vintage sound? particularly like the silver faced components and am really looking to build a system that all matches. Of course ascetics are thrown to the wind if there is a particularly mind blowing configuration that isn't matching. Really just a list of the components needed would do me particularly good
 
There's really no 'perfect' configuration. You just have to know what's well regarded and what's not and buy when you see a good deal. And keep trying stuff.

Knowing the model of your speakers would help us decide if those are a weak link or if they can stay...
 
It's way cheaper and more effective to buy a vintage tuner to add you your DIY system.

Unlike other parts of a stereo, tuners from the big Japanese makers like Yamaha, Marantz, Technics etc. were way better than most anything you can get now. And since radio really REALLY sucks in most places, tuners are available all over ebay and here on AK Bartertown for a song.

Every time I fire up the tuner on my 1970's vintage Yamaha CR-2020 I am amazed at the quality and strength of the signals it can bring in. It performs far better than the digital tuner in my B&K Reference 50 S2 pre/pro and that thing cost over 2 grand when it was new.

For a turntable, if you go with a clean SL-1200 you will have an easy pitch control. If you live near a Guitar Center, look to see if they have any used SL-1200 for sale. 90% of the people selling turntables on ebay have no clue how to safely ship them. Here on AK BarterTown, it's the opposite, so you have a way better chance of getting an intact product.

But if you have a Guitar Center, they will have one you don't have to ship. And I think they offer some kind of warranty but don't quote me on that.
 
N8Nagel said:
There's really no 'perfect' configuration. You just have to know what's well regarded and what's not and buy when you see a good deal. And keep trying stuff.

Knowing the model of your speakers would help us decide if those are a weak link or if they can stay...
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Polk LS-50. Once some funds roll in ill upgrade my membership and start combing through the marketplace and see if i cant stumble onto some good deals! probably start with searching for a good amp and build from there- as for building the amp myself as suggested i'm just not comfortable enough with my soldering iron to know i wont screw it up.
 
MannyE said:
It's way cheaper and more effective to buy a vintage tuner to add you your DIY system.

Unlike other parts of a stereo, tuners from the big Japanese makers like Yamaha, Marantz, Technics etc. were way better than most anything you can get now. And since radio really REALLY sucks in most places, tuners are available all over ebay and here on AK Bartertown for a song.

Every time I fire up the tuner on my 1970's vintage Yamaha CR-2020 I am amazed at the quality and strength of the signals it can bring in. It performs far better than the digital tuner in my B&K Reference 50 S2 pre/pro and that thing cost over 2 grand when it was new.

For a turntable, if you go with a clean SL-1200 you will have an easy pitch control. If you live near a Guitar Center, look to see if they have any used SL-1200 for sale. 90% of the people selling turntables on ebay have no clue how to safely ship them. Here on AK BarterTown, it's the opposite, so you have a way better chance of getting an intact product.

But if you have a Guitar Center, they will have one you don't have to ship. And I think they offer some kind of warranty but don't quote me on that.
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Sadly the only used Technics turntables GC has listed are in Florida, bit to far of a drive from up here in Washington. I keep seeing those Yamaha setups like you mentioned on here and several other web sights, would it be a good option to keep my eyes open for?
 
i wouldnt even bother with an equalizer. just get yourself a gfa-555 and a gfp-555 and call it a day. those polks will sing unlike ever before. if you still need more, look into parts express diy speaker kits. most affordable high quality speakers you’ll find from a reputable source

really you dont need the gfa-555, but if you got it you will NEVER need something different
 
if you want a cd player look into the teac cd-p650. burr brown dac for usb ipod/iphone connectivity, looks good, and its cheap
 
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