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How to improve my setup for better sound?

Wesley14

Wesley14

New Member
Hi, I'm kind of a newbie to hifi and my setup is just things I inherited over time. I am looking to improve my sound without spending a whole lot if money (I'm just going to start college and work full time at McDonald's so I'm not exactly rich)
My setup is:
Technics SA-EX110 receiver
Sony CDP-291 CD player
Pioneer CT-W205R cassette deck
Sansui P-D10 turntable
Kenwood LSK-02S speakers

What are some things I can do to improve it, or what are some good things to lookout for?

Thanks :D
 
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Frank Sol said:
Tough one here...

Let's begin with: What do you think you are missing when listening to music ?
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When I play music it sounds ok to me but I think I should be able to hear a bigger difference if I play a tape vs an lp and I don't really, except some wow and flutter.
 
That's a solid start, which the exception of the speakers. Those are by far the weakest link by any measure. My usual recommendation for speakers on a budget are Boston Acoustics CR series. Those can be had for ~$50 or so and are reference speakers.

I have that same cassette deck. It's a good deck, so I'm not surprised it sounds so good compared to vinyl.
 
You know... you can take the blue pill or the red pill :king:

One will send you down into the rabbit hole chasing a dream

The other will let you live a 'normal' life enjoying your Music

IMO... with your present lack of funds I would say relax and enjoy what you have until your earning$ pickup and you have saved some money then get better Speakers
 
I agree, Speakers usually are the first upgrade. Or maybe add a subwoofer, Your looking good for a new guy and first rig. Welcome to AK BTW
 
The speakers seem to be the weakest link.
Google says they are 4" full range speakers in a 5 X 7 cabinet that weigh just less than 3 pounds each?
 
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4-2-7 said:
Your space and learning how to setup the system for best imaging should be the first place to start.
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Wesley14 said:
What specs should I be looking for in a good pair of speakers?
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I mentioned your space, not specs.

What I'm getting at is learning how to setup your room and system within that room to get the best out of it. You might have to move the furniture around and make it more of a listening space, opposed to a living space.
 
4-2-7 said:
I mentioned your space, not specs.

What I'm getting at is learning how to setup your room and system within that room to get the best out of it. You might have to move the furniture around and make it more of a listening space, opposed to a living space.
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Oh I know what you meant, I just mean technical specs in speakers. I actually meant to reply to
NeedForSpeed said:
I agree, Speakers usually are the first upgrade. Or maybe add a subwoofer, Your looking good for a new guy and first rig. Welcome to AK BTW
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Wesley14 said:
Oh I know what you meant, I just mean technical specs in speakers. I actually meant to reply to
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How large a room do you have? 4-2-7 is getting at, Get set up so you have good imaging, A good "Sweet" spot to sit and listen. Next what genre's music do you listen too. I'm a classic rock/classical guy, So a small speaker for mains, Won't fly. Need to get some bass response going. Don't know your budget, But start looking in bartertown or elsewhere for some good 2 or 3 way speakers

JBL "L" series are good, And affordable, Pioneer HPM 40 or 60, Infinity/Cerwin Vega. Need a 10" woofer or larger to get some lower frequencies in the mix. Some guys go with a small speaker, And add a subwoofer, Which if your on a budget, Could try. The point is, Getting more dynamic, A fuller sound. Happy hunting
 
Of course you realize you have that ailment called "audiophile itch". It never goes away. I am in my 70's and I first got it when I was 12 years old.
The first signs of the illness are "what can I do to improve what I have"? It goes south from there.
You will spend sleepless nights thinking about cartridges, speakers, amplifiers, turntables and who know what else.
It is also addictive. The more you work on it the more you will want to.
Welcome to the several million who know what they want to hear and are willing to work at it.
 
I agree, your speakers are the weak link. The Pioneers listed above are very nice. There are a lot of good sounding speakers out there that won't bust your budget if your willing to hit up thrift stores and garage sales. Over the past year, I've bought KLH Model 6s and Model 32s, Baby Advents, Polk Monitor 30s, Bozak LS200s and Jensen Model 1s and didn't pay more than $30 a pair for any of them. Some of them needed new surrounds, a couple had cabs that needed work and I put new caps in all of them, But if your willing to do the work it's not expensive. To me that's really the fun of this hobby, hunting for diamonds in the rough and bringing them back to life.
KLH Model 6-3

KLH Model 6-3

  • Media owner bigaltx24
  • Date added
Baby Advents 2

Baby Advents 2

  • Media owner bigaltx24
  • Date added
 
Wesley14 said:
Hi, I'm kind of a newbie to hifi and my setup is just things I inherited over time. I am looking to improve my sound without spending a whole lot if money (I'm just going to start college and work full time at McDonald's so I'm not exactly rich)
My setup is:
Technics SA-EX110 receiver
Sony CDP-291 CD player
Pioneer CT-W205R cassette deck
Sansui P-D10 turntable
Kenwood LSK-02S speakers

What are some things I can do to improve it, or what are some good things to lookout for?

Thanks :D
Click to expand...

As others have mentioned, you have a pretty good start there and most of us feel your speakers are the weak link.
What kind of room do you have, what kind of music do you play, and at what volume levels?
Frank Sol made a couple good speaker recommendations above, here's three more
https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...kshelf-speaker-with-amt-tweeter-pair--300-651
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair--300-652
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-t652-dual-6-1-2-2-way-tower-speaker-pair--300-653

Keep in mind, we're trying to get you into a better level of performance from where you are (without breaking the bank) and not top of the line performance, though we can do that too if your wallet permits it!
 
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