• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Noob trying to put something together

S

sagebus

New Member
Howdy folks, I have bought a few things used off the internet, Sony STR-DE675 receiver, 2 JBL studio series S-312 speakers, 1 JBL studio series S-center, 2 JBL Northridge N24 speakers, 2 Mitsubishi SP-401 speakers. The sellers home surround system for $300. Next buy, Onkyo M5200 power amp, Onkyo EQ-140 equalizer and dual cassette TA-RW200 $140.00. also 2 Polk monitor 40 series II bookshelf speakers, 40 watts $100, Sony cd player DVP-NS-725P $25.00 I have the Sony receiver cd player and the JBL S-312's hooked up sounds decent I think at about 27 on the volume. Speakers don't seem to have much thump to them, I tried to add the power amp, receiver has no line out RCA jacks. So that's means no on power amp and or tha equalizer correct? So here's what the old noob is thinking, and please give me your opinion.Replace receiver with 2 channel one, don't need surround. something wit a pre-out or two for the power amp,the EQ or subwoofer. I like the idea of Bluetooth as i listen to a lot of music. You think the Yamaha R-S202 would put me where I would like to be. Middle of the road quality, cost and simplicity. Thank you for your time and thoughts, hope I posted in the proper forum. Mark
 
Register to hide this ad
Sorry everyone, I thought I had the post all laid out in paragraph's. Obviously I not skilled at posting in forums as well. How do you post in paragraph's in forums like this? A website with instructions somewhere
 
If I understand correctly, you are only wanting 2 channel stereo. If that is the case, make sure the sony receiver is set up to put out 2 channel stereo only, instead of surround sound, if you just have 2 speakers hooked up. I would then try each pair of speakers, keep the best sounding pair to listen to as you look for a preamp for that onkyo power amp. The sony receiver should be good enough to listen to till you get a preamp for the onkyo.

I would look for a preamp for the onkyo used on the cheap rather than buy the yamaha myself, but will listen to arguments otherwise.
 
Thanks for the advice daleeper. I am looking for a preamp. Just not sure what it is that i need to be looking for. I do like vintage stuff, Marantz, Pioneer ect. but don't have the ability to make repairs or what older models have the pre-out for the power amp or to add equalizer or subwoofer. I like the used and on the cheap suggestion. I would like to spend around $300.00 for the preamp. I would pay that for a vintage one that needed repair if it were a quality piece worth the repair cost.
 
If you don't need tone controls, and could bump up your budget a little, the Schiit Saga is nice. I like mine. They do show up in the used market, from time to time, for a little less.

Do a google search for "Schiit Saga audiokarma review". It will pull up all of the AK threads. (Much easier than using the search function here.) ;)
 
Thank you rickb119, never heard of Schiit Saga. I have head out for work but will look into it later today, quick look shows about $400. I could do that. It's someplace to start. Anyone else have a suggestion? Thank you everyone appreciate your time and thoughts
 
Even though you might not be interested in surround sound, there are on the used market some Sony ES 5.1 av receivers with great flexibility for connections and not costing much.
 
Thank you Avionic for kind welcome, and may I say thank you for your service to this country that allows me the opportunity to live free and pursue the things i love.
 
Reggaenaut thanks for the tip on the Sony ES models, ouch! those were/are pricey new. I saw a couple STR-GX700ES on e-bay any where from $1,000.00 to $85.00 I will look around a bit more after work late tonight
 
Sagebus, to answer your question on what to look for on a preamp, you need to determine what features you desire. That would include how many inputs you need, do you need an included preamp for a turntable. Any true preamp will by nature have output to amp. Some will include a tuner. If you want to use that equalizer then you need to find one that has processing input and output (a feature that I would not spend extra on). And of course it needs to be a quality, quiet unit. There have already been a couple of good suggestions of new preamps that have limited inputs and features, but good quality. There are ways of adding inputs with passive switchers if you don't mind it not being a part of the preamp unit.
 
Thanks again daleeper. Lets narrow this down. Dont really need a tuner as I live in a long valley very little radio reception in the Temescal Valley between Corona and Lake Elsinore Ca. Made the mistake of giving away all my vinyl when CD came out and I'm not going back now, so no turntable output required. Not having the equalizer wont matter to these ears. I would like to be able to use the Onkyo 5200 amp. and The JBL S-312 speakers and the Sony cd player I have now and perhaps a subwoofer in the future. I will have all week to learn more as I only work Fri. and Sat. night. The Schiit Saga looks interesting, those Sony ES models seem to get good reviews. As for Poultrygeist post, I have always liked old tube stuff, but I will need to learn a lot more about those once i get my bearings. Thanks everyone.
 
Well it looks like you only need 1 or 2 inputs, one for cd, and one for streaming in some way (you mentioned bluetooth in your first post) I would not want to do bluetooth myself, but some of the china made preamps do include bluetooth. I have one of the fx audio tube-01 preamps, and is very basic, but would allow you to hook up your cd player and play it thru your onkyo. When I bought mine it was at the $31. but I am not seeing them that inexpensive now, maybe Poultrygeist can guide you toward a cheap source. Schiit also makes a less expensive preamp called sys that is just a switch for 2 inputs and a volume pot, and cost $50. as basic as it can get. These inexpensive preamps fulfill the spirit of this particular forum, however, if it were me, I would be looking for a vintage preamp that would have more features than just a volume control.
 
Still looking for that receiver.A local seller has a Pioneer SX-990 for $180 firm that he says has dirt in the pots, dim light on the panel. need's to be serviced. I have looked on E Bay. One just serviced asking $400, some for parts only 180ish. The SX-990 looks like I could use my Onkyo M5200 amp.Could I run the CD player through the phono or tape inputs? It has auxiliary input that I would use for the NFC 5.0 Bluetooth stereo receiver device I picked up over the weekend for $13.95 sound's good to me. Youtube is where I get most of my music, someone on a forum on AK called youtube the 8 track tape of streaming music. Works great for me, no ad's at all. Thoughts on the SX-990 that needs service? Thanks again everyone
 
Here's a photo back of power amp. Just plug pre-amp out on the SX- WIN_20210323_18_20_37_Pro.jpg 990 to the in-put on the M5200 amp? Simple as that? And then the speaker wires to the M5200, so I wont need the AKM speaker plugs that are missing on the one may purchase? How about the center channel jack, powered sub woffer?
 
spending too much time talking dollars will get this thread moved to Dollars and Cents forum. The pioneer you are looking at will allow you to hook up to the power amp through the pre-outs. I seem to be lost on what your goal is with having both a stereo receiver and a separate power amp. Are you wanting two separate systems at some point, or wanting to utlilze the power amp because the amp should be of better quality? If you are willing to spend the money to repair that pioneer receiver, I would use it to power the speakers, and move the onkyo amp down the road. Just hooking the subwoofer up to a stereo receiver should not be a problem, but the center channel will need that av receiver to decode the signal properly and power the center channel. I really thought you were moving toward stereo, rather than surround sound, so maybe I have misunderstood you somewhere along the way.
 
I'd pass on the SX-990. That's a 50 year old receiver. Chances are very good that it will need service/repair in the near future. When that happens, and you get it repaired, you're now up to the cost of a new pre.

A better option would be to look for a newer ('90's, 5.1) AVR with pre outs. Pioneer, Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, etc. all made units with pre outs. Not the entry level, but some of the mid level and above had them. 5.1 AVR's are plentiful (although not all have pre outs), and cheap. Many also have sub out and remotes. The sub out would require a Y connector, and may have to be set up/turned on through the menu.

Of course the best option would be to get a stand alone pre, such as the Schiit. They do show up on that auction site, from time to time. They did make one without the tube (for a while), so that one should be a little cheaper.

sagebus said:
Here's a photo back of power amp. Just plug pre-amp out on the SX- 990 to the in-put on the M5200 amp? Simple as that? And then the speaker wires to the M5200
Click to expand...

Yes.
 
Thanks for hanging in there with me. daleeper, not really wanting two systems but why not.I am mostly trying to use most / some of the things listed in the beginning of my post that already bought before finding AK. My thinking when I started buying up stuff willy nilly was, buy vintage receiver with less wattage say 40w at a better price than a high powered model and then add the power amp. I am / was not opposed to having something cleaned and repaired if the unit is worth doing so.

rickb119, yep the SX-990 is old and does need repair, people seem to like it a lot. I like your option of early 5.1 AVR. And they are everywhere. Remote volume control is a plus. I'm reading good things about Sony STR-GX69ES, popular with 2-channel guys and looks like I could add my amp if needed.* the GX69ES does have 100w to front speakers though, and the little woman has already had to ask me to TURN IT DOWN a few times *
Hookup my little NFC bluetooth receiver to AUX the CD player and that's about all I need.

I have been listening to music on my laptop for the 10 years I sold everything to move to California. I know crazy. Couple years ago I treated myself to a Bose mini link II, wow what a diff from the dime size laptop to the Bose. Then this year a pair bluetooth galaxy earbud's, It was then while listening to Third stone from the sun by Jimi on those earbud's I realized what I have been missing all these years, Stereo Separation! So you know I don't need much!
I will say what I'm listening to now sound's great to me. Old Sony STR-DE675 through the two JBL studio series S-312's along with the streaming device and a CD player I am at least content, for now. So should I be looking for a receiver with that will compliment the speakers that I have? Thoughts on the GX-69ES? I am now off to look into the Schiit pre as advised and will check back soon, Thank's everyone
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom