TooMany45s
New Member
Hey all,
I've somehow managed to cram 3 setups and 5 turntables into an 800 Sq ft. open floorplan apartment with no doors between living spaces. Don't ask me how I do it, because I can't wrap my around it myself. I really enjoy seeing everyone's listening spaces here, so I thought I would contribute.
I posted a quick photo of my living room set up in the introductions section but thought I would detail the gear a bit more here.
Top to bottom, left to right we've got a Micro Seiki Solid5 Turntable, Pioneer SX-950, Pioneer RT-707, Furman Power Conditioner, and a Marantz PMD-500D DVD player, both mounted in a Nice Racks Walnut 2U rack. On the very bottom shelf, I have a Chromecast Audio fed into a Topping D50 DAC, as well as a TC-7240 input switcher and a TC-7220 Amp/Speaker router.
On the right, the turntable is a Pioneer PL-518, followed by a Marantz 112/3200/140 Stack, sitting on top of an Akai CS-703D Cassette deck.
The Micro deck is the newest addition and I'm in love with it. Currently I have a Grado Black installed as it came with the table. I've never been impressed with Grado gear...until hearing it on this table. I've ordered a Grado 8MZ V Stylus to try, and really looking forward to it. Overall, it's an absolute pleasure to use.
Another surprise was the SX-950. It's been in a shootout with my Marantz stack for several months, and it's going to take the title for the living room setup. Looks and sounds beautiful. Build quality is incredible and the toggle switches are fun to flip. I auditioned an SX-1250 for several months and I much prefer the sound of the 950.
I must love punishment because the RT-707 comes in a close 2nd for my favorite way to consume media. As much as I enjoy making mix tapes and experimenting with different brands of tape, I'm one of the lucky ones that actually enjoy a lot of the music that was put on a reel. Exotica, Jazz and Easy Listening. If you've never heard an open reel, I think you'd be blown away by the depth and quality of the recordings. I added some cool looking black walnut 'cheeks' to the deck to tie it in with the rest of the wood on the rack.
Nothing too fancy down below. The Topping DAC takes the chromecast audio form tolerable to enjoyable and I'm finding that I'm streaming a bit more since I've added it. I use it with Spotify and my library through google play music. decent enough quality for checking out new music and casual listening.
The power conditioner is a must, and the Marantz deck does well enough for the very occasional CD I might play.
The Input selector switch gives me an option to play the CD player/Streamer and Tape decks on either amp setup, and the speaker/amp switch allows me to easily a/b speakers and amps. I usually have The Smaller Advent Loudspeaker powered by the SX-950 and Dynaco A25s on the Marantz, but right now I've got a pair of Dynaco A25XL's hooked up and enjoying them with both amps.
On the right side, I've got a Pioneer PL-518 with a Nagaoka MP110 Cart. I love this combo, and it tends to be a bit more forgiving with flawed vinyl over my other living room table. This has to be one of my favorite Pioneer offerings, even more so than some of the Pioneer tables I've owned higher up the food chain.
The Marantz stack is a really fun setup. The tuner doesn't get too much use because the 950 tuner is fantastic. I do love the amp, and the 3200 pre is fine, but for my ears, the SX-950 is inching this one out...to make room for my first tube setup. The Akai cassette deck doesn't get much play but handles the handful of cassettes I own.
Like many of you, this always seems to be a work in progress, but I'm excited to start learning and experiencing some tube audio...now, just to find a place in my apartment for that Marantz. It might have to go to the office!
I've somehow managed to cram 3 setups and 5 turntables into an 800 Sq ft. open floorplan apartment with no doors between living spaces. Don't ask me how I do it, because I can't wrap my around it myself. I really enjoy seeing everyone's listening spaces here, so I thought I would contribute.
I posted a quick photo of my living room set up in the introductions section but thought I would detail the gear a bit more here.
Top to bottom, left to right we've got a Micro Seiki Solid5 Turntable, Pioneer SX-950, Pioneer RT-707, Furman Power Conditioner, and a Marantz PMD-500D DVD player, both mounted in a Nice Racks Walnut 2U rack. On the very bottom shelf, I have a Chromecast Audio fed into a Topping D50 DAC, as well as a TC-7240 input switcher and a TC-7220 Amp/Speaker router.
On the right, the turntable is a Pioneer PL-518, followed by a Marantz 112/3200/140 Stack, sitting on top of an Akai CS-703D Cassette deck.
The Micro deck is the newest addition and I'm in love with it. Currently I have a Grado Black installed as it came with the table. I've never been impressed with Grado gear...until hearing it on this table. I've ordered a Grado 8MZ V Stylus to try, and really looking forward to it. Overall, it's an absolute pleasure to use.
Another surprise was the SX-950. It's been in a shootout with my Marantz stack for several months, and it's going to take the title for the living room setup. Looks and sounds beautiful. Build quality is incredible and the toggle switches are fun to flip. I auditioned an SX-1250 for several months and I much prefer the sound of the 950.
I must love punishment because the RT-707 comes in a close 2nd for my favorite way to consume media. As much as I enjoy making mix tapes and experimenting with different brands of tape, I'm one of the lucky ones that actually enjoy a lot of the music that was put on a reel. Exotica, Jazz and Easy Listening. If you've never heard an open reel, I think you'd be blown away by the depth and quality of the recordings. I added some cool looking black walnut 'cheeks' to the deck to tie it in with the rest of the wood on the rack.
Nothing too fancy down below. The Topping DAC takes the chromecast audio form tolerable to enjoyable and I'm finding that I'm streaming a bit more since I've added it. I use it with Spotify and my library through google play music. decent enough quality for checking out new music and casual listening.
The power conditioner is a must, and the Marantz deck does well enough for the very occasional CD I might play.
The Input selector switch gives me an option to play the CD player/Streamer and Tape decks on either amp setup, and the speaker/amp switch allows me to easily a/b speakers and amps. I usually have The Smaller Advent Loudspeaker powered by the SX-950 and Dynaco A25s on the Marantz, but right now I've got a pair of Dynaco A25XL's hooked up and enjoying them with both amps.
On the right side, I've got a Pioneer PL-518 with a Nagaoka MP110 Cart. I love this combo, and it tends to be a bit more forgiving with flawed vinyl over my other living room table. This has to be one of my favorite Pioneer offerings, even more so than some of the Pioneer tables I've owned higher up the food chain.
The Marantz stack is a really fun setup. The tuner doesn't get too much use because the 950 tuner is fantastic. I do love the amp, and the 3200 pre is fine, but for my ears, the SX-950 is inching this one out...to make room for my first tube setup. The Akai cassette deck doesn't get much play but handles the handful of cassettes I own.
Like many of you, this always seems to be a work in progress, but I'm excited to start learning and experiencing some tube audio...now, just to find a place in my apartment for that Marantz. It might have to go to the office!
A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do! 
