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Starting my setup

J

jaikarsbains

New Member
Hello all,

I've just joined this forum to learn more about building a CD player hi-fi setup.

I will probably be getting a Marantz CD6006 for a player.

I've been looking at speakers in the area and have narrowed down a list:

  • JBL L77
  • JBL L110
  • JBL L40
  • Advent Large
  • AR - 5
  • AR-7 (needs refoaming)
  • AR2AX
  • Cerwin Vega S1
  • Altec Lansing Nine Series II
  • Yamaha NS-690
  • Wharfedale W70
What would you choose out of these? or any other speakers I should look for?
 
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jaikarsbains said:
Hello all,

I've just joined this forum to learn more about building a CD player hi-fi setup.

I will probably be getting a Marantz CD6006 for a player.

I've been looking at speakers in the area and have narrowed down a list:

  • JBL L77
  • JBL L110
  • JBL L40
  • Advent Large
  • AR - 5
  • AR-7 (needs refoaming)
  • AR2AX
  • Cerwin Vega S1
  • Altec Lansing Nine Series II
  • Yamaha NS-690
  • Wharfedale W70
What would you choose out of these? or any other speakers I should look for?
Click to expand...
Need to know what amplification.
 
I see you joined today so welcome to AK and here's hoping you enjoy your time here.

Genov said:
Need to know what amplification.
Click to expand...

jaikarsbains said:
Not sure yet. What do you recommend?
Click to expand...

Too many variables to answer that question, on top of what @Genov just posted

How much do you have budgeted to spend on one?

New or used?

Power amp & Pre-amp? Integrated amp? Receiver?

As to you speaker list

Speakers are subjective and what might sound good to one persons ears might not sound good to another.

The possibility that someone here on AK has listened to all the speakers you listed and has done comparisons is zero, so any suggestions you'll get will be more then likely biased.

Then you have to factor in what you'll be driving them with some speakers need a LOT of power while others don't.

Easier said then done but you best bet is to Demo if you can

How much do you have budgeted to spend on them?
 
Genov said:
You would need to answer some important questions before you can find a starting point:

1) what type of music do you listen to?
2) how loud do you listen?
3) size of your listening room?
Click to expand...
1. Hip Hop, R & B, Classic, and Jazz
2. Moderate level. Never blast music
3. 15' x 12'
 
Dswankey said:
I see you joined today so welcome to AK and here's hoping you enjoy your time here.





Too many variables to answer that question, on top of what @Genov just posted

How much do you have budgeted to spend on one?

New or used?

Power amp & Pre-amp? Integrated amp? Receiver?

As to you speaker list

Speakers are subjective and what might sound good to one persons ears might not sound good to another.

The possibility that someone here on AK has listened to all the speakers you listed and has done comparisons is zero, so any suggestions you'll get will be more then likely biased.

Then you have to factor in what you'll be driving them with some speakers need a LOT of power while others don't.

Easier said then done but you best bet is to Demo if you can

How much do you have budgeted to spend on them?
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply.

Can be new or used.

Was thinking under 1,500 CAD (~1100 USD) for Speakers and amplifier.
 
jaikarsbains said:
Thanks for your reply.

Can be new or used.

Was thinking under 1,500 CAD (~1100 USD) for Speakers and amplifier.
Click to expand...

With this budget you should be able to source a nice set up.

A couple of things

You'll need to clarify what it is you want?

You have 3 options

Power amplifier? if so you will need to also acquire a Pre-amplfier

Integrated amplifier? (Power & Pre combined in one unit)

Receiver? (Power, Pre & Tuner combined in one unit)

A good rule of thumb is you can never have too much power
 
You're list of speakers looks like it's been compiled from reading a lot of threads on AK, which is a decent starting point if you're set on buying used antiques. If you don't plan on listening before buying, you might as well just throw darts at your list. And that goes for every other component that you need. No one can tell you what will sound best to you but yourself. The most useful advice you can get from these forums is general audio system related guides like establishing amplifier power needs for whatever speakers you end up choosing, or how to locate and position your speakers for the best results. In my opinion, asking everyone here what the best components are from your "possibles" lists is a waste of time, unless you're just talking about overall features, build quality and long-term reliability. I always recommend buying and reading a good book like The Complete Guide to High-End Audio by Robert Harley. It has very good insight on how to build an audio system that meets your needs and desires. By the way, I think the Marantz CD6006 would be a good upper entry level CD player, as long as it's in very good operating condition. Good build quality with a proven Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC, and the all-important remote control. :thumbsup:
 
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Being a fan of Yamaha, I would go for the NS-690's. Fine sounding speakers IMO. Many feel that they are bass shy, but I feel that they lean more towards accurate. Plenty of speaker for your room size. Easy to drive.
 
Dswankey said:
With this budget you should be able to source a nice set up.

A couple of things

You'll need to clarify what it is you want?

You have 3 options

Power amplifier? if so you will need to also acquire a Pre-amplfier

Integrated amplifier? (Power & Pre combined in one unit)

Receiver? (Power, Pre & Tuner combined in one unit)

A good rule of thumb is you can never have too much power
Click to expand...
I think integrated amplifier is what I was going to get.
 
Integrated are a great way to go imho, one of the cool things about them is they can be multi-functional.

What I mean by this is when you start looking for one try and determine if it has "Pre-Out" & "Main/Power in"

For example, here is a Sansui AU-717 Integrated amp, widely beloved and a beast of a unit.

Screen Shot 2024-07-13 at 1.27.56 PM.png


Screen Shot 2024-07-13 at 1.26.49 PM.png

This way as you continue on your audio journey you'll have the ability if you want of adding a separate Pre-amp and use just the integrateds power amp section or vice versa as noted above.

Again this was just an example and there are a good amount of Integrateds that have this capability
 
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“A good rule of thumb is you can never have too much power”. Those of us that grew up involved with audio in the late 70’s and on into the 80’s, were lead to believe that more watts mean better quality.

A great way to save money in this hobby, is to choose an integrated amp with lower watts (absolutely no loss of quality) and match it with speakers that are very efficient.

Because of the belief that high power is one of the most important factors, higher watt amps are much more expensive, while lower watt units, fly under the radar, and can be MUCH less expensive.
 
Genov said:
“A good rule of thumb is you can never have too much power”. Those of us that grew up involved with audio in the late 70’s and on into the 80’s, were lead to believe that more watts mean better quality.

A great way to save money in this hobby, is to choose an integrated amp with lower watts (absolutely no loss of quality) and match it with speakers that are very efficient.

Because of the belief that high power is one of the most important factors, higher watt amps are much more expensive, while lower watt units, fly under the radar, and can be MUCH less expensive.
Click to expand...
And you can get some very good NEW integrated amps that are very affordable and can drive all of the speakers on his list without issue.
 
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