Upgrading to an entry-level audiophile setup - Advice

W@P said:
If you can, while doing renovations, try to run a dedicated power line from the DB on its own breaker to where all the equipment will be.

I am having some issues where my SUB just randomly shakes the fscking earth with random thundering sounds. Even while everything is powered off and there is nothing playing. I have removed every component from the line and swapped/removed multiplugs. Using the same plug for everything, i have tried it all.

So have narrowed it down to being an earthing issue or the sub plate amp is faulty.

I really don't know what to try anymore.
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I can't say for certain that this would resolve your specific issue, but a dedicated line conditioner is highly recommended for any audio gear.

I've got two that I have had for over 20 years, even used one connected to an electrically noisy el-cheapo 5kw generator in the middle of the Karoo to power a 2.1 JBL EON system for a few days without any hassles.

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so i'm at an auction earlier this week - next thing an elderly yamaha av reciever comes up.
seems in decent condition.
the bidding starts : R150 > R200 > R300 . .
i leap in: R1500
sold !!

turns out it is 100% good, and in pristine condition.
going to give it to a friend - certainly not audiophile stuff, but exponentially better than her current amplifier

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so i got thinking - she has crappy speakers as well, but i have a few sets in the store room.
in i went, hunting for an old pair of tannoys.
grabbed them out and connected them to the yamaha, did a quick bit of tweaking.

gave the stuff a test run with a few tracks i normally use - i'm gobsmacked.
the yamaha & tannoys are a perfect match.
even at high volume the tannoys perform, handling low frequency bass tight and clean.

R1500 has managed to produce absolutely superb quality sound.
i'm not impressed easily, but here we have exceptional quality sound for the price of 3 cartons of cigarettes !

for those in cape town looking to upgrade - even to audiophile level, shop around.
there are a number of dealers who sell high end stuff, in exceptional condition, with warranty, at a fraction of new price.
ppl are always upgrading high end stuff, the gear they trade in will usually be 100% good and in pristine condition.

anyway - the R1500 system:

yamaha:
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tannoys:
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Grant said:
here we go again !!!

off in the morning to go buy this old girl.
absolutely no idea what i'm going to do with it, but rotel always produce clean and pure sound.

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1990's model if not mistaken. I had a similar looking one, probably the exact model which I really liked, fed with a compatible Rotel cdp. It was paired with Boston CR8 speakers. Very smooth and balanced with natural sound, typical of Rotel.

You'll enjoy it.👍🏼
 
You guys are making me hate myself for not taking my old man’s Technics component setup when he passed away.

Should have just stored it in my garage, because now years later I would have had space to setup a dedicated stereo setup.
 
Grant said:
here we go again !!!

off in the morning to go buy this old girl.
absolutely no idea what i'm going to do with it, but rotel always produce clean and pure sound.

View attachment 1845127

View attachment 1845128
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Had one of these as a loan item once while my amp was being repaired. From what I remember it was a good sounding amp that could bring out the detail in the music.
 
Pax said:
1990's model if not mistaken. I had a similar looking one, probably the exact model which I really liked, fed with a compatible Rotel cdp. It was paired with Boston CR8 speakers. Very smooth and balanced with natural sound, typical of Rotel.

You'll enjoy it.👍🏼
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yea, she is quite a few yrs old.
age did nit really concern me, condition is superb, but more importantly, rotel use very high quality components.

so smooth as well - for the princely sum of R1500
 
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garyc said:
Had one of these as a loan item once while my amp was being repaired. From what I remember it was a good sounding amp that could bring out the detail in the music.
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i'm very impressed with it.
not sure where i will land up using it - got way too much stuff at the moment - seems i've become a bit of a compulsive spender somehow.
a couple of weeks back it was a yamaha av receiver, then this.
but to top it all, yesterday i was looking about on facebook marketplace at watches - landed up buying a macbook pro !!!

i think i need psychotherapy.
 
SauRoNZA said:
You guys are making me hate myself for not taking my old man’s Technics component setup when he passed away.

Should have just stored it in my garage, because now years later I would have had space to setup a dedicated stereo setup.
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when my father passed away i kept the audio stuff - with the exception of a pr of massive duntech speakers (gave to my father's best friend), and a b&o beosound overture system that i insisted my mother keep - (she was not particularly interested).
most has stood in the store room, slowly over time ive been pulling things out.
for now, my place is looking a bit like some kind of sound shop - where nothing is for sale.

in all somewhat out of hand, and yet i cannot seem to part with the stuff - perhaps some weird "separation anxiety".
some came from my father, some i bought - but only because i got things at a fraction of the regular price.
 
I’ve completely forgotten about this thread

Thanks @Grant for keeping the seat warm :D

With my current MA Bronze 100’s and WiiM Amp, i’m just loving music all over again. My daily streaming platform has since moved over to Tidal.

I tried these bad boys out and bumped the bass when Battlefield 6 beta released, while the wife went to her family for a weekend visit, and boy oh boy the sound was amazing. I think the uncle next door is shell shocked though

Weirdly enough, since I bought these and started getting used to them, and equaliser tweaking, my ‘need’ for bass has disappeared. It could be the MA 100’s that have enough? But drum hits alone are so present and lively, i love it.

Before anyone says the speakers can’t be to close to each other, the monitor alone is 1.2m, add some speaker width and we have them far enough apart to open the sound stage.

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There is a one-day Audio Expo taking place in the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Saturday 22nd November. Doors open 09h00

Since all 10 dealers are together in one space,,there isn't the opportunity to,audition equipment. Instead, it will be more looking at equipment and accessories

The Cape Town Hi-Fi Club has its own table with a few sale items - about 10 audiophile vinyl records ranging in price from R200 to R500; some (5 left today) purpose built 10 amp mains conditioners in aluminium enclosures (filtered RF, EMI and surge supression). The club imported some Peiga solid silver speaker cable and 2 x terminated 6.2m pieces are available. Show prices are less 40%

The Cape Town Hi-Fi Club has a page on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/capetownhificlub/
 
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ViciousClone said:
Weirdly enough, since I bought these and started getting used to them, and equaliser tweaking, my ‘need’ for bass has disappeared. It could be the MA 100’s that have enough? But drum hits alone are so present and lively, i love it.
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i have a theory - may be completely incorrect, or may have some substance:
an amplifier having sufficient power to drive the speakers efficiently possibly negates the need to "top up" frequencies using equalizer settings
ViciousClone said:
Before anyone says the speakers can’t be to close to each other, the monitor alone is 1.2m, add some speaker width and we have them far enough apart to open the sound stage.

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i suspect the distance between the speakers is related to your listening position.
in theory, you are looking for the perfect triangle: speaker distance from each other and your distance from the speakers.

i read an interesting article about the angle, or "toe-in" angle of the speakers in relation to listening position.
theory is both speakers should point towards your nose, but seemingly increasing the "toe-in" can improve things somewhat.
so instead of both pointing at your nose, the left speaker points just past your right ear, and the right speaker points just past your right ear.
have not tried this myself tho !
 
FiestaST said:
Still satisfied with your setup @ViciousClone?
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Indeedy I am

The Monitor Audio 100’s bring vocals forward quite nicely, so even when used in meetings, they’re amazing

Listening to my favourites, very good separation and detail. Every set of speakers, headphones and earbuds i listen to, well, just makes me miss my setup

Currently it’s tuned on the WiiM amp with the sub output on -3

The Polk SW10 works just great for the space it’s in. And the Monitor Audio Bronze 100’s have decent low end on their own.

It creates for a fun listening experience

Drums just shine, I cant get enough of them.
 
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