Stereo equipment recommendations for the current millienium

[docbennett]

My experience with hi-fidelity audiophile stereo equipment ended in the '70's, just as I got married. Believe it or not, I still have most of the same equipment I had when I got married in November of '79. At that point, my search for new stuff basically ended. My wife is more tolerant of my equipment these days (I have become much better at concealing it :laugh.

About a year ago, I bought some equipment on eBay, but I am currently unhappy with everything except my speakers.

So...secure in the knowledge that I now have enough speakers to power several audio systems, please provide your thoughts and recommendations for the following:

1) Turntables...my knowledge basically ended with the Garrard zero-100 and the Dual 1220 series. I'd like to buy a decent turntable (under $600 please) that would complement my extensive vinyl collection.

2) Cartridges...again, my knowledge ended with the Shure M-95 ED, along with the Pickering and the Stanton hi-end cartridges

3) Receivers...most important, since the Denon I got last year was a disappointment. Want to be able to run the TV, DVD, CD, turntable through it, with great fidelity. My knowledge of decent receivers went out the window in the '70's but I always lusted after a good Marantz model. I see that what was great in the '70's can't accommodate today's equipment. 1970's Marantz REceivors don't know what CD players or surround sound is. And they certainly never heard of DVDs.

That's about it. I am focusing on upgrading the turntable/cartridge and installing a quality receiver that is made for today's surround sound systems. I appreciate any thoughts, recommendations and any comments as to what else I may need to purchase to round out a decent audiophile system built on a vinyl software platform.

I am good for speakers at this time, BTW. :laugh:

 

[László]

Turntables: In your price range, it may be possible to get a Rega or Thorens. They're very highly regarded.

Cartridge: Grado makes seriously good and reasonably priced cartridges.

Receivers: If you want high fidelity, go to separate components. Seriously. Receivers are a complete compromise.

Speakers: There are lots of current brands that are reasonably priced that will do a lot better for your hi fi sound than what you have in your pics. Speakers by Linn, Harbeth, Dynaudio, Epos, PSB and many others will give you substantially better fidelity and are far more modern designs that will work more efficiently with your amplification.

Note: I saw that you weren't interested in new speakers, but why waste your money on new electronics, and ignore the most important link in the chain, i.e., your speakers?

 

[John Scrip]

I'd recommend visiting AudioAdvisor.com --

 

[bluefade]

My experience with hi-fidelity audiophile stereo equipment ended in the '70's, just as I got married. Believe it or not, I still have most of the same equipment I had when I got married in November of '79. At that point, my search for new stuff basically ended. My wife is more tolerant of my equipment these days (I have become much better at concealing it :laugh.

About a year ago, I bought some equipment on eBay, but I am currently unhappy with everything except my speakers.

So...secure in the knowledge that I now have enough speakers to power several audio systems, please provide your thoughts and recommendations for the following:

1) Turntables...my knowledge basically ended with the Garrard zero-100 and the Dual 1220 series. I'd like to buy a decent turntable (under $600 please) that would complement my extensive vinyl collection.

2) Cartridges...again, my knowledge ended with the Shure M-95 ED, along with the Pickering and the Stanton hi-end cartridges

3) Receivers...most important, since the Denon I got last year was a disappointment. Want to be able to run the TV, DVD, CD, turntable through it, with great fidelity. My knowledge of decent receivers went out the window in the '70's but I always lusted after a good Marantz model. I see that what was great in the '70's can't accommodate today's equipment. 1970's Marantz REceivors don't know what CD players or surround sound is. And they certainly never heard of DVDs.

That's about it. I am focusing on upgrading the turntable/cartridge and installing a quality receiver that is made for today's surround sound systems. I appreciate any thoughts, recommendations and any comments as to what else I may need to purchase to round out a decent audiophile system built on a vinyl software platform.

I am good for speakers at this time, BTW. :laugh:

I just bought one of these. Pioneer SC65. It can be set up to do anything you'll ever want to do! Great sound!! The last pioneer receiver i had lasted 23 years! Go to pioneer receivers.com for a complete listing of all their products. Good luck & happy new year!

 

[tabl10s]

What do you have for a system? I'll bet the cables are killing your sound. Bose, Cerwin Vega are garbage. To learn about High-End audio, please go to Audio Asylum and Audiogon. Here's my system assembled from used equipment.


http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1307641620