[Aman]

I have around 800USD to do what I want with my stereo system (and that's before I sell off the old gear, so it could be 100 bucks more than that!). I need to know what would make the most sense in terms of upgrading. I also have a 50 dollar gift card to Music Direct - so if anybody knows how to integrate that into this mess, that'd be excellent.

Right now, I wouldn't necessarily call my system "Hi-Fi". Instead, I think it's "Mid-Fi". It's decent -- I feel the mids are a little recessed, and the highs at times can be shrill or distorted. Sound stage is nice, but I'd like it wider and I'd love to have more accurate imaging.

My system is as follows:

Amplifier: Pioneer SX-450. 15 Watts. 8 Ohms.
Turntable: Goldring GR1
Cartridge: Grado Platinum
Tonearm: Rega RB250
Speakers: Ohm Model E (1977)
Phono Stage: Music Hall MMF Phono Pack
Record Cleaning Machine: Record Doctor III

Some slight limitations as far as upgrading goes. If possible, I'd like to avoid single-driver crossover-less speakers like the Omega and Cain & Cain Abby line. The reason for this is because I have heard them before, and while they are great for softer music, I feel that they wouldn't be able to handle the louder music that I listen to with as much ease. Sure, they're great for John Coltrane -- but I don't think they'd be up to Yes or Frank Zappa -- unless somebody can prove me wrong. Also, with speakers, if you guys say that my speakers are the number one thing to upgrade, I am going to not go with just restoring my old speakers. Their wooden exteriors are slightly damaged, so I would want to go the full mile and just get a new pair. Used is okay, but only if they are a 9/10 or higher.

Also, if I upgrade my amplifier, I think I may want to go with a much higher-powered unit, so that it allows for a better upgrade options when the time comes for my speakers to get replaced. This means that, for example, if a tube amp is recommended, that it should probably be over 35 watts.

If my phono stage is the culprit, I just need to know if my Grado cartridge will work with it. I used a very expensive Emmeline from Ray Samuels which had user-changeable DIP switches, which are acceptable too.

Thanks so much in advance. I know that I may be asking a lot, but I'd just like to make sure that I am truly getting what I need before I spend nearly a grand. I'm sure you guys understand Anyway, I appreciate any help and guidance.

Thanks again!
-Andrew

[John Casler]

Where do you live?

[Aman]

I live in New York City right now, but would like to buy online for a better value.

[ScottMayo]

I have around 800USD to do what I want with my stereo system (and that's before I sell off the old gear, so it could be 100 bucks more than that!).

Unless you've had the speakers rebuilt, they aren't in top shape at this point - and speaker tech has moved forward since the 70's. (I speak as someone who can't bear to part with my old late 70's Infinities - I use them as my surround channels now, and that's after I had the woofers rebuilt. But I can't deny they are tired at this point.)

$800 buys some decent used speakers these days. I could unashamedly recommend VMPS 626's, if you turn some up in that range. (Note I deal VMPS, but not used.)

You could make the same argument about the receiver - but in the day that receiver was considered good and it's still got a good reputation in vintage circles. You might want to hang onto it until it finally dies, then sell it to a vintage repairer down the road. But the newer stuff is definitely cleaner; you might want to look into a Rotel RX-1050. Decent reputation, usually available for under $800, and a MM phono input.

It's hard to recommend in this range without having your ears - everything in this price range introduces some color, and it depends on what kind of coloration you like in your music.

My preference is always to upgrade speakers first. But with older gear, you can often make progress with any change.

[Aman]

What do you guys think about the Triangle Zerius 202? I have found a place to get a well-conditioned used pair of these speakers for $600. I found out that Stereophile liked those speakers a lot (but you really can't trust them, right? ).

[Vinnie R.]

The reason for this is because I have heard them before, and while they are great for softer music, I feel that they wouldn't be able to handle the louder music that I listen to with as much ease. Sure, they're great for John Coltrane -- but I don't think they'd be up to Yes or Frank Zappa -- unless somebody can prove me wrong....

Hi Andrew,

I wish you could have heard the new Omega HempTone Speakers at RMAF.  Louis had Zappa playing at LOUD levels, not to mention Rage Against the Machine, NIN, and some other "louder music."  

The HempTones can seriously rock out.  Ever hear of Tone Tubby?  http://www.tonetubby.com/
These guys invented the HempTone technology for guitar amps.

I recommend you give Louis a call about his HempTones.  

Hope this helps,

[Scott F.]

I'm sure I'll get alot of push back on this recommendation but here goes...

Go up to eBay and pick yourself up a vintage HH Scott 299 (B,C or D version). It will run you about $250 for a clean one. Then, box and ship it up to Craig at NOSValves.com. Have him replace the caps, critical resistors and the bridge rectifier. That will eat up the rest of your $800.

Now, you will only have about 20-25 watts of power but you will absolutely fall in love with the sound. The HH Scott phono stage will blow away the MH by an extreme margin.

Sell your phono stage on aGon or eBay and put the proceeds in the bank and start saving for a pair of AudioNote AZ two speakers ($1k). Once you get them, upgrade the crossover caps and never look back.

I have 299 sitting on the shelf and I won't get rid of it for the world. Some people will say this system is colored. Personally, I'd rather listen to this system than 90% (maybe 95%) of the 'high end' gear out there.

If I had this to do all over again, that is exactly what I'd do.

[Aman]

Hi Andrew,

I wish you could have heard the new Omega HempTone Speakers at RMAF.  Louis had Zappa playing at LOUD levels, not to mention Rage Against the Machine, NIN, and some other "louder music."  

The HempTones can seriously rock out.  Ever hear of Tone Tubby?  http://www.tonetubby.com/
These guys invented the HempTone technology for guitar amps.

I recommend you give Louis a call about his HempTones.  

Hope this helps,

Hi Vinnie:

Thanks much for the recommendation! However, I think that the HempTone speakers are far out of my price range.

I'll see how things go.
-Andrew

[maxwalrath]

If you can get to Philly I can show you the super3's in a small room going plenty loud. The better my upstream components get the less I want a sub, and I worry about neighbors and still have some headroom with them.

[konut]

After searching old threads I found that you were about to get your Ohms redone by the manufacturer at a very reasonable price. Why have you chosen not to do that? It would seem to me that even if you chose not to keep them this refurbish/upgrade would make them more attractive to a prospective buyer and you'd have more money for upgading. i'd start there.

[ScottMayo]

After searching old threads I found that you were about to get your Ohms redone by the manufacturer at a very reasonable price. Why have you chosen not to do that? It would seem to me that even if you chose not to keep them this refurbish/upgrade would make them more attractive to a prospective buyer and you'd have more money for upgading. i'd start there.

A rebuild costs over $800, at least by the website. It might be worth it, but after 20+ years the surrounds are probably going, the crossover might want replacing, and the tweeter wants a look. It probably is worth scraping up the cash to have them fixed, but if the cash just isn't there, I'd sell them as-is and start over.

[konut]

Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:02 am  
   


I just talked to the guy at Ohm who has informed me that for 50 dollars plus the cost of parts, they will completely restore my speakers and even upgrade them by putting on another tweeter, which they say dramatically increases the soundstage.
 
 What do you guys think of that?
 
 Thanks guys!
 -Andrew

This is the post to which I was refering.

[Aman]

Hi guys:

Yes, the guys at Ohm were offering a restoration fee of $230 which includes both service and parts. This also gives me the upgrade to the E2 model which has a second tweeter.

Is it certain at all that any $800 used speaker today would be at the same level, or lower than, my Ohm Es restored?

I know that Ohm is a great company, and are very dedicated people. Should I just get the speakers restored and then think about getting a better amplifier? I'd love to go with some tubes right about now :p

If I like the sound of my speakers now, will getting them restored and also getting that little highs distortion problem fixed last me? Will it allow me to be satisfied with keeping these speakers?

I guess it is between restoring these Ohms or getting that used pair of Triangle Zeryius 202s.

[dave_c]

haven't heard the Zerius, but I liked the midrange on the Titus 202.  I think having 2 larger woofers on the Zerius would probably make these speakers that could rock along with plays at low levels.  the tweeter can be a little hot though.

[ScottMayo]

Hi guys:
Yes, the guys at Ohm were offering a restoration fee of $230 which includes both service and parts. This also gives me the upgrade to the E2 model which has a second tweeter.

Heck, that's pocket change for a speaker upgrade. If they are going to replace drivers and add a new one, take the deal - if you don't like what you get, you'll get a hunk of that money back when you sell them as fully upgraded, sooner or later.

I never heard Ohms and won't try to tell you what's better. New stuff tends to be different than 70's stuff, and I'd argue it's much better overall, with not too many exceptions, but this is an ear thing - you need to go listen.