[R1CKSO]

Hello to everyone,
My name is Ricardo, I'm 21, and always loved music, but hearing it "nice" is what I enjoy the most, I'm not an audiophile of course, just like to hear the music in a really nice way.
I currently use this kind of "equipment" I don't really know much about the pieces I have, they are just things that are in my house which I rescued from being thrown away to the garbage, and I regularly like to play music for me and my frinds on this things.

Well I added some pictures so you guys can judge better:
First of them, what I considered a "lost treasure" that I found all covered in dust and collecting webs in my house, don't really know the model or anything, it seems german, it is labeled "blaupunkt"and from what I can see it has around 6 or 7 tubes, I decided to try it, and as a guitar player, I always knew that tube amps are better than solid states, so when I saw it, I connected it and played some CD's in it, it sounds pretty good I think  (or I don't know if it is me saying to my selfconscious, its a tube amp is better than SS LOL) sounds really mellow and rich, compared to the other guy the Marantz down here which is also very nice:





Marantz SS:


I run these speakers, they are Technics, but I don't think they are any good, they seem mass production:



And I prefer CD's over my iPod, so I use this Samsung CD player:


So guys, my question is, what could I do and what are my options in order to make my system much better sounding, something that I could say "wow this sounds very bvery good almost like an angel", I don't really think it is possible without spending big money, but I think there's something to improve and to do. I like to listen to Bob Marley and Jazz music so please give any advice to me!

THANK YOU!

[lonewolfny42]

Welcome Ricardo....

Yes...that is some very vintage equipment.

[charmerci]

Wow. I owned that very model Sony cassette deck in the late 70's!!!

[vortrex]

Spend $100 on these speakers.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=113182.msg1220516#new

[JLM]

Welcome aboard.  Your equipment and story reminds me of humble beginnings 40+ years ago.   

I'm a "speaker guy" so agree that speakers make the biggest difference, but better speakers can also reveal the "warts" in the rest of the system. 

On the other hand, many say GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) so they start with a good source.  If you can, I'd rip your CD's to the computer using FLAC or ALAC (Apple Lossless) via iTunes and connect to your system via headphone to RCA adapter cable.  If remote from the computer use Apple AirPort Express ($100 USD) and control with a smart phone with iTunes remote application.  See the Apple/Discless circles below for more information.

Staying with tubes tends to get more expensive (initial cost and replacement tubes) and can make speaker selection a bit more complicated (tubes tend to produce "flabby" bass).  In modern times good solid state and tubes tend to sound more alike than different.

Depending on your wants, audio doesn't have to be expensive, check out the "Cheap and Cheerful" circle below.  I'm researching for replacement of my 2nd system (used for casual listening in a large family space) and am seriously considering powered speakers ($200 USD/pair Audioengine A2 or $300 USD/pair NuForce S3-BT) using Apple AirPort Express or an old DVD player as the source.  Add a BIC F12 subwoofer ($200 USD) for tons of bass (especially for the A2's - if your room is larger and your neighbors approve).  The S3-BT (see the NuForce circle above) allows for quality sourcing (your collection and internet streaming) from a smartphone (no other source required).

Before serious shopping it's good to educate yourself in music and audio.  Find out what you like in "nice sound," musical genres, etc.  There's much to learn in terms of how to listen/audition.  Boomy bass, zingy highs, huge sound, and colorations (other exaggerations) impress initially, but soon fatigue (get old).  Hang out at audio sites like this, try to visit audiofests, check out equipment review sites, and look for local audio groups who meet regularly.  Others can give advice, but audio is an individual endeavor so no one can tell you what pleases you.

Again, welcome aboard and have fun.

[jarcher]

Some good advice in the previous post.  The Cheap & Cheerful Circle even has a "sticky" post for sub $1K systems that may be a source of inspiration for components to consider:  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=111225.0

On the one hand I'm tempted to say that if you're happy enough with the sound you've got, spend the $ on music or a music subscription service.  This "hobby" can get pricey real quick, and generate unnecessary discontent along the road. 

On the other hand, I don't think anyone could deny that putting a bit of money into components can be worth it.  I guess the good / bad news, depending on how you want to see it, is that you don't seem to have anything I would put into the "definitely keeper" category, so you, unlike many of us, don't have that crutch of trying to find components that mate well with pre-existing gear : gear that often we have either too much of a financial or emotional attachment to part with and move on.

These days it seems that the most cost-effective way to get into "hi-fi" sound is computer & headphone based.  I'm not so much a fan of headphones myself, but can't ignore that comparing price-wise a headphone vs speaker of similar cost, the headphone is probably going to blow away the speaker.  And often people have constraints of space or living with other's who won't tolerate loud music, headphones again offer an advantage.  And lastly, often headphones are economical enough that you can own several pairs to suit different listening needs - or at the least small enough that selling them on is easy enough.

So a computer as media server followed by a headphone amp / DAC combo + a good pair of headphones is probably the safest / most cost effective way to start, particularly as a way to get an idea of what kind of sound you like before investing a lot of money into a speaker-based system. 

[R1CKSO]

Welcome Ricardo....

Yes...that is some very vintage equipment.

THANK YOU! I guessed that too, I just rescued it from being thrown away LOL

[R1CKSO]

Wow. I owned that very model Sony cassette deck in the late 70's!!!

It doesn't work anymore, but cassettes are just a dinosaur with no hope as far as I know, vynils are the true treasure  no?

[R1CKSO]

Spend $100 on these speakers.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=113182.msg1220516#new

thanks for the tip! I'll be looking forward to try them!

[R1CKSO]

Welcome aboard.  Your equipment and story reminds me of humble beginnings 40+ years ago.   

I'm a "speaker guy" so agree that speakers make the biggest difference, but better speakers can also reveal the "warts" in the rest of the system. 

On the other hand, many say GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) so they start with a good source.  If you can, I'd rip your CD's to the computer using FLAC or ALAC (Apple Lossless) via iTunes and connect to your system via headphone to RCA adapter cable.  If remote from the computer use Apple AirPort Express ($100 USD) and control with a smart phone with iTunes remote application.  See the Apple/Discless circles below for more information.

Staying with tubes tends to get more expensive (initial cost and replacement tubes) and can make speaker selection a bit more complicated (tubes tend to produce "flabby" bass).  In modern times good solid state and tubes tend to sound more alike than different.

Depending on your wants, audio doesn't have to be expensive, check out the "Cheap and Cheerful" circle below.  I'm researching for replacement of my 2nd system (used for casual listening in a large family space) and am seriously considering powered speakers ($200 USD/pair Audioengine A2 or $300 USD/pair NuForce S3-BT) using Apple AirPort Express or an old DVD player as the source.  Add a BIC F12 subwoofer ($200 USD) for tons of bass (especially for the A2's - if your room is larger and your neighbors approve).  The S3-BT (see the NuForce circle above) allows for quality sourcing (your collection and internet streaming) from a smartphone (no other source required).

Before serious shopping it's good to educate yourself in music and audio.  Find out what you like in "nice sound," musical genres, etc.  There's much to learn in terms of how to listen/audition.  Boomy bass, zingy highs, huge sound, and colorations (other exaggerations) impress initially, but soon fatigue (get old).  Hang out at audio sites like this, try to visit audiofests, check out equipment review sites, and look for local audio groups who meet regularly.  Others can give advice, but audio is an individual endeavor so no one can tell you what pleases you.

Again, welcome aboard and have fun.

Thank you very much for the reply, all seriously consider all the advice provided, and the products reccomended as well! and oh yes! you better bet, that I'll be lurking and doing my homework in here!

[R1CKSO]

Some good advice in the previous post.  The Cheap & Cheerful Circle even has a "sticky" post for sub $1K systems that may be a source of inspiration for components to consider:  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=111225.0

On the one hand I'm tempted to say that if you're happy enough with the sound you've got, spend the $ on music or a music subscription service.  This "hobby" can get pricey real quick, and generate unnecessary discontent along the road. 

On the other hand, I don't think anyone could deny that putting a bit of money into components can be worth it.  I guess the good / bad news, depending on how you want to see it, is that you don't seem to have anything I would put into the "definitely keeper" category, so you, unlike many of us, don't have that crutch of trying to find components that mate well with pre-existing gear : gear that often we have either too much of a financial or emotional attachment to part with and move on.

These days it seems that the most cost-effective way to get into "hi-fi" sound is computer & headphone based.  I'm not so much a fan of headphones myself, but can't ignore that comparing price-wise a headphone vs speaker of similar cost, the headphone is probably going to blow away the speaker.  And often people have constraints of space or living with other's who won't tolerate loud music, headphones again offer an advantage.  And lastly, often headphones are economical enough that you can own several pairs to suit different listening needs - or at the least small enough that selling them on is easy enough.

So a computer as media server followed by a headphone amp / DAC combo + a good pair of headphones is probably the safest / most cost effective way to start, particularly as a way to get an idea of what kind of sound you like before investing a lot of money into a speaker-based system.

Sounds nice! but what about let's say, upgrading my cabinets with better speakers and crossovers? is it worth it?

THANKS!

[JLM]

Those Pioneer speakers are so cheap/good that it's hard to compete, even doing it yourself (unless you enjoy getting your hands dirty or have a specific design in mind).  And please don't even think about guessing about which drivers to slap into a given cabinet.  Too many good DIY plans, panelized kits, pre-built/finished cabinets for specific drivers available to waste time/money/effort floundering around.  Lots of good/cheap speaker options out there, if you know what you want.

Old drivers can suffer rot, may have been abused, who knows?  New drivers may be more cheaply built, but are based on modern (hopefully improved) materials and tastes (bass tighter/less flabby, improved resolution throughout, more attention to providing rigid cabinet design).

I had a nice/expensive cassette deck in the 70's.  The problem with cassette technology was that each machine had its own bias (tapes only sounded good on the machine it was recorded on due to all the tweaking needed to try to make those slow/tiny tapes sound good).  And most machines didn't use Dolby properly to start with.

[jarcher]

Sounds nice! but what about let's say, upgrading my cabinets with better speakers and crossovers? is it worth it?

THANKS!

More trouble / expense than its worth unfortunately. I think the $100 or so pioneer speakers mentioned or maybe some $300 or so used Magnepan MMG speakers makes more sense on the speaker side.

[R1CKSO]

Great then I'll give them a go, since everyone is reccomending and saying they are very nice even for the price. Thanks again, I was really thinking about upgrading the driver, but it seems easier and better jus tto buy the pioneers!

[R1CKSO]

I saw the speakers you guys suggested are bookshelfs, I would prefer floor standers as my "gear" is in a large living room, are these the same or similiar? Pioneer Sp-fs52-lr

[jarcher]

I saw the speakers you guys suggested are bookshelfs, I would prefer floor standers as my "gear" is in a large living room, are these the same or similiar? Pioneer Sp-fs52-lr

Not totally similar : 5.25 dual midrange / woofer vs 4 inch single on the bookshelf.  And twice the price : a shocking $255 for the pair delivered from Parts Express ! 

Seems like it might be a better choice than the bookshelf + matching pioneer subwoofer if you need / want that extra 10HZ or so lower bass.

If you do go for it, would be interested to hear your impressions.

[Detuned]

You never mentioned budget ( or perhaps I overlooked)

The simplest and virtually free upgrade is cleaning and deox'ing all those connections! (cables, sockets etc)