Newbie here with audio problems

whitespike · « **on:** 15 Sep 2004, 03:17 am »

Hey everybody,

I'm the newbie, so let me intro myself. I am jakob from Jackson, Mississippi. I am a musician/graphic designer/modernist/furniture collector/music lover/husband. That about sums it up.

Leet me start off by saying that I know very little about stereos...I know a heck of a lot more about guitar gear etc. For the last year or so I have been using early 70s Advents (large) and a Harman Kardon A300 integrated tube amp. Sounded good to me, but I am no professional.

Anyway, the amp's transformer died and I couldn't find a part so I sold it for parts. I am left with my cool speakers. Part of me wants to rid of them bc they are so big and I live in small quarters. Here are my options I am thinking of:

1. Keeping the speakers, and when I can afford it get a new integrated tube amp. What tube amps are a) decently priced b) sound great c) have parts still available/easy to fix.

2. I am considering getting two bookshelf speakers and a new reciever of new technology. Are there bookshelves that will give a big sound on their own ( I have little space )? What recievers are good in the budget range?

Ok. So there it is. I don't know much about audio technology but I am an avid music lover and I need something that works.

Please let me know if I am a complete poop-head for considering getting rid of my advents.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Sep 2004, 03:21 am »

How are your Advents holding up? Most of them I see from that time have rotted out foam surrounds. I really loved those Advents back in the day- they were tough to beat for the dollar. However, the best new speakers of a comparable price/size range are even better.

How much are you looking to spend?

whitespike · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Sep 2004, 12:42 pm »

I bought them from www.oldhifi.com . If you check out the site you will see that everything they sell is refurbished. They sound absolutely awesome!

It'll be a little while before I can buy a new amp. I just bought a house and I have a few projects ahead of me; and I just started being self employed.

If I buy new speakers, I hope to sell the Advents and just spend what I get out of them.

MaxCast · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Sep 2004, 12:55 pm »

Like Rob said we need a price range to offer suggestions. Would also need to know how much power you need (efficiency of your speakers) and how loud you listen to music. If you like your Advents...don't sell them. Get an amp so you can listen to them again.

There are a lot of tube amps in these Circles. Scroll through the manufacturers list and check out the ones that offer tube stuff....hell, I'll make it easy

http://www.avahifi.com/
http://www.av123.com/
http://www.boldercables.com/
http://www.boldercables.com/
http://www.mapletreeaudio.com/
http://www.responseaudio.com/

If you can DIY, you can really maximize your $$$'s.

whitespike · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Sep 2004, 02:16 pm »

I know it isn't alot but I would like to spend around 300 bucks. I have seen the Harman Kardon A300 fo for that on ebay, but that is the amp that died on me which an output transformer that couldn't be replaced.

Are the Harman Kardon A300s even considered to be good? I liked it pretty well. The only thing is I think it is around 15 watts per channel. I wonder if I need more power to push the large Advents properly. If not, then fine, I like modest volume and good sound.

Thank for the links.

MaxCast · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Sep 2004, 03:27 pm »

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1099519168

Response audio handles them new.

DeadFish · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Sep 2004, 04:14 pm »

Hey Jakob!
Welcome aboard!

If those Advents are sounding good, you are half-way there!
I don't know if would want to trade them in for something newer, at your price point. (then again, I don't know that market.) They were and are nice speakers still

There are a lot of fine used equiptments out there for your money you want to spend. Lots of new or near-new like the Jolida cited, or you can continue in a vintage vein.
I've recently added a Dynaco SCA35 to my mix to get my vintage speakers singing true. It was clean and functional, $200, and a delight to the ears. For my part, if I ever learn enough to get my fingers dirty, it will be a great platform of parts to upgrade. Similarly, if I ever want to get rid of it (even broken), there will be an audience ready to buy it again out there. Then, if something else breaks your stride (like seeing something ELSE affordable on Agon), Google that too. You might find a real jewel!

When I was looking for something 'tubey' for my horns, friends suggested old Scott, Eico and others to buy used, and there are plenty at your price point on Ebay or Audiogon.

Oh, this Dynaco ain't the 'end-all' of amps to be sure, but for the money?!
I'm real happy with the way it sings, and it might grow up to be an st35 clone.
My advice, get a few suggestions around here, then go Googling them to learn what they are and go perusing Ebay and A-gon for what they are actually going for.

It's time to put those old 'hunter' genes that kept your forefathers alive to work.
I'm sure you could be real happy with what your money can spend.

BTW, good luck on the house! And of course, good luck on the search!

Regards,
DeadFish

WEEZ · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Sep 2004, 12:07 am »

Welcome, whitespike!

The original Advents were and are great speakers. I've owned them in the past and to find anything comparible today- you need to spend at least $2k. They were said to play with 15wpc min.- but that would not be enough IMO. The Advents were relatively low in efficiency due to being an acoustic suspension design. I ran mine with 200wpc and they sang beautifully.

Maxcast suggested the Jolida 301- and I agree. For the price- you probably won't do much better. Stretch your budget another $50 or so and consider the NAD 320BEE.

I wouldn't sell the Advents if I were you- wish I had never sold mine.

Keep us posted....

WEEZ

whitespike · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Sep 2004, 04:23 am »

Thank you guys so much for all the info. You have been very helpful. I will look into those models you have mentioned.

Is the second one you just mentioned a hybrid?

My bass amp (for my bass guitar) is a hybrid and i love it. I can imagine it would be good for audio.

So is solid state considered not as good? I notice vintage solid state goes for less.

whitespike · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Sep 2004, 04:24 am »

I sthe Jolida that was mentioned an integrated amp? I noticed it didn't have EQ.

I would like to get an integrated amp. I don't have preamps etc...

Karnaaj · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Sep 2004, 10:27 pm »

Yes, the jolida is an integrated amp. It seems that most modern equip. does not come with any kind of EQ capabilities. You can purchase them separately however if you feel the need.

whitespike · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Sep 2004, 05:04 am »

What do you guys think of NAD equipment...specifically the C320BEE?

MaxCast · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Sep 2004, 12:02 pm »

NAD is not tubed. If you are considering solid state then you will have more choices to pick from.

An integrated amp is a preamp (volume, source, etc controls) and an amplifier (amp) combined in one case.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Sep 2004, 12:20 pm »

What about the Sugden that's in Trading Post???
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13051

A liitle more $$ than suggested and it's solid state rather than tube.
Sugden isn't a household audio name like Harmon or NAD, but they seem to be held in high regard. I think you could buy from an AC member with more confidence than from some stranger on eBay.

Nevermind--looks like it sold on Audiogon.

whitespike · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Sep 2004, 04:03 pm »

Well, I don't really know the pros/cons in having tube/solid state. I know in guitar amps I hate solid state. In bass amps solid state is ok with some companies, ut I prefer to have hybrid.

The Jolida seems apealing bc it is hybrid. The best reason I can give that I like my hybrid bass amp is that I gives some of that tube warmness but has the solid state snappiness too, if that makes sense,

lcrim · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Sep 2004, 04:07 pm »

Welcome.
The Advents would probably be happier with more power. Tube integrateds in the $300 range are rare, even used. Digital amps which are felt by many here to provide much of the tube character are available at this price point. This piece is a Teac 3 channel digital power amp at 30 watts each http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=3668124&JRSource=stockalert.TEA+AL700PYou would only use two channels. $99.88 plus shipping.
Next you would have to have something to plug your source into that has a volume (loudness) control. The Luminous Audio AXIOM which you can check out @ http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1097938859 is minimalist but very good for the price. $125 plus shipping.
Finally, you would need a set of interconnects to get the signal to the amp. At the price point, I like http://www.heartlandcables.com/ , Dan Kaps can make you a pair w eichman bullet plug RCA connectos and Belden 89259 coax for ~ $50 plus shipping.
Thats what I would try. Good luck.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Sep 2004, 05:58 pm »

I use this Teac myself, with Heartland cables, and am very happy. I have used a passive pre with the Teac also, and have no problems with that.

There are several threads about this Teac amp, on this board, in the Multichannel portion.

Have an eye, it is a good value, and if 30wpc will do it, get on board!

Mark

Passive Chappy · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Sep 2004, 05:49 am »

$300 can be a lot of money to a lot of people. If you want to be cost effective and still get great sound digital is the place to go. The Panasonic receivers have been getting a lot of good press. The XR50 might be just what you need. Check that out. Of if you can get separates get a used Creek OBH 12 or new Creek OBH 22 passive preamp and a Griffin Technoligies Powerwave for around $100. The Sonic Impact amp has been generating a good buzz also, but the 15 watts may not be enough. But for $30 it's worth a try.

Good luck and keep us posted.

lcrim · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Sep 2004, 01:22 pm »

The Griffin PowerWave is also a nice piece which utilizes digital power but is only rated @ 15 watts per channel by its manufacturer. Granted it can be found for a few dollars less but I think the Advents would be far too much for it. I'm not sure that 30 watts is even enough.
The Creek preamps start @ $300 and are quite good but there goes the budget.

rosconey · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Sep 2004, 01:24 pm »

i have a nice harmon kardon pa2000 i can sell you for 100$-
45wpc x 4 or can be bridged 2x100wpc.very nice sounding unit. just add the pre mentioned above.
was going to use it in a second system but went 2ch for main room and now have a yamaha rxv1 for the second sytem.