Brunt Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Okay guys, finally got my theater room close to done and would like to turn my attention to a nice 2 channel setup in my living room. I would like to keep it budget minded and I have no problem with old, used vintage gear. I would also like to keep it smallish dimension wise per the wife. Here is what I'd like to do: Listen to CD's and have an Ipod/iphone connection for the wife. Also have remote control of volume. Here is what I currently own: 1 pair of polk Monitor 30 Speakers. 1 pair of Klipsch HD300 satelites, 1 8 inch low profile sub of the no name variety, 3 Audiosource 100 amps which can output 50wx2 channels or 160w bridged. Here's what I'm wondering (thinking of buying): using Emotiva products as a frame of reference, would something like the XDA-1 be all I need in addition to a good DVD player for CD's? The reason behind the DVD player (like a cheaper Denon for example) is I have read that they have good enough converters for CD listening for most listeners. My logic is I would connect whatever I use for CD's and my ipod cable to the XDA-1 and then connect each output to an Audiosource amp and bridge each one to each of my Monitor 30's. Or, would a stereo preamp, like the USP-1 be better for it's ability to incorporate a subwoofer? I don't need all of the extra inputs of the USP so i feel like the extra money is going for the ability to use a sub. What do you guys think? Where should i be looking and with what I already have what should I be looking to purchase? I know my speakers are weak, so what are some good options there? I'm not able to go floorstander probably because of wife. My livingroom has cathedral ceilings and opens into dinig area and kitchen...so pretty spacious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Brunt, Budget minded means what to you? How much can you spend for preamp, amp, CD player? I picked up one of these B&K preamp/tuners about a month ago. Very musical with a subwoofer preout. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1317739043&/B-K-PT-3-mk-II-B-K-Preamp-Tune A good choice for a budget CD player. Not a budget player but a budget price. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1318560226&/Denon-DVD-3300-five-channel-DV Budget amp. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1318458513&/NAD-2600A-power-amp Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brunt Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 Brunt, Budget minded means what to you? How much can you spend for preamp, amp, CD player? I picked up one of these B&K preamp/tuners about a month ago. Very musical with a subwoofer preout. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1317739043&/B-K-PT-3-mk-II-B-K-Preamp-Tune A good choice for a budget CD player. Not a budget player but a budget price. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1318560226&/Denon-DVD-3300-five-channel-DV Budget amp. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1318458513&/NAD-2600A-power-amp Bill Well, those are good looking deals. The DVD player is in my range and the preamp is at the outer limits of it. In fact, the guy who sold the Denon has a Rotel RC-960BX for sale for what looks like a good price. Unfortunately no remote option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJCarney Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 What about the monitor 40's? We could swap out 30's for the 40's. They would give u a fuller sound and maybe make up some for no subwoofer. Or what about your 62ii's up there and 82's in the HT? I also found an old kenwood amp for $300'ish... 4x110 or 2x220 watts. It's for sale on this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenM Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 The XDA-1 and a player would do the trick since it is a D/A converter + preamp, and you've got speakers and a power amp or three. The reason behind the DVD player (like a cheaper Denon for example) is I have read that they have good enough converters for CD listening for most listeners. FYI, since the DVD player would just be a transport at that point, the quality of its D/A converter is irrelevant. Or, would a stereo preamp, like the USP-1 be better for it's ability to incorporate a subwoofer? Conversely, you could obtain a subwoofer with speaker level inputs and outputs, ala a Hsu STF-1 or 2 to fill in the bottom end a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.