crazytubepower Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Well, I have $1000 right now!!! Earn all by myself thank you very much. Anyway I am going to be buying an upgrade for the system. What will make the biggest impact in my system. Which is as follows, Speakers: Klipsch RF-3's CD Player: Total POS from 1994 Amp: Teac A-l700p (not bad), I am using the volume control on it Misc: Monster Power hts 3600 Now my question is which of these choices will make the biggest impact, A level one moded Jolida 100a or a Shanling Stp-80 Intergrated amp. Both are awesome pieces from what I hear, and I have heard the shanling and LOVE it and the looks are killer. However which is going to be best for the system? I am also open to other idea's for new gear that will help in my price range. Thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 IMO it's a tossup. Are you happy with the sound of your Teac? Is the CD player really crappy sounding? If you can live with the CD player for now, then I'd replace the Teac with the integrated Shanling, which I think would be the best decision soundwise. If you can live with the Teac's sonics, then junk the CD player and buy the JoLida JD100a. Flip a coin if you still can't decide... Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 To easy! You buy Mark's Merlin and run it with the Teac. Just do it. Yank the networks out of your RF-3's let me change the caps. I know you're young and have to make this money stretch. Just cover the parts and shipping I'll waive the labor. About $85 or so I think -- I'll have to check the schematic. Maybe someone here from the forum would be willing to pull the volume control board from the TEAC and do whatever has to be done so you don't have that card between the Merlin and the output section of the TEAC. Anyone? You replace the CD player with pretty much ANYTHING. Someone here should be able to give you some good recommendations for inexpensive players in the $200 or so range. You can attack three major weaknesses in your system at the same time with that money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Dean's got it figured out for you![] Go to AudioAdvisor.com and pick up a new Cambridge Audio azur 340C for $249 (or a demo for $212). It's the li'l brother to my 640C, with a Crystal 24/96 DAC, and it sounds awesome for the price! With a Merlin pre controlling your Teac, and with Dean's crossovers for your RF-3s, you'd still have money in the bank.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted October 1, 2005 Author Share Posted October 1, 2005 Well let me voice my concern. The rf-3's were bought to hold my system over intil I upgraded all of my components then I would sell those, and some money and buy a mint pair of cornwalls. So I am not sure if I should upgrade the x-overs, but dean gave me an atractive offer. As for the merlin, I do love it, but here is the thing, I play alot of sports and do physical things all of the time, and so I want to sit back and relax while listening to music. I have to change the volume alot because of parents walking into room or phone calls. So the remote for the shanling is very aluring. As for the cd player, mine I can live with, for now. I mean it would only be another few months intill I would have the money to buy it. I know I shouldnt be lazy, but that remote is very important, since a great deal of listening is when I am too tired to walk, let alone get up and keep changing the volume. I fell that is my determining factor. I know I should make my money go futher, but I am tired of settling for second best. I am not sure if you guys know the feeling, but for once I would like to get something that I want, not just something I have to get because of budget. Now with that being said, I have found a deal on a perfect jolida 100a, slightly moded, with new tubes, and extras to boot and sound damping material. And a deal on a shanling almost new shanling for $950 + shiping. Now lets forgo the question of different gear, and now I ask which of these too will make my system sound better? Oh and I made it seem like I didn't like the merlin, well I do, and I plan to buy one for the second system sometime in the future, but I need that remote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Cool. In that case, I revert back to my first response...if you can live with your Kenwood, then buy the Shanling. Pretty simple.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Get a used JD-100 for around $600 and a nice tube preamp for $400 and use it with your TEAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTA Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Why not just get the Cornwalls you want now, assuming that is the speaker you really want to end up with, and then build your system around what sounds best on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted October 1, 2005 Author Share Posted October 1, 2005 Well, I dont know if this is for better or worse, but I have desided apon the shanling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 You have chosen wisely.[<)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 I would get a Scott integrated and an MSB DAC used. Fully rebuilt Scott: $ 600 max MSB DAC: $ 250 AQ interconnects balance of funds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwinr Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Hey, Buddy. Sorry to be a wet blanket. I know the Shanling looks great. It retails here for around $3000. BUT... Don't buy on looks alone. Some reviewers give it a beat up. Others, not taken in by the looks, are more honest. Sound quality is only just average. Nothing special. You can do better for your money. Much better. Buy a Merlin. $599. It's a steal. Then you can upgrade with a suitable power amp. I'm not a fan of the Teac. But driven by a properly designed preamp, it'll preform much better than what you've got at the moment. Then look at upgrading your source. OR, you can buy a refurbished classic tube amp. Check out NOSValve's website. Give him a call before you buy anything... Please. Edwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Well let me voice my concern. The rf-3's were bought to hold my system over intil I upgraded all of my components then I would sell those, and some money and buy a mint pair of cornwalls. So I am not sure if I should upgrade the x-overs, but dean gave me an atractive offer. As for the merlin, I do love it, but here is the thing, I play alot of sports and do physical things all of the time, and so I want to sit back and relax while listening to music. I have to change the volume alot because of parents walking into room or phone calls. So the remote for the shanling is very aluring. As for the cd player, mine I can live with, for now. I mean it would only be another few months intill I would have the money to buy it. I know I shouldnt be lazy, but that remote is very important, since a great deal of listening is when I am too tired to walk, let alone get up and keep changing the volume. I fell that is my determining factor. I know I should make my money go futher, but I am tired of settling for second best. I am not sure if you guys know the feeling, but for once I would like to get something that I want, not just something I have to get because of budget. Now with that being said, I have found a deal on a perfect jolida 100a, slightly moded, with new tubes, and extras to boot and sound damping material. And a deal on a shanling almost new shanling for $950 + shiping. Now lets forgo the question of different gear, and now I ask which of these too will make my system sound better? Oh and I made it seem like I didn't like the merlin, well I do, and I plan to buy one for the second system sometime in the future, but I need that remote. So don't be lazy and get the Merlin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwinr Posted October 1, 2005 Share Posted October 1, 2005 Good call, Kev. Also, I'm not sure that the Jolida is the way to go either. That's a lot of money tied up in a source that may not improve on the sound quality offered by cheaper options. Some of the better brands like Sony and Marantz offer some superb sounding products that also play SACD. Some CD players have a built in volume control. Buy one of those. Also I've had three Jolida tube products. Each have caused me endless reliability problems. Quality control isn't the best. They may have final assembly in the U.S., but they build their stuff in south East Asia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted October 2, 2005 Author Share Posted October 2, 2005 Well I have read all the reviews I could find, and all the reviewers said the same thing, killer value, killer midrange, rolled off high ( which I like to tame the horns) and slow but over all good lows. I just have to try it, and for the deal I am getting I can turn around and sell it for no loss, so I have nothing to loose but time. If I find I do not like it I will sell it and buy a merlin and get off my lazy butt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 The old advice is still true: The speakers will make the biggest difference. The CD player will make the least difference. The "misc" (speaker wire etc) will make no difference. The amp is tricky. If it is large enough (depends on whether the speakers are efficient and do not require much current - i.e., not low impedance) then most solid state amps will sound fine (if it adequately sized and it is quiet). Tube amps will have a different sound - some folks prefer that sound. For loud music in a large room, then choice of amp may be trickier to find one that is adequately powerful (unless the speakers are an easy load). Note, this not simply a matter of Watts - there are also issues of headroom and being able to provide adequate levels of current (again depending on choice of speaker, listening preferences and room size). Focus on the speakers! Then the effort should be spent on setup (this is not always expensive). They should positioned carefully (and this can take quite a bit of experiementation - but the effects are real). After this spend your energy on treating the room. Invest some time in learning about "room acoustics 101" and then tackle the listening room. Issues at mid and high frequencies are more easily taken care of (carpets, drapes, carpet padding, furniture set up etc). Issues at lower fequencies are more difficult and may cost a modest amount of money (but please educate yourself first). These are not "sexy" solutions, and others will disagree. However the effects are real. Small changes in speaker location and room set up will yield very noticeable changes in sound. The trick is determining whether the changes are for the better - it does take tweaking and experimentation, and most importantly, some time spent educating yourself about room acoustics. Good luck, -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delano Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Good Day, Well I am the proud owner of an stp-80 and I love it. ait has blown me away with it's very non-fatigueing warm sound. I am very surprised that you want this amp. A short time ago when I posted that I was having problems with mine you made it clear that "not to bash your choice, but Chinese amps will always break". Those ar your words. I am not trying to start an issue here but I was wondering what made you change your mind. I would reccomend the shanling without hesitation and I hope you do get it.Delano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codhead Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 BEIJING (AP) - Tens of thousands of Chinese marked the 56th anniversary of Communist rule in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Saturday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted October 2, 2005 Author Share Posted October 2, 2005 Well delano, I came to my senseses deciding I cannot judge something based on where it is from. It is in a way racist, and not far to the company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codhead Posted October 2, 2005 Share Posted October 2, 2005 Well delano, I came to my senseses deciding I cannot judge something based on where it is from. It is in a way racist, and not far to the company. LMAO!!! That's the funniest response I've seen in months! Never mind things like future parts availability, workmanship, material quality... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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