kurtster wrote:
 

I can't believe they're still {getting away with} presenting it that way. Isn't it, like, if you have 4 ohm speakers (which nobody sells) it's 220 watts? Or if you plug 2 speakers into one jack, etc. I think there used to be a way for them to justify *saying* the amp put out double the watts that most people would actually get. So they'd buy hi-wattage speakers and clip the tweeters with an underpowered amp. NOT THAT THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME but let it be known that if your crappy amp keeps blowing fuses, it's not a good idea to use one of your sister's bobby pins instead of a fuse.

Here is a good choice for a receiver for the money.

Onkyo TX-NR777 THX-Certified 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver

It's 110 watts per channel, not the stated 220 wpc.

this is the model I have.

Onkyo TX-RZ820 THX-Certified 7.2-Channel 4K Network A/V Receiver

It is my second Onkyo.  I got it a year or two ago on sale for a price similar to the TX NR777 after much searching and fussing.  What I liked about the Onkyo was all the inputs and not having all the proprietary dependent hardware that so many other receivers have such as Denon and Marantz.  It is overkill since I only run it in stereo, but I can plug anything I have into it, except a turntable.  That requires a separate pre amp which you should have anyway.  But it will be forward compatible for many years to come.

If I had to buy a brand new turntable this would be it.  The first one would be the least I would settle for.  The second would be my first choice.  Based on their history, they will last longer than you will.  I am a direct drive guy.  Belts are a pain in the ass.  That and these turntables have all the adjustments you need to get the most out of your cart and vinyl.  Or look for a used SL-1200 in good shape.  Couldn't find any Canadian sellers for these at this time.  I'm sure that they are out there.

Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct Drive Turntable System
Technics SL-1210GR Direct Drive Turntable System

The are many turntables out there for much less but they lack either the quality or the adjustments that the Technics have.

A pre amp for the turntable should be matched to the cartridge you select.  I would get either an Audio Technica or an Ortofon.  Me, I'm an AT person.
Speakers ?  That is the hardest one to sort out.  So many choices.  Then you need a sub woofer unless you get a 3-way speaker with the tweeter-midrange-woofer configuration.  At the very least the speakers you already have will still work.  You may like them even more with the new equipment powering them.

regardless of any of this, I'll always refer anyone to go to Crutchfield.com where you can find out what is what regarding many of the various choices out there with great explanations of various features with the ability to compare and in most cases view the owners manuals for all the equipment being offered.  I do not believe that they do business in Canada, but again the information available makes it worth the look.

Reverb.com is a great place to look for turntables and other used audio gear.  It is where I got mine.

Cheers !

 SeriousLee wrote:
 

The Marantz receivers on accessories are a good buy.  But not sure if you want Audio and Video, or just 2 channel audio.  Also Wharfedale Diamond series speakers are a very good deal, but dont believe they are on accessories.  Go down to a local shop and listen to see what you like first.  

 black321 wrote:
 
Wow. Looking at some of those prices ($25,000 speakers!?!) makes me think that even mid-range would be out of reach budget-wise. :-)

I guess it's been a long while since I shopped for a home audio system. Ideally I want a package rather than piecing it, but either way is fine. And I can handle 2 grand, or thereabouts. The accessories4less site is interesting, thanks!

 SeriousLee wrote:
 

www.accessories4less.com has some good deals...a lot of the pieces are refurbished, but scrubbed by the manufacturer to ensure in A shape, with full warranty.         Not sure of the budget, but I like going the used route.  You can try www.audiogon.com   A lot of ridiculously priced stuff on audiogon, but if you know what to look for can get some good deals.  

I've got a really nice set of JBLs, paired with a B&K pre and amp for a very reasonable price if you're in the NY area, ha.   

Looking to replace my old-no-longer-used stereo system this summer.

Turntable, receiver, CD player and speakers. All wired. Got enough wifi/Bluetooth going on as is.

Don't need high-end, but ideally better than mid-range.

Any input would be much appreciated. 

 pigtail wrote:
 
Palm Springs Modern.
It's everywhere around here.

 miamizsun wrote:
 

yeah that's pretty ugly and I don't think I would want it as part of my decor.

 Proclivities wrote: 
it could also function as an ashtray, coaster or the somewhat rare ethiopian lip plate

 miamizsun wrote:
 
It also functions as a lamp as far as I've heard.  The "dessert plate" as a base is kind of mis-matched.

it's probably just me and a few others

but the new ikea/sonos speaker looks like an apple home pod crossed with a lamp

 miamizsun wrote: 
Ha! Yes indeed. We're on RP, where everyone is strange but not a stranger...

Yes, we moved to a much larger house, it even has a dedicated audio closet. I bought a used server rack and some shelves, so I can turn the whole thing around, wire it, and rotate it back. Haven't pulled the trigger on any modern gear yet though, S-Video is the most sophisticated input on my old Yamaha. Our audio friend recommends a Denon receiver, but I haven't checked the specs. Seems like audio quality is a moving target anymore, more so than in the past.

The attic is spray-foamed on the roof side, and the A/C-furnace partially conditions it, so the attic is pleasant even on a 100-degree day. And not cramped at all: the house looks two-story but it's actually just attic. Running wires will be a snap.

Previous owner put Polk speakers in the walls and ceiling, but only in the main room. Good but not fantastic. I'm looking into adding boxes over the ceiling speakers to improve the bass. Some say it helps, others say it depends on the speaker design. Easy to try though, I might just drop a home depot bucket over one and see how it sounds. Others have made MDF boxes and sealed them tight to the drywall, so I may try that whenever I get the table saw set up again.

But yeah, if we were still in the old house I'd be looking at wireless. The new digs are great. We miss the old house but it was time to move on.
c.

 black321 wrote: 
yes i do

they're wired to home pc rig in my spare bedroom/office/man space

powered A5s and they do rock

and i'm aware of their wireless (it got great reviews)

i'd like to think i'm looking from a convenience, cost and convergence standpoint

the quality and portability are nice too

i do remember reading one thing about the google casting tech - it's a fully formed giant killer

google's speakers, not so much

sonos has made the decision to partner not compete with amazon, google, etc. on this particular tech

i think others will follow (if they haven't already)

 miamizsun wrote: 
if i recall you have audioengine speakers, right?  they have a very good, "cd quality" wireless setup.  I currently use that setup for my backyard...works nice although there is the occasional drop out.  I think its about 150 for one sender and receiver, and then maybe 80 more for each other receiver...of course they also have wireless speakers. 

 cc_rider wrote: 
so you're hard wired to be hard headed and hard headed about being hard wired?

ok, sounds like we've got a lot in common...

i just don't have any place to hide wires

if possible i'd like decent sounding gear that's smart and wireless

supposedly sonos is coming out with google assistant built in very soon (they currently have alexa)

i think the cost is like $35-40 more per speaker, similar to what i'd pay for googlecast (an external eyesore)

if i ever build again, i'm going to wire the hell out of mi casa

Maybe I'm just too old-school, but I want my audio hard-wired. Mostly because I cannot STAND dropouts while I'm listening. I'll sacrifice some audio quality if necessary, but random dropouts drive me nuts. I know Bill works hard to keep RP rock solid, I appreciate it.

Fortunately, at a recent house-cleaning sale, I scored a Niles whole-house distribution amp. And our attic is not only easily accessible, but partially conditioned as well. I'm going to gradually add speakers everywhere. Parts Express carries Dayton, they are a good value for places like patios, workshops, etc. where audio quality will never be that great no matter how much you spend.

I finally hooked up the B&O mini-towers my folks left when they downsized, I'm running them in my office off the computer. They are self-powered and cool-looking, good audio. I'm trying to figure out if I can use the proprietary B&O cabling to daisy-chain the B&O subwoofer into them. B&O is a bit too proud of their stuff, but I got it for nothing so I can't complain. But sometimes I still do.
c.

 Lazy8 wrote: 
i'm forbidden to enter certain areas at work, like the research vault

but i cracked the door and fired a flare to get their attention

i'll let you know what they come back with...

edit: 

looks like this

Create commands to control online services & devices

Would love to have a Raspberry Pi set up as a media server, mostly to spool tunes off the NAS and RP and Chromecast video (mostly from Kodi) to the idiot box, but also to log a weather station and do nightly backups.

I'd also love to have a household AI—like an Amazon Echo but one that works for me, not Jeff Bezos. If it ran the lights I'd name it Aziz.

Somebody get on this! I need to get to the future.

 kurtster wrote: 
Thanks. From the blurb on that page. So it's not a computer...and I am not a rapper

Using industry-leading 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 multicore processors, Vault 2 boasts 32-bit architecture combined with 8x oversampling DAC platforms to ensure lossless high-res music playback is flawless, with precision and clarity at any volume.

Built-In Internet Radio, aptX Bluetooth, and Instant Access to High-Res Music Services 
Instantly access millions of songs. Premium high-res music services like TIDAL, Spotify, Rdio and Qobuz, as well as virtually all other popular music services and Internet radio stations, are already built-in to the aptX Bluetooth-equipped Vault 2. Access your downloads and your entire iTunes library (or any other USB NAS drive connected) all without ever turning on a computer.

 haresfur wrote: 
Yep. I'm using one of my three legacy macs as the iTunes player (and can operate it remotely with the Remote app on my iPhone) and then I have it connected to a big outboard hard drive. (Two, since one's a backup). That connects with AirPlay nicely to a handful of small speakers through the house. <- They're dying, which is why I'm wondering about using my existing Ethernet outlets to plug in speakers somehow instead of doing it wirelessly.

Then I use RogueAmoeba's Nicecast and No-IP to send the output over the internet tubes.