sully
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 29
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Post by sully on May 2, 2019 14:36:11 GMT
G'day all.
I'm a bit of an imposter here - any ambitions I had to build a decent setup were knocked on the head back in the mid nineties, first by marriage/parenthood, then by digital technology. Back then I researched and assembled what I thought was a pretty respectable entry-level setup - Onkyo TX-SV52R (caught fire last year), Marantz CD-63SE, Pioneer CT-W803RS (both theoretically still working, probably need a drop of oil). Bose Acoustimass V (front) + Celestion Little 1's (rear).
Now I have a question regarding which components I can use with a digital pc amp (S.M.S.L. SA-36A Pro), but I'm guessing the introductions page isn't the place to ask.
Toodle pip and down with the nazis.
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Post by MartinT on May 2, 2019 14:51:29 GMT
Welcome to TAS, sully!
Let us have an idea of what you want to achieve and your approximate budget and I'm sure we can help.
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sully
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 29
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Post by sully on May 2, 2019 15:13:52 GMT
Cheers Martin. Well for now I just wonder which speakers to connect to the S.M.S.L. SA-36A Pro (ordered from Amazon Prime). I'm guessing the Celestion Little 1's, although I have another likely home for them. The Bose cube speakers would fit better and I could tuck the sub-woofer away, but they probably need more power, I imagine and at low volumes they might not gel. It's for a small (really small) "office space". I'm just a little unsure about the ohms. PS I'll only be listening to BBC6 Music think Gilles Peterson) and Radio 3 (Late Junction) most of the time via internet@320kbps and movies/tv shows through the PC for now. If I can salvage the CD and tape deck I'll need some way to increase my audio in choices, but for now its more about wattage/ohms . Thanks.
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Post by John on May 2, 2019 16:28:49 GMT
Welcome to TAS Sully
I think it you got a small office space, small bookshelves speaker is the best way forward. But I am so out of touch so not able to offer advice
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Post by MikeMusic on May 2, 2019 16:40:04 GMT
Welcome to TAS
I run an SMSL Q5 into TDL RTL2 floorstanders, (small footprint though) and separately Linn Saras
They do a fine job
Have you been over run with pro cyclists in the past few weeks ?
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Post by MartinT on May 2, 2019 16:47:20 GMT
I'd stick with the Celestions for near-field listening. The Bose satellites with a sub under the desk will sound disjointed and lack cohesion (and I'm being nice about Bose).
What's your source? PC? In which case you could play your media and CDs from it with the right software.
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Post by Slinger on May 2, 2019 17:03:42 GMT
I've got an SMSL SA-36A running a pair of KEF Q15s and I've also had a pair of Celestion DL4 S2s running from it. I use it for studio playback duties on one of my PCs The DL4s are now on my other PC, running from an SMSL Q5.
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sully
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 29
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Post by sully on May 2, 2019 19:47:00 GMT
Thanks for taking the trouble lads. I'll go with the Celestions then (thumbs up). PS Don't get me started on the bloomin' cyclists....
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Post by Slinger on May 3, 2019 13:40:30 GMT
Let us know how things work out.
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Post by MikeMusic on May 3, 2019 13:56:12 GMT
PS Don't get me started on the bloomin' cyclists.... I can imagine you see quite a few of them with lots travelling in packs  |
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sully
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 29
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Post by sully on May 23, 2019 9:48:57 GMT
Morning. So the SMSL SA-36A Pro digital amp arrived yesterday.... I've been chipping away at 25 years of accumulated junk (cables, laptops, notebooks, real books, tax returns etc.) - all in the dumpster! Also fixed the Celestion Little 1's to the wall (cramped, tricky) and left the cables ready for connection. So setting up the mini-amp was simplicity itself and the results were....okay... Punchy, dynamic, clear, crisp - a definite improvement on any of the PC speakers I've ever had (Creative etc.) but to be honest, a little disappointing...compressed, tannoy... However, I thought I'd give the Bose Acoustimass V a go, and I'm so glad I did! I never thought this little amp would adequately drive the Bose speakers and I do need to turn the volume up to 75% but it's really good in a small space. I don't have the vocabulary you guys possess to describe the dynamic range/qualities of this setup, and I know it's not "real hi-fi" but I did try to evaluate them somewhat using this "What Hi-Fi" guide: www.whathifi.com/features/10-best-songs-to-test-your-speakers I'm very pleased overall with the results (except maybe "Rhapsody in Blue"!). For 75 quid I have a solid PC hi-fi setup, recycling old components. Again, I'm very aware that Spotify is not lossless, and digital is not vinyl but hey, in a world where people spend over a grand on an iPhone and then listen through tinny earbuds or bluetooth speakers - I'm doing my bit! Thanks again and cheers! |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2019 10:01:19 GMT
Sounds like you have got exactly what you were looking to achieve, Sully. Nice one.
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Post by MartinT on May 23, 2019 11:06:26 GMT
Good effort and there's nothing wrong with re-using what you have knocking about. Spotify is way better than people think and is possibly the most musical sounding of all the streaming services, so that won't be holding you back.
What is Rhapsody not doing for you?
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sully
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 29
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Post by sully on May 23, 2019 14:39:09 GMT
What is Rhapsody not doing for you? Well, according to What Hi-Fi, this piece is a good test of Dynamic Range. I wasn't overly impressed but then again I'm not really sure what it should sound like.
A question - can anyone recommend an outstanding sound equalizer for Windows 10? I suspect it would only muddy the waters but the SMSL only has volume control....
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Post by MartinT on May 24, 2019 5:44:43 GMT
I reckon it wouldn't help, you want the least manipulation of the signal as possible.
Here's a good movement that tests dynamic range and midrange clarity to help you.
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Post by Slinger on May 24, 2019 13:14:35 GMT
What's your signal-chain, Sully? Is it just... COMPUTER-----SMSL AMP-----SPEAKERS?
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sully
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 29
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Post by sully on May 25, 2019 11:08:42 GMT
What's your signal-chain, Sully? Is it just... COMPUTER-----SMSL AMP-----SPEAKERS? Yup. Lenovo Laptop audio 3.5mm jack to RCA input on SMSL amp to Bose subwoofer + satellite cubes. |
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Post by Slinger on May 25, 2019 12:05:33 GMT
What's your signal-chain, Sully? Is it just... COMPUTER-----SMSL AMP-----SPEAKERS? Yup. Lenovo Laptop audio 3.5mm jack to RCA input on SMSL amp to Bose subwoofer + satellite cubes. I was just looking for places to improve on without spending a fortune: things like a better quality 3.5mm to RCA cable, or perhaps an external (USB unless there's a digital out on your laptop, I know some Lenovo models have one) DAC rather then relying on your laptop. Believe it or not, even trying one of these could be worth a go if you do have an optical or co-ax s/pdif out. I've tried one and they can punch way above their weight. USB DACS are a bit more expensive, but still pretty cheap. It's not exactly high hi fi, but it might give you some improvement in sound quality for not much outlay. |
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Post by MikeMusic on May 25, 2019 13:05:18 GMT
Much like my Analogue to Digital box. Even looks the same.
Seems very good and VFM is mad
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Post by dubulup on May 26, 2019 14:13:29 GMT
Hey Sully - plug this into USB and to 3.5mm, from Amazon, keep it simple and low cost.
Search "dragonfly black audioquest"
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