Audiophile recordings

[dana]

Metallica's black album is a phenomenal recording. IMO one of the greatest ever. Use that

[Ctonez]

Modern Jazz Quartet - Anything they recorded in the studio. The live stuff is awesome, but not good for referencing a system.

[domwilson]

This site can answer your question.
http://stevehoffman.tv/forums/

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

[longballlumber]

Hey Gang,

I am glad I ran across this thread. I have been doing a bunch of reading lately on Home Stereo/Theater equipment. It all started when my wife showed interest in buying a Bose 3-2-1 system to complement our new 50” Plasma (sound sucks). I told her to hold off because we could spend our money better elsewhere… Well, 6+ months later we haven’t bought anything and I am more confused than when I started. Up to this point I have only owned the traditional integrated amp, AM/FM receiver, processor (AKA HTR).

I notice that many of you use a separate amp, and processer as well as, building your own speakers. There are so many options and you can sink a TON of money into this stuff. What I am looking to do is expand the sound in our living room. 80/20 would be the ratio of TV to music even though I prefer listening to music over the TV, but the Wife rules on this one. I am not looking for 7.1 surround but a nice sounding 3.1 speaker system and a good system to power it all. Space and aesthetics are always a concern with my wife and I need to please her on this one.

I did get a chance to go listen to some Klipsch speakers, but I wasn’t too thrilled with them. They were too “tinny” for me. I am told that is because of the horn style tweeter they use. I then went to another locally owned store and listen to a pair of Monitor Audio BR6 towers. They sounded great, but I am skeptical because of the “dressed” room I listen to them in. I don’t know if they will sound that nice in my room… blah blah blah….

Do any of you audiophiles have some tips suggestions etc…?

Later,
Mike

[johnf]

Suggestion for the.1, visit hsu research. Hands down best all around subs i've heard for the money.

[domwilson]

Hey Gang,

I am glad I ran across this thread. I have been doing a bunch of reading lately on Home Stereo/Theater equipment. It all started when my wife showed interest in buying a Bose 3-2-1 system to complement our new 50” Plasma (sound sucks). I told her to hold off because we could spend our money better elsewhere… Well, 6+ months later we haven’t bought anything and I am more confused than when I started. Up to this point I have only owned the traditional integrated amp, AM/FM receiver, processor (AKA HTR).

I notice that many of you use a separate amp, and processer as well as, building your own speakers. There are so many options and you can sink a TON of money into this stuff. What I am looking to do is expand the sound in our living room. 80/20 would be the ratio of TV to music even though I prefer listening to music over the TV, but the Wife rules on this one. I am not looking for 7.1 surround but a nice sounding 3.1 speaker system and a good system to power it all. Space and aesthetics are always a concern with my wife and I need to please her on this one.

I did get a chance to go listen to some Klipsch speakers, but I wasn’t too thrilled with them. They were too “tinny” for me. I am told that is because of the horn style tweeter they use. I then went to another locally owned store and listen to a pair of Monitor Audio BR6 towers. They sounded great, but I am skeptical because of the “dressed” room I listen to them in. I don’t know if they will sound that nice in my room… blah blah blah….

Do any of you audiophiles have some tips suggestions etc…?

Later,
Mike

B&W and Magnepan for speakers. However, I recommend listening to speaker for yourself. look for clarity in the vocals. The pluck of a acoustic guitar. The shine of brass instruments. Does the bass have impact or just a boom? A kickdrum sound like a kickdrum or does it sound like a boom. The important thing is what sounds good to you. Put most of your money in the best sounding speakers you can. What kind of budget are you thinking?

[domwilson]

Suggestion for the.1, visit hsu research. Hands down best all around subs i've heard for the money.

Yes they are good and so are the sunfire subs... http://www.sunfire.com/

[johnf]

Sunfire is one I haven't heard. Heard good things about em though. Have heard various hsus, older flagship velodynes, svs ultras, etc in personal in home setups. My preference so far is the good Dr. Hsu's sub.

[Flying Scotsman]

B&W and Magnepan for speakers. However, I recommend listening to speaker for yourself. look for clarity in the vocals. The pluck of a acoustic guitar. The shine of brass instruments. Does the bass have impact or just a boom? A kickdrum sound like a kickdrum or does it sound like a boom. The important thing is what sounds good to you. Put most of your money in the best sounding speakers you can. What kind of budget are you thinking?

Maggies are terific speakers but lack base response, two sub woofers are required. B&W make great speakers....my set up is Snell speakers..Classe Audio pre amp..Odyessy amp...Dunlop Systemdek turntable....Rega cd player...Cambirdge Audio tuner....Kimble inerconects.

The turntable is the best source with a moving coil pickup and a highly modified Rega arm,

Douggie

[detox]

Maggies are terific speakers but lack base response, two sub woofers are required. B&W make great speakers....my set up is Snell speakers..Classe Audio pre amp..Odyessy amp...Dunlop Systemdek turntable....Rega cd player...Cambirdge Audio tuner....Kimble inerconects.

The turntable is the best source with a moving coil pickup and a highly modified Rega arm,

Douggie

I once owned the solid state Odyssey amp, but it was a bad match for my Sonus Faber Grand Piano speakers. Made them sound overly bright with escessive ssssssssibilance.

[domwilson]

Maggies are terific speakers but lack base response, two sub woofers are required. B&W make great speakers....my set up is Snell speakers..Classe Audio pre amp..Odyessy amp...Dunlop Systemdek turntable....Rega cd player...Cambirdge Audio tuner....Kimble inerconects.

The turntable is the best source with a moving coil pickup and a highly modified Rega arm,

Douggie

I have the MMG's and they are good for most types of music. I do use a sub but mostly to fill in the bottom end on movies. I own a lot of different speakers from a lot of manufacturers. But my favorites are some MTM's that I built with the bottom end filled in by a sub. Designing some new speakers that shouldn't need a sub....Hopefully.

[Flying Scotsman]

I once owned the solid state Odyssey amp, but it was a bad match for my Sonus Faber Grand Piano speakers. Made them sound overly bright with escessive ssssssssibilance.

Nice speakers...I had the same problem with a Celeste amp..the Odyessy cured it...what amp and preamp are you using.....tubes/valves?

Douggie

[detox]

I like tone controls and the loudness button. Finally settled on a cheap Denon 2 channel AM/FM receiver.

[Alfa Spirit]

If your HI-FI components are very well balanced you don' t need bass treeble and loudness settings

All the components are important. Loudspeakers: JBL, BEYMA, FOSTEX, DAVIS, SUPRAVOX...

DIY !! Boomers = JBL 2226H, Midrange = FOSTEX 2225K, Tweeters = BEYMA CP21/F

[Flying Scotsman]

I like tone controls and the loudness button. Finally settled on a cheap Denon 2 channel AM/FM receiver.

Hmmmm, not a great choice with your speakers....tone control and loudness button..HMMMM

Douggie