New guy here; Sound Engineering student

[indysmith]

Hello, I'm Indy and I've joined up here after rather recently deciding that I'd like to build a decent sound hi-fi setup.
I'm a very poor student and I have no idea where to start. Right now I'm just listening to Apple Lossless files from my Macbook through some Grado SR80s. I hope to get my hands on a Firestone Audio FUBAR III DAC/Headamp before long to try and improve this listening experience.
Headphones are fine for listening while I'm at my desk, but if I'm doing anything else, I'd prefer not to have anything attached. For this reason I'm quite interested in getting a nice sounding amplifier, and some speakers (with a relatively flat response, as I'd like to use them for mixing aswell as just general listening)
I'd be very grateful for any help you guys can give me - as I say I have no idea where to start (I'm a guitar geek, not a hifi geek YET!). It doesn't have to be a particularly loud setup, as it'll be just for personal use really, and I'd appreciate if you could consider the fact that I'm a student when recommending me a £5000 amp :P
Thanks again!

[RichPA]

Welcome to AK! I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions, especially from those who think in £ instead of $ :)

[indysmith]

Thanks - Right now with £1 = about $2 currency conversion's pretty easy!
It just occurred to me that the fact that I'm in England might bear some influence on equipment choice - Is there good deals to be obtained this side of the pond?
Also it's probably relatively important to state the kind of music I'm into.
I'm very much into my electronica first and foremost, big clear snapping snares and phat synth lines are a must :D I also listen to a lot of modern punk rock (mid 80s->late 90s) but weather or not a quality setup makes a difference to punk is debatable!

[dr*audio]

Welcome to AK! Give us a budget to work in, and also do you need large speakers or will small speakers do?
You can find a pair of Celestion 3 speakers used very cheap, and use them with a subwoofer if you crave more bass. That's what I have in my living room.

[indysmith]

Welcome to AK! Give us a budget to work in, and also do you need large speakers or will small speakers do?
You can find a pair of Celestion 3 speakers used very cheap, and use them with a subwoofer if you crave more bass. That's what I have in my living room.

Hey! What's the difference between small and large speakers gonna sound like? I guess a larger speaker will project more which is obviously a good thing, but a smaller speaker saves space right?
The set-up's gonna be in my room at Uni, so obviously it doesn't have to drive a stadium but I'd definately like some spread of sound...
I have a decent enough sub hanging around at home, so I'll check out the Celestion 3s; i'll do me some reading and report back. Thanks!

EDIT: As for a budget, I have absolutely no money at all, but what I'm thinking is i could get a summer job and i could sell off some guitar gear I don't use anymore... I don't want to spend much over £500 straight away on my first hifi, but a system that i could upgrade over time as summer money and student loans etc. roll in would be cool.

[Mystic]

Welcome to the forums, Indy. What sort of guitar gear are you contemplating selling off?

[Tube Radio]

Search for a vintage receiver. They are usually not too expensive and do sound good. As for speakers if you can find them some speakers from a Later Magnavox Astro-Sonic console (the ones enclosed in styrofoam with included horn tweeter) would be a good start that won't be too expensive although they like a flat sounding amp. I paid $40.00 for mine about three weeks ago at my local thrift.

[indysmith]

Welcome to the forums, Indy. What sort of guitar gear are you contemplating selling off?

I've a Matamp Minimat that doesn't get much use, aswell as a Peavey Classic 50/50 EL84 powered power amp. There's also a Fulltone Fat Boost and an Analogman SD1/808 which i don't use atm but i don't really want to sell. I have a strat that I've compiled from custom shop parts I've bought, which obviously wouldn't be economical to sell alone, so i think i'll take it apart and sell them seperately again. Oh and I've been thinking about selling my Ibanez S Prestige w/ bare knuckle pickups, but again I'm not sure... after a set-up I think I'd love it again.
TBH all I've used for the last few months is my ESP Edwards LP straight into my JCM800 w/HotPlate...

[indysmith]

Search for a vintage receiver. They are usually not too expensive and do sound good. As for speakers if you can find them some speakers from a Later Magnavox Astro-Sonic console (the ones enclosed in styrofoam with included horn tweeter) would be a good start that won't be too expensive although they like a flat sounding amp. I paid $40.00 for mine about three weeks ago at my local thrift.

Those Magnavox speakers don't seem to be very readily available over here... I can't find those speakers even mentioned on any UK pages. :(
As far as receivers go - which are good? Are there brands to go for or to avoid? Any specific models come to mind?

[Rod G-6000]

Welcome to AK !

[Tube Radio]

Yep those Magnavox speakers aren't an everyday find. I found mine by chance as I had gone in to the thrift shop looking for a record player and happened upon these then unknown to me speakers. Look for a later Magnavox Astro-Sonic console as that's about the only way you will find them which if you find the console you wouldn't need a receiver and you could always take the guts from the console and put them in a separate smaller box. As for size the Magnavox speakers will fit easily on a bookshelf or table. For receivers if you can find it and doesn't cost too much get a Sony TAE-5450 preamp and the matching Sony TAN-5550 VFET power amp. I currently use the preamp with a modified Sansui 4000 receiver and it sounds good.

[dr*audio]

Ok, here are a few answers:
1. For a dorm room or small apartment you don't need large speakers. The idea of large speakers is the large area of the woofer moves more air. But you can get nearly the same effect with very good small speakers like the Celestions used with a subwoofer. I am using them with a Mirage 8" subwoofer and the system really kicks butt, but plays with very realistic sound as well. I listen to classical, rock, jazz and folk and that system does it all well.
2. For a receiver, I think you can go 2 ways; look for the best sound for the money, or spend a bit more and then you won't be looking to upgrade it that soon. It depends on how much you spend on speakers. Definately find the speakers first. They have more effect on the over all sound than anything else. If you can find speakers for, say $100 (I don't know how to do the pound symbol) then you have $400 to spend on a receiver. You can add a CD player or turntable later, since right now you have your lossless digital player as a source.
So, for most bang for the buck, I would recommend a Luxman receiver, get one of the receivers with an analog tuner. R1050 comes to mind. They have a killer tuner and very, very good sound. You can buy one of those for $100 USD or less. They are also super reliable. I used to do audio service at a Luxman dealer, and we hardly ever saw any for service. If you like the Digital tuners, there are some newer receivers, the R115 and R117, I think are the models.
For more money, you can check out vintage Sansui receivers, G-8000, G-9000. Stick with the G series, stay away from the R series. These 2 models are some of the best receivers any company made, but they will be probably most of your budget. They have a superb tuner, an amp and preamp section the equal of very expensive separate components, wonderful sound and top notch build quality. They are also huge and heavy and will impress your friends.:thmbsp:
A word on guitars: Sell the electronics, not the guitars! You will probably regret it later, unless the axe is really inferior.

[Mr. Lin]

Welcome, and at least you already have a really great pair of headphones!

[ybaolywa]

Welcome!

[Sandy G]

Welcome to AK !

[Scorpion8]

Welcome!

[ozmoid]

Welcome to AK, Indy! :music:As for a budget, I have absolutely no money at all...Patience is your friend here... spend time reading up on the gear in the various forums here, and you'll know the right "deal" when it comes along. :yes: Lots of good stuff out there, don't limit yourself to just one or two choices...

As far as receivers go - which are good? Are there brands to go for or to avoid? Any specific models come to mind?I'm a Yamaha fan, but there are guys here into about every major brand produced prior to 1983, and a few since, too. :D

One note on speakers: Some of my favorite boxes ever are the Wharfedale E series. The E50 should be about right for your needs, and I would think they would be plentiful where you are... they are scarce as hen's teeth over here!

[Tube Radio]

You might try the TEAC reference series receivers. http://www.teac.com/consumer_electronics/reference.html

[Elfasto]

Welcome aboard!

As far as speakers go, can't go wrong with a pair of Minimus 7 or 7W's. Excellent speaker for the size and price. Getting a little harder to find prime one's, but they turn up.

[Holst]

Welcome to AK. It's also effective to let people know you are on the hunt for gear, sometimes people decided to pitch their old gear, I've found a few nice units like that.

[SPL db]

Welcome to AK! :wave:

Scott

[mulester7]

Welcome, Indy Smith!

[cableguy]

Welcome aboard..


Bill