Hey everyone. I have been lurking for a while but this is my first post. I need some amp advice. Heres what I am currently running in my main system.

Main System:
Sony GX57 ES Receiver
Sony CDP
Pro-Ject Xpression III TT
Infinity P362 Speakers

I think it all sounds great but that Sony ES receiver is what I would describe as "delicate". I have to turn it up half way to get to a decent volume and it still lacks. I also have a JVC Rx-950 Receiver from 1989. It was their top model in 89 at a whopping $1299. I hooked it up and it has all kinds of power and the speakers opened up so much. Only problem, the phono pre-amp is shot on the JVC.

I am going to start researching a new amp. I am looking for something that is clean and clear but will rock these speakers but also sound good at lower levels. I am open to any suggestions...

if you are otherwise happy with the JVC you could always buy a separate phono amp for around $100 that would match or better the performance of the original.

We're pretty much in the same boat. I'm a newbie at this as well.

I can just tell you that it's been a week and i'm STILL blushing over the sound of my Sansui Intergrated amp I got from GW. close to $600 retail in 1986. 110wpc. My ES recoiever is good. But My L5's are very much in love with the Sansui. NOW my ES unit is pushing my DCM speakers.

I'm actually not a newbie but it is my first time posting. I've been messing with stereo equipment for about 20 years now. There is just so much stuff out there in the new and used market that it can get jumbled in my brain.

I love the looks of the sansui stuff. It is something I will definitely consider.

Hey everyone. I have been lurking for a while but this is my first post. I need some amp advice. Heres what I am currently running in my main system.

Main System:
Sony GX57 ES Receiver
Sony CDP
Pro-Ject Xpression III TT
Infinity P362 Speakers

I think it all sounds great but that Sony ES receiver is what I would describe as "delicate". I have to turn it up half way to get to a decent volume and it still lacks. I also have a JVC Rx-950 Receiver from 1989. It was their top model in 89 at a whopping $1299. I hooked it up and it has all kinds of power and the speakers opened up so much. Only problem, the phono pre-amp is shot on the JVC.

I am going to start researching a new amp. I am looking for something that is clean and clear but will rock these speakers but also sound good at lower levels. I am open to any suggestions...

If you like the JVC, I would look into having its phono section repaired, and just use the Sony while the JVC is in the shop. What, by the way, is wrong with the phono section in the JVC?

What's your budget?

How big is your room?

How loud do you listen?

New with warranty or used without?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Use your sony's phono preamp section, connected to your JVC via tape out!

Use your sony's phono preamp section, connected to your JVC via tape out!

That is certainly the least expensive solution, and should work beautifully. If, however, he wants less equipment on his rack, I think he should go with my suggestion above. But if he is fine with the extra gear on his rack, he should just do as you suggest and be done and enjoy the music instead of wasting time, money, and effort on doing something else that isn't likely to give better results.

I am unsure what is wrong with the JVC's phono pre. One channel pops in and out and comes back on when you tap on the side. It was making a loud sound through the speakers so I immediately switched it with the Sony. I moved the JVC downstairs to my secondary system. It works fine with CDP.

My room is L shaped, which is rough, but the approximate listening area is 12x24.

I haven't really considered a budget. New or used will be considered but when I buy used gear I usually won't go over $300. Just to minimize losses if something goes wrong. New gear would be $500-650 maybe a little more

I like to listen loud but not blowing windows out. But I like the amp to stick out at lower volumes as well. I hope that makes sense. The Sony amp is so quiet it gets lost at lower volumes.

I can't use the Sony phono pre and the JVC power section because I don't have the room in my rack. Plus that would be a little cluttered for my taste.

I am unsure what is wrong with the JVC's phono pre. One channel pops in and out and comes back on when you tap on the side. It was making a loud sound through the speakers so I immediately switched it with the Sony. I moved the JVC downstairs to my secondary system. It works fine with CDP.

My room is L shaped, which is rough, but the approximate listening area is 12x24.

I haven't really considered a budget. New or used will be considered but when I buy used gear I usually won't go over $300. Just to minimize losses if something goes wrong. New gear would be $500-650 maybe a little more

I like to listen loud but not blowing windows out. But I like the amp to stick out at lower volumes as well. I hope that makes sense. The Sony amp is so quiet it gets lost at lower volumes.

I can't use the Sony phono pre and the JVC power section because I don't have the room in my rack. Plus that would be a little cluttered for my taste.

I recommend looking into getting the JVC fixed. You like it, so this is probably the safest route. It shouldn't cost that much to have the phono section repaired.

Are you tech minded? Are you handy with a soldering iron? On the JVC, it sounds like a loose connection that a simple resolder would fix!

Here's a few:
Rega Brio (http://www.rega.co.uk/html/brio.htm)

One of these:
Jolida 1701 (http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/models/jd1701.shtml)
With one of the new Bellari VP-130's, a Pro-Ject Phono Box II, or a Cambridge phono stage, or a Rega Fono...there are all kinds of really decent phono stages that don't cost too much...

Or maybe at the very least, one of these:
Outlaw Receiver (http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html)

You've already got two older units that are giving you headaches, why not try something new of really decent quality (and, don't be scared of the noise problems that some of the Bellari owners have reported, Bellari has recently fixed that problem with a new power supply that takes care of the noise problem, we haven't had a noise problem in months from any that have bought the new version) and get something a cut above most mass market gear that will give you many trouble free years of service...

The other alternative is to find a restored older unit from one of the reputable folks who get mentioned here quite often...but, a good older unit, properly restored, is still an old unit and has a greater chance of having a component fail...and, should it be a component that is no longer made, well, that's a real problem...and you won't save any money compared to a new piece...and, I know there are those who will disagree, but I get to listen to the good new stuff all the time, and the new gear really walks all over most classic audio gear...you wouldn't believe how good one of the newer Music Hall Trio receivers sounded through a set of $7K Audio Physic Scorpios....

Good luck, the adventure is just beginning!!!

.

Might just need the controls cleaned.

Have you tried wiggling the connectors to see if that's the culprit?

If all you have to do is tap the side it's probably something pretty simple.

Cold solder joint, loose jack connection, dirty control, etc.

I think I will open up the JVC just to see if it is anything obvious. I am still looking into a new amp though. I have been interested in the tube and hybrid amps. Anyone have any experience with the Bada or Jolida hybrids?

Another amp that a friend is trying to talk me into is the Onkyo a-9555. Anyone have any experience with it? I have read some raving reviews and the price is right.

If you want to try out the tube sound, pick up a properly restored Scott 222 or Fisher X-100 or similar Pilot, Sherwood etc el-84 amp from a reputable source; you just might be able get a nice one for 300-350... That kind of vintage gear can give new stuff a real run for the money, and even laggards like Stereophile are beginning to realize this...only about 20 years late. Their reviews of vintage equipment are naive and pretty lame imo. A few of us have known about it all along. One built new today to the quality standards that they had then, if even possible, would cost at least $1500, and the vintage unit will only appreciate in value. Such a deal. Roger A. VTV writer, Binghamton NY home of McIntosh Labs

Where are these reputable sources you speak of? I don't know any place to look for used gear other than ebay, and that can get a little sketchy.

Get that JVC fixed or do it yourself. You will search pretty far and wide to find new gear that will match that sound. Once serviced and repaired, it should be quite happy for another 20 years. We generally don't let the big boxes languish. Having that robust a piece sets a bar that you can compare new and late model stuff to. That one's a keeper.

eBay can get tricky, but there are reputable sellers there, just take your time and ask lots of questions, and there are folks with actual repair businesses that restore/sell vintage stuff and care about keeping a good name... some even advertise here. Like anything, you gotta do some homework first, but it will be worth the effort.

Get that JVC fixed or do it yourself. You will search pretty far and wide to find new gear that will match that sound. Once serviced and repaired, it should be quite happy for another 20 years. We generally don't let the big boxes languish. Having that robust a piece sets a bar that you can compare new and late model stuff to. That one's a keeper.

I second this motion! That JVC is very worthy of fixing and should not be hard at all to repair. You'll be glad you did! If you're dead set on replacing it and want to get into tubes, I own 2 Jolida tube amps and would be glad to discuss them with you! Email me if you would like.

Steve

Actually, I love that JVC. Other amps have come and gone but I have had this since I bought it new in 89. What should I be looking for when I try to fix it.

Heres what it does. The phono input will cut out on one side randomly. If I tap the side near the back, sometimes it will come back on, sometimes it will make an awful noise through the speakers. I have switched cables and even used some deoxit on the rca jack and that didn't help. All of the other inputs work perfectly. I should also mention that until recently the Phono input on the amp had never been used. So whatever is wrong is not from wear & tear.

The inside is very dusty, is there anything I can use to clean it while I have it apart?

Thanks guys.

Actually, I love that JVC. Other amps have come and gone but I have had this since I bought it new in 89. What should I be looking for when I try to fix it.

Heres what it does. The phono input will cut out on one side randomly. If I tap the side near the back, sometimes it will come back on, sometimes it will make an awful noise through the speakers. I have switched cables and even used some deoxit on the rca jack and that didn't help. All of the other inputs work perfectly. I should also mention that until recently the Phono input on the amp had never been used. So whatever is wrong is not from wear & tear.

The inside is very dusty, is there anything I can use to clean it while I have it apart?

Thanks guys.

To fix it yourself, you need a soldering iron and you need to know how to solder. If you cannot solder, do not bother opening it up; just call a trusted repair shop and talk with them about it. It sounds like there is a loose connection inside that needs to be re-soldered, though it could be something else. You would take the cover off (with it unplugged), and look at the wires at the phono connection on the back, and trace them to the first circuit board they go to. It may be either end of the connection of the wire itself, or something on that board that the solder is not firmly holding. If you find a loose connection, resolder it. Then try it again to see if it works properly. If you don't find any loose connections, then you will need to take it to a shop to have them diagnose it.

If you are not up for that, take it to a trusted service center and have them fix it for you. It really should be just about the cheapest repair they will do; with some shops that will be somewhere around $60. But you will need to talk with them and tell them what the problem is, and ask them to give you some guess about the repair bill. Typically, there are no expensive parts in phono preamp sections, so even if it is more than a bad connection, it should not be too expensive.

Well, I have some soldering skills so I am going to take a look at it. As a backup to me not being able to fix it I called a local shop and he said it should be no problem to fix. Roughly $60 to fix. I'll post an update and a pic when it is finished. Thanks for all the advice folks.