Is this actually an upgrade over the kenwood? I wasn't sure because I heard one person somewhere say the kenwood was "low-fi" but is this true? I first saw the nad suggested because of its phono stage quality but I've also heard it stated that the nad is noisy and takes 2hrs to warm up properly. I can get the nad for $130. A third option would be to buy my dads denon avr-3805 receiver for about $180 as he is looking to upgrade but I heard the phono stage wasn't spectaular on this. The last suggestion I saw was an onkyo a-9555 for $400 this would be about the highest I could ever foresee wanting to spend on an amp.
Speakers are another issue. I have some bose acoustimass 5 series ii but I'm not very happy with them. The bass and treble both stick out badly as a start. Don't flame me for the bose I got them as a hand me down. This system is in a large bedroom so I'm not sure what would be appropriate for it. I found a pair of paradigm 3se mkii for $75, some paradigm 7se for $100, and paradigm titan v4's for $160. I've also heard polk bookshelves recommended quite a lot over the paradigms because the paradigm's have boomy low mids.
I plan to use it with my dual 1229 w/ an at440mla mainly as well as computer, and tv. Music I listen to is quite varied from classic rock, jazz, classical, to psytrance. I like to be able to hear extremely low frequencies in electronic music but they don't have to be overly loud and I like a very detailed sound where I can hear the reverb decay in the recording areas (main reason I picked the at440mla). I also prefer transparency over sound coloration. How could I achieve the low bass frequencies I like without going overboard for use in a bedroom? The review I read for a 7se said the bass extension was 34hz @ -10db but I also worry about how well these would last since they must be about 25 yrs old.
I'd prefer to save money for something better if I can't get what I'm looking for from this. Suggestions are very appreciated. Thanks.
Speakers are another issue. I have some bose acoustimass 5 series ii but I'm not very happy with them. The bass and treble both stick out badly as a start. Don't flame me for the bose I got them as a hand me down. This system is in a large bedroom so I'm not sure what would be appropriate for it. I found a pair of paradigm 3se mkii for $75, some paradigm 7se for $100, and paradigm titan v4's for $160. I've also heard polk bookshelves recommended quite a lot over the paradigms because the paradigm's have boomy low mids.
I plan to use it with my dual 1229 w/ an at440mla mainly as well as computer, and tv. Music I listen to is quite varied from classic rock, jazz, classical, to psytrance. I like to be able to hear extremely low frequencies in electronic music but they don't have to be overly loud and I like a very detailed sound where I can hear the reverb decay in the recording areas (main reason I picked the at440mla). I also prefer transparency over sound coloration. How could I achieve the low bass frequencies I like without going overboard for use in a bedroom? The review I read for a 7se said the bass extension was 34hz @ -10db but I also worry about how well these would last since they must be about 25 yrs old.
I'd prefer to save money for something better if I can't get what I'm looking for from this. Suggestions are very appreciated. Thanks.
