New Stereo?

[Newk]

I'm about ready to replace may ancient stereo system. I am not looking for the best thing out there, just a good value that will provide a noticable improvement.

Here is what I have:

Yamaha Natural Sound RX 930 Receiver

Roger Sound Lab 3800 Studio Monitors

Yamaha DVD 655 CD changer

Sony DVP NS500V DVD/SACD player

The receiver and the speakers are my first priority.

If anyone has any recommendations or can direct me to a thread or website I would be grateful.

I listen to mostly acoustic jazz.

Thanks.

Edited December 12, 2004 by Newk

[Stefan Wood]

Check out;

www.audioadvisor.com

[DrJ]

A loaded question around here! My only advice is - check out both tube and solid state amps to find out which you prefer. If you've never had a chance to hear tube amps, you should check 'em out. Some very fine low-cost systems can be assembled, and in my view once you hear a good tube system you'll have a hard time listening to jazz on anything else.

IF you decide you like tube amps, then you also ought to think strongly about a tube CD player or separate CD transport/tube DAC set-up.

These low cost systems won't give you "mega high output" or floor-shaking bass, but then again, if you like acoustic jazz that's not important. What they will give is a very true, warm sound and NO digital harshness and the associated ear fatigue that goes with it. You can listen to CDs for literally HOURS without your ears saying "enough!"

[jazzbo]

I agree with Tony, and do a lot of looking about and listening if you can.

I went from some pretty nice solid state gear to vintage EICO tube gear and finally found the best system I've ever had, and where I'm stopping for some time to come in a system from Decware, a sort of cottage industry tube equipment place run by designer/drummer Steve Deckert. I have their tubed output SACD/DVD/CD player, a pair of their EL34 Monoblock amps, and their Radial RL2 speakers. I've had amps of theirs since 1997 without any problem, with lots of great sound and enjoyment.

Here below is their online bulletin board where you can get some interesting advice and view and also their online catalog page.

Decware bulletin board

Decware Online catalog

[Leeway]

First of all, I'd ask: why do you want to replace what you have?

Then: what do you hope to get in your new system?

Then: how much are you willing to pay for it?

Then: where are local dealers who can give me a chance to do some listening?

Then: what do I like from what I've heard?

You need to ask yourself these questions. When you have all the answers, you are ready to buy. Good luck.