2. amps-preamps
  3. 1160929601

80's System Needs Upgrade

After years of being too busy with family and business, my music listening was confined to convenience like small but decent office mini-system, and decent car stereo. I just recently dusted off my main gear (literally sat unused for years), and started listening again. I just also subscribed to Stereophile and Sound & Vision, and this website, now I want to do something to upgrade but in steps. My current setup is real old, bought in the mid 80's but everything still works exactly like new, except my kid snapped the stylus on my Blue Point cartridge about 10 years ago (see what I mean, never got around to fixing it until now). My ancient system:

1. Kef 104/2 Speakers

2. Denon POA-2200/PRA-1100 Amp/Preamp Separates

3. Linn Axis Turntable/Basik Arm w/ broken Blue Point Cartridge

4. Sony 507ESD CD Player directly connected to Denon amp thru built-in CD jack w/high cut filter (always sounded better than thru preamp)

5. Denon TU-600 Tuner

6. Onkyo Integra TA-2800 Cassette Tape Deck

Current plan is to move my Denon amp and preamp downstairs to run some ceiling mount Triad speakers (or equal) which I want to get for the TV room, just decent enough for good background music quality for parties. The preamp has a/v inputs so I could support a 2 channel sound system for the video, frankly more interested in the music than the surround sound thing. I can always upgrade that room's system to surround in the future around the Triad's. I'll use the Denon amp B speaker outputs for outdoor speakers for adjacent patio also.

Wifey has confined the KEF's to my home office (she hates speakers, hence the ceiling mount downstairs). So my current plan is to get a good quality used integrated amp for my Kef 104/2's. I'll also get a used phono cartridge to listen to my old 70's thru 80's vinyl, make analog tapes from vinyl with my Onkyo for the car and parties, continue to use my Sony CD player (I download and burn CD's at 320 kbps and lossless if available).

Sorry for long post, but what would you recommend for $1K to $2K used integrated amp as best match for 104/2's (best sound bang for buck)? I've seen/considered used Krell 300 or 400, DK Design VS1 V.3, Portal Panache or based on my situation and music sources should I keep the Denon separates for my Kef 104's and upgrade elsewhere first, i.e. would I gain appreciable sound improvements with a good integrated over my old Denon separates? Also any ideas on a used phono cartridge for about $100? This is probably a mid-fi to entry level hi-fi question but appreciate any advice from you hi-fi experts.

edgh

Showing 3 responses by elevick

elevick
2,638 posts
 
Your Denon gear is better than you think!

For cartridges, plenty of Ortofons to consider or even a used Goldring 1012? The other suggestions above are great too. Check out ewsaunders.com or needle doctor.com.
Your table is nice.

Replace the cd player first. They have come a long way. The ES series are still good but there are many more. Your amp/pre will sound much better with a better source.

Interconnects & speaker cable have come a long way in 20 years. You don't need to get crazy but as you upgrade components, consider new interconnects into the mix?

Finally, if you go the route of an integrated to replace the Denon gear, don't limit yourself to phono stage only units. That is too limiting. You can get a nice external phono stage for $75 to $150. Parasound, Sumiko, Creek and many more are great & simple little units.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
Interconnects have improved much more than speaker cable over the last 20 years(yes, my opinion). Lots of people are going with home depot bulk wire. If you are still on skinny junk, moving up to 12 gauge HD will be a nice improvement. You will probably have to invest in gold plated connectors from radio shack also since the wire is probably too fat for the terminals on the amp and speakers. Personally, I would buy the connectors on-line from parts-express.com or mcmelectronics.com or similar.
Also, if you heard a noticable improvement with $40 Monsters, can you imagine getting used cables on audiogon for $120. Nordost, Audioquest, XLO and many more sell for 1/2 to 1/4 the retail. Or, check out the cablecompany.com.
Wow, next on your cable list is power cords. However, I don't think they will make anywhere as noticable of a difference. A line condition may make a huge difference though. Adcom, Rotel or even monster used on audiogon for $100 to $200 will get rid of lots of noise and protect your gear.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
For under $100 retail, I like Nordost for detail or Kimber PBJ for all around quality. You can get them on audiogon for much less. If you splurge a little, my favorite is Nordost Blue Heavens for about $125/pair for 3 feet(great detail but a tad too revealing sometimes). I like XLO and JPS also. High end monsters are good, just overpriced.

There are plenty of quality cables out there.
Check out some used gear web sites for cables:
www.jeffssoundvalues.com
www.echohifi.com
www.gcaudio.com
www.hcmaudio.com
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