This post may be annoying as I am uncertain of what to do with my setup, describing my worries and hopes.
I purchased a pair of Infinity RS-4001's back in about '89. A tweeter failure and I replaced the polyspherites with EMIT. Then picked up a pair of RS-3000's and discovered the polycell sounded more accurate, sacrificing ability to do the highest notes in comparison. They stack on top of each other, the 4001's are on the floor keeping a woofer near the floor for bass. Wood floors, not a high ceiling, a giant leather couch absorbs a lot of the bass, but I enjoy the transmission to feeling the music. They are 6' apart, prime listening spot is 12' in front. Part of the room is about 35' from the speakers, not a listening area, but trying to describe acoustics of the room. Speaker efficiency is probably 89. I realize these speakers were sold by big-box stores and am fairly happy if ignorance is bliss as far as my belief they sound good. But are they worthy of a high end amp build? The best I've owned were Polk SDA's from '89, they were better. Financially I can't do better for speakers, but an amp build may be possible later in the year.
Source from here on out will probably be a new Macbook Pro for critical listening. There is an old Thinkpad running Lubuntu as the permanent install, I use the Macbook for 50% of my computing time. I see threads on using raspberrypi, and have a couple but not sold it is any improvement over the Thinkpad.
Playing FLAC files, have a few Apple lossless, and some MP3, most often from network storage in another room. There is a Linux workstation with free PCI space, but it is on the other side of the room and running cables isn't practical without a very long run up through the attic.
Amplification is currently coming from a NAD 7120 integrated unit circa 1983, rated 20 watts, but would like 50w with lots of headroom to go just a few db higher. Imaging and quality is better than the higher powered HK unit that died from same time period / '87. It cannot be used for a pre-amp so I need to find what to do there.
I listen to various rock, a little electronic, Coltrane (want good imaging and feeling of air moving over sax reed), and would like it to sound good with classical, acoustic guitar, vocals. I don't know what kate perry looks or sounds like other than I have the impression she is an attractive brunette, probably with a nice boob job. Even running all 4 speakers at once there isn't enough bass in the room without increasing bass at amp. Afraid adding a powered sub would make it sound trashy.
If I want to run these 4 x 6 ohm speakers, what amp - preamp builds should be considered? Considering 4 channels of F5 Turbo V(?)if I can afford to have someone solder most of it for me. I can handle construction of cases, and non critical soldering but I don't have the dexterity for precision work due to nerve damage. What to do about a pre-amp? I feel I need some bias control, there is a lot of variability on the FLAC files I have acquired, they were not created equal.
Should I be looking at a different amp / preamp setup altogether?
I can't imagine I could afford speakers that sound any better than these stacked on top of each other. Like many, money is the issue. Some day I might end up with some RS-IIIB's (4 ohm), or Polk SDA's from late 80's. Would like to have the amp carry over if that ever happens, even if requiring some professional work.
The RS-3000's and NAD would sound great in our yoga room if I can do the speakers the following year.
OK, that's my audio therapy session. What insurance do you take?
I purchased a pair of Infinity RS-4001's back in about '89. A tweeter failure and I replaced the polyspherites with EMIT. Then picked up a pair of RS-3000's and discovered the polycell sounded more accurate, sacrificing ability to do the highest notes in comparison. They stack on top of each other, the 4001's are on the floor keeping a woofer near the floor for bass. Wood floors, not a high ceiling, a giant leather couch absorbs a lot of the bass, but I enjoy the transmission to feeling the music. They are 6' apart, prime listening spot is 12' in front. Part of the room is about 35' from the speakers, not a listening area, but trying to describe acoustics of the room. Speaker efficiency is probably 89. I realize these speakers were sold by big-box stores and am fairly happy if ignorance is bliss as far as my belief they sound good. But are they worthy of a high end amp build? The best I've owned were Polk SDA's from '89, they were better. Financially I can't do better for speakers, but an amp build may be possible later in the year.
Source from here on out will probably be a new Macbook Pro for critical listening. There is an old Thinkpad running Lubuntu as the permanent install, I use the Macbook for 50% of my computing time. I see threads on using raspberrypi, and have a couple but not sold it is any improvement over the Thinkpad.
Playing FLAC files, have a few Apple lossless, and some MP3, most often from network storage in another room. There is a Linux workstation with free PCI space, but it is on the other side of the room and running cables isn't practical without a very long run up through the attic.
Amplification is currently coming from a NAD 7120 integrated unit circa 1983, rated 20 watts, but would like 50w with lots of headroom to go just a few db higher. Imaging and quality is better than the higher powered HK unit that died from same time period / '87. It cannot be used for a pre-amp so I need to find what to do there.
I listen to various rock, a little electronic, Coltrane (want good imaging and feeling of air moving over sax reed), and would like it to sound good with classical, acoustic guitar, vocals. I don't know what kate perry looks or sounds like other than I have the impression she is an attractive brunette, probably with a nice boob job. Even running all 4 speakers at once there isn't enough bass in the room without increasing bass at amp. Afraid adding a powered sub would make it sound trashy.
If I want to run these 4 x 6 ohm speakers, what amp - preamp builds should be considered? Considering 4 channels of F5 Turbo V(?)if I can afford to have someone solder most of it for me. I can handle construction of cases, and non critical soldering but I don't have the dexterity for precision work due to nerve damage. What to do about a pre-amp? I feel I need some bias control, there is a lot of variability on the FLAC files I have acquired, they were not created equal.
Should I be looking at a different amp / preamp setup altogether?
I can't imagine I could afford speakers that sound any better than these stacked on top of each other. Like many, money is the issue. Some day I might end up with some RS-IIIB's (4 ohm), or Polk SDA's from late 80's. Would like to have the amp carry over if that ever happens, even if requiring some professional work.
The RS-3000's and NAD would sound great in our yoga room if I can do the speakers the following year.
OK, that's my audio therapy session. What insurance do you take?