Tell us about your stereo!

[gcczep]

The only speaker connection I don't have are "Balanced" inputs, that is an entirely new level and I've never owned anything that had those. I have thought about it but am happy playing in the upper midrange of audio gear, the really expensive stuff is like a Ferrari, you pay so much for modest improvements I just could never justify that kind of investment, if money was no object that would be a different story.

George, it is nice that you can change around certain interconnects and get the sound of the ML's to "mellow" out, I don't go too far into that area but do have a few really good interconnects. For the average person with entry level equipment they might not really notice much of a difference, but when you start going up into the more expensive gear like Parasound/ML's then you will definitely hear the difference.

What pre-amp are you using?

I have the Onkyo PR-SC886...

Bruce, XLRs have better noise rejection capabilities IF you are doing long runs to your amp. Otherwise, I read that there is no difference quality wise BUT I do notice that it is louder than RCA unbalanced connections by at least 2 dbs for better or for worse.

I will be going from 14 with the Home Depot's to 10 gauge with the Beldens. It's funny how the old Monster Navajo Whites were outclassed by the less known Home Depot's when I changed them up. Much cheaper too...

 

[gcczep]

But speaker wire is not cheap! Last time I priced some, it was way more than I expected. If they color coded the outside it was 5 bucks more than the ones the same size that didn't have markings..

But I'll be sure to buy the big stuff next time I redo my speaker wires..I'm getting ready to go with a rack system since I've always kept my stereo equipment in a big closet.

When you decide to buy speaker wires...check out Monoprice or Blue Jeans Cable. The former has great prices on any sort of item you need for audio and video. The reason I went with BJC is that I was looking for larger gauge. Likely reasonable shipping and NO tax for you.

 

[LG]

Nice looking Preamp, sure has enough connections to keep you out of trouble for the foreseeable future.

I've known about balanced inputs/outputs for a long time but never purchased any equipment that used them. I don't have really long runs for my speakers so I'm happy with the cable I've got right now.

 

[CREAM'd]

What kinda headphones do y'all use?

 

[LG]

^^Hello CREAM'd, long time no see.

I don't use headphones anymore, but I did have a nice pair of Sennheiser's years ago, the open air lightweight design and they lasted me a long time.

Grado has a top rated model out that consistently wins high praise from publications and consumers alike.

 

[Jantine]

People still use stereos!?

 

[LG]

^^Of course they do...not all of us are happy with an i-pod and crappy AAC compressed sound, not when you grew up experiencing the Golden Age of audio equipment like I have.

There is no comparison in quality between the two, I give the digital age gear the edge for portability, but if you asked any of the musicians who record the music you enjoy, they would take analog/mastertapes/vinyl over CD's/i-pods everytime, one has warmth and soul and the other is almost totally lacking in those areas. When the next jump to 24-192 occurs then DVD's will come very close to the old analog records.

 

[gcczep]

What kinda headphones do y'all use?

None for me although I have thought about it from time to time.

 

[gcczep]

People still use stereos!?

Yes, there are still those out there who want to LISTEN to music for all its nuances and textures as opposed to it just filling time and silence.

 

[LG]

Yes, there are still those out there who want to LISTEN to music for all its nuances and textures as opposed to it just filling time and silence.