53 replies to this topic

[cristina]

So the receiver/amplifier/tuner part of my CD player setup died. I went out today to find a replacement. Imagine my surprise when I found two, neither of which was what I wanted. But only two...there used to be 50 to choose from in any electronics store.

I have a perfectly good CD player, perfectly good speakers, and nothing to...well, do whatever a receiver/amplifier/tuner does. What the heck do people use today, and what do I do now? Am I that far out of the loop? (I think that translates to old...)

[rancho_gordo]

So the receiver/amplifier/tuner part of my CD player setup died. I went out today to find a replacement. Imagine my surprise when I found two, neither of which was what I wanted. But only two...there used to be 50 to choose from in any electronics store.

I have a perfectly good CD player, perfectly good speakers, and nothing to...well, do whatever a receiver/amplifier/tuner does. What the heck do people use today, and what do I do now? Am I that far out of the loop? (I think that translates to old...)

Are they seperate components or is it one of those all in one deals?
I was surprised when my CD player crapped out that all the new players are multi-disc.
I think most of the young folks buy these all-in-one things because they are so cheap and sound pretty good. Then you just throw it out and buy a new one when you need it.

[hollywood]

I think most of the young folks buy these all-in-one things because they are so cheap and sound pretty good. Then you just throw it out and buy a new one when you need it.

Kids today!

[mongo_jones]

it is hard to find a stand-alone amplifier these days as most companies seem to sell all-in-one home theater receivers. i have one of those--the wonderful, but discontinued, denon avr-3300. the sound is so great i'd recommend it even for only audio use. they show up every once in a while on ebay, but unfortunately, because of how good they are prices tend to be high. but ebay in general is a good place to shop for things like this (as long as seller ratings and history are strong).

[Orik]

Once there were very good amplifiers, made with matched pairs of transistors, crazy good amplifiers made with tubes, and crap amplifiers/tuners/whatever made with hybrid chips. Then everything got sort of digital and muddled, everyone was offering amplifier/tuner units that could make your DVDs sound like "Jazz/Rock/Concert/Grandma on the cell phone" and play your video with 5712+1, but made no promises as to what THD is going to be, which sort of took the point out of the game and reduced the number of competitors from 50 to 2.

Traditionally Denon, Pioneer and Yamaha were best, but unless they let you look inside it's hard to say anything these days.

[ngatti]

Crutchfield

I think there are a couple of pages of such within their print catalogue. Should be plenty of what you're looking for on the site also.


edit:
Wow!! I started poking around as I consider myself a dabbler. Not having the time to take on another expensive hobby and a serious lack of time have kept me from jumping into this with both feet.

But...

Jeez, the changes wrought by XM, XMHD, HDTV and the advent of home theatre seem to have really tightened the choices. I swear I was looking at tons of hi end HI-Fi equipment a year ago. Plenty of amps, plenty of receivers. Alas no more...

Melonious should weigh in here.

Edited by ngatti, 15 September 2006 - 02:45 AM.

[memesuze]

this is why I love Austin - we have Mr. Wizards - a couple of older geeks who are into reparing for an honest price whatever you bring them - components, brand new mega TVs, old typewriters. I first began using them when my receiver crapped out fifteen or so years ago - Circle Stereo wanted $125 to fix it, and for that price I could buy a new one. So I took it to Mr. Wizards and they charged me less than $15 for parts and labor for a defective switch. It may take a month to get it back, but it's better than new [I always take a new TV to them for adjustment] and it's a reasonable fee. Cristina, isn't there someone like that in G-town?

[ngatti]

this is why I love Austin - we have Mr. Wizards - a couple of older geeks who are into reparing for an honest price whatever you bring them - components, brand new mega TVs, old typewriters. I first began using them when my receiver crapped out fifteen or so years ago - Circle Stereo wanted $125 to fix it, and for that price I could buy a new one. So I took it to Mr. Wizards and they charged me less than $15 for parts and labor for a defective switch. It may take a month to get it back, but it's better than new [I always take a new TV to them for adjustment] and it's a reasonable fee. Cristina, isn't there someone like that in G-town?

maybe this'll help.

[cristina]

Cristina, isn't there someone like that in G-town?

Yes, I may well go that route. This receiver is, however, old enough to vote. I thought I could get something similar. Ha!

Ngatti, I spent a while looking at the CNET site, and I did indeed learn a lot. Mostly what I learned is that I don't need A/V (I really only want to play CDs and GDL's wonderful classical radio station). I don't have whatever home theater is--lordy, I am such an old fogy. I remember when home theater was my Dad, his 16mm projector, and home movies he'd made of my sister in her Tinkerbell costume or me catching a fish. We watched and did our own running commentary--look! It's a bluegill!

And A/V was a nerdy kid with a cart and an overhead projector, wheeling into Health class for one of Those Classes.

Times have changed, for sure.

[Maurice Naughton]

Am I that far out of the loop? (I think that translates to old...)

Yes. Come sit here next to me.

[ngatti]

Cristina, isn't there someone like that in G-town?

Yes, I may well go that route. This receiver is, however, old enough to vote. I thought I could get something similar. Ha!

Ngatti, I spent a while looking at the CNET site, and I did indeed learn a lot. Mostly what I learned is that I don't need A/V (I really only want to play CDs and GDL's wonderful classical radio station). I don't have whatever home theater is--lordy, I am such an old fogy. I remember when home theater was my Dad, his 16mm projector, and home movies he'd made of my sister in her Tinkerbell costume or me catching a fish. We watched and did our own running commentary--look! It's a bluegill!

And A/V was a nerdy kid with a cart and an overhead projector, wheeling into Health class for one of Those Classes.

Times have changed, for sure.

I don't have a home theatre set-up either. I've been threatening such for years, but really have never gotten around to it.

I guess the manufacturer's are finding that building the confluence of A&V together is cost effective and, from a marketing standpoint profitable. A wider audience.

It seems to me that sound is encompassing more and more formats. Video/computer games, XM, XM HD, HDTV-home theatre, enhanced DVD soud tracks and lest we forget, plain vanilla over the air radio, cds and vinyl.

Rather than have an array of componnents, they figure better to bundle everything up. Sound connecters, componnent, S-video, HDMI, Five hundred Dolby protocols, etc...etc... ad nauseum.

[cristina]

Am I that far out of the loop? (I think that translates to old...)

Yes. Come sit here next to me.

Con mucho gusto, Don Mauricio.

[Melonious Thunk]

Not knowing your budget, I can't recommend anything. But these are some audio (not AV) units for below $300. I suggest you go to Circuit City and look at their offerings. If you want high end stuff, that's another ketttle of fish.

This is one on-line retailer you might look at. Google "audio amplifier", or "audio receiver" and see what you get.

For example--

Onkyo Stereo Receiver - Black Finish - TX8222
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Onkyo Stereo Receiver - Black Finish - TX8222




Onkyo Stereo Receiver - TX8222/ 50 Watts Per Channel/ Multiroom Connection/ Automatic/Manual Tuning/ Sleep Timer/ Enhanced IPOD Compatibility/ Black Finish

In Stock / Free Shipping

$ 199.00


Onkyo Stereo Receiver, Model TX8522

While new technologies come and go, the fundamentals of competent receiver design remain constant. It is best to think of it in simple terms: a power supply, an input stage, a driver stage, and an output stage that all combine to amplify signals without any loss in quality. The current that actually drives the loudspeakers comes from a power source via the receiver’s power supply. You can never underestimate the importance of the power supply, and all other audio processing functions cannot rule over good solid amplification. This is the direction Onkyo has taken with the TX8222. Built for those people who value the benefits of time-proven amplification design, the TX8222 takes core Onkyo technology—and an array of features you’ll actually use—to bring you a no-nonsense stereo receiver that will deliver audio and radio signals with agreeable quality.

Sony STRDE197
Sony - STRDE197 Add to cart
$ 149.00

Sony Stereo Audio Receiver - STRDE197/ 100 Watts Per Channel x 2/ AM/FM Tuning With 30 Presets/ 5 Function Input Selector/ 8 Ohm Rated Amplifier/ Remote Control

Features:

[cristina]

Not knowing your budget, I can't recommend anything. But these are some audio (not AV) units for below $300. I suggest you go to Circuit City and look at their offerings. If you want high end stuff, that's another ketttle of fish.

Thank you very, very much for the list of audio units--you've helped me a lot in terms of knowing what it is I am looking for.

Now if they'd just open a Circuit City in Guadalajara...

[Wilfrid1]

I inherited a multi-component stereo system when I moved to New York. After a few years I did have to replace either the amp or the tuner/cassette player - I forget which. At the same time, I bought bigger and better speakers. I found everything in one of the larger chains - the Wiz, I think - without any problem.*

Interesting to reflect how widespread the all-in-one approach has become. Had I not inherited this system, I am sure I'd have bought something much less interesting.

*Ah, Guadalajara, yes. I forgot.