Ok, how does one find out what amps are out there and what not? (I know a bit vague)

BlueFox said:
Exactomundo. Do your homework.
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Absolutely! I take that to the extreme and for anything $100 or more. I'm no stranger to it, I'll research as long as it takes...Currently I've been researching AV Receivers for 2 months or so and still going. I have spent 6 months researching something before. Ironically the most brutal research and saving I ever did was for my speakers. I spent only about 5 months researching (1.4 years saving), but it was about an hour per day, almost everyday for 3 months and then 6 to 8 hours a day on weekends auditioning plus an hour after work 2 days a week for another 2 months. I'll never do that again, it was far too brutal. However, that's speakers and they are harder to shop for than any other component.
 
MusicDirector said:
Yes, I saw the "Recommended products", but did not think that was the buyers guide..good start though. If the guide isn't expensive ($20+) then it may be worth getting one. I'll check the news stands or what not.

I'll get around to asking about specifc products when I land on them.
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The Stereophile's audio bible (Collector's Edition - Editor's Top Picks for the last 10 years) is only $8.99 (+12% tax here in Canada), so in the US I assume it is less @ perhaps $6.99 (no tax). ... 200 +/- pages.

Eric, you have the links to order the one you want, and the price is mentioned in them links.

Love is in the air, enjoy the music.:heart::audiophile:

___________

The Abso!ute Sound has a Buyer's Guide as well. ... Annual Editor's Choice Awards

And Stereophile Collector's Edition 10 Years Recommended Components (1,500+ top products) is thee best, IMHO.
- Stereophile Buyer's Guide (5,000+ audio products) is only the audio products with specs and prices (no brief reviews, no Class rating, and no links to the full review like in the Collector's Edition above).

P.S. I didn't know about the Marantz SR7009, thanx! ... That's why then the 7007 is on sale right now, here.
* 7007 (double 007 - James Bond). ;) ...And they skipped 008 (KIA).
 
NorthStar said:
The Stereophile's audio bible (Collector's Edition - Editor's Top Picks for the last 10 years) is only $8.99 (+12% tax here in Canada), so in the US I assume it is less @ perhaps $6.99 (no tax). ... 200 +/- pages.

Eric, you have the links to order the one you want, and the price is mentioned in them links.

Love is in the air, enjoy the music.:heart::audiophile:

___________

The Abso!ute Sound has a Buyer's Guide as well. ... Annual Editor's Choice Awards

And Stereophile Collector's Edition 10 Years Recommended Components (1,500+ top products) is thee best, IMHO.
- Stereophile Buyer's Guide (5,000+ audio products) is only the audio products with specs and prices (no brief reviews, no Class rating, and no links to the full review like in the Collector's Edition above).

P.S. I didn't know about the Marantz SR7009, thanx! ... That's why then the 7007 is on sale right now, here.
* 7007 (double 007 - James Bond). ;) ...And they skipped 008 (KIA).
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Well, I see it's available for download (no thank you) and on the racks at major bookstores. Surprisingly not available through Amazon and the Barns and Nobles and Borders are gone. They closed them all up in my state.
However, I just found a phone number to Stereophile and I can order it from them! Had to really scrub for that one!
The Marantz SR7009 is the new one and it's an 11.1 receiver (The 7007 is 9.2). (I don't need anything over 5.1, but the extra 6. can be diverted to my needs). My current Onkyo TXR705 is a 7.1 receiver, but it's design does not divert unused power except in the case of Zones. Of course, if I understand correctly the circuitry on the Marantz (more discrete, current feedback, grounded digital, etc) for example is entirely different than my Onkyo.
 
Vewy nice! ...And the 7007 (7.2) is $900 in the US (50% off; just like I said).
...In Canada it is $999 brand new and comes with a 3-year warranty.

And lo and behold, the 7008 (9.2) with XT32, plus two more power amps and a true 11.2-channel receiver (pre outs for all). :cool:
And it does not cost like a Krell receiver (do they make one?). ...I think their most inexpensive SSP (amp less) is the Foundation @ $6,500 (sans amplification).
 
NorthStar said:
Vewy nice! ...And the 7007 (7.2) is $900 in the US (50% off; just like I said).
...In Canada it is $999 brand new and comes with a 3-year warranty.

And lo and behold, the 7008 (9.2) with XT32, plus two more power amps and a true 11.2-channel receiver (pre outs for all). :cool:
And it does not cost like a Krell receiver (do they make one?). ...I think their most inexpensive SSP (amp less) is the Foundation @ $6,500 (sans amplification).
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The low prices in the US are for "refurbished" models of which I have no interest in.
I also had the wrong model number with the 7009, it is the 7008. I don't know where I got 7009 from.
 
It is easy to get caught up in endless investigations, and self imposed constraints won't make things much easier. The Audiogon can be a great way to buy and sell gear allowing you to actually try and experience different gear without too much financial risk. Lots of good folks here will give reasonable advice, and yes it is true many have megabuck systems but that is frequently the result of decades in this hobby/passion. But to you that translates to decades of knowledge most are happy to share.
 
Wow! $12 for the Stereophile buyers guide. Not a terrible price in general, but for me it would be a waste because I'd skim through it once (doubtful I'd find anything of interest) and toss it out. $6.99 for the digital version, but I can't do the digital version.
Back to the drawing board for me. I think I'll stick with not knowing. I don't really need to know, I was just curious about finding reasonable priced I'll call it "upper-end gear" just to see if it existed. It does, but it's extremely rare.
 
MusicDirector said:
Wow! $12 for the Stereophile buyers guide. Not a terrible price in general, but for me it would be a waste because I'd skim through it once (doubtful I'd find anything of interest) and toss it out. $6.99 for the digital version, but I can't do the digital version.
Back to the drawing board for me. I think I'll stick with not knowing. I don't really need to know, I was just curious about finding reasonable priced I'll call it "upper-end gear" just to see if it existed. It does, but it's extremely rare.
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Eric,

Everyone in this thread has offered you good suggestions yet you shoot every one of them down. What gives?

I'm not aware of any method of osmosis that this stuff can be instantly and completely learned with or without cost.

I think the bottom line regarding the journey to enlightenment in this hobby (just like any hobby....biking, fly fishing, stamp collecting, wood working, etc.) is one of actual practice and doing rather than just expecting to be an expert because you want to. That same effort/education may well cost a few dollars in order to purchase the tools of the trade, instructions, or review/text material.
 
MusicDirector said:
Ok, I know this may be somewhat vague, but I'd like to know where one looks to find out what amps and other such audio is out there. I mean how does one hear of the names like Classe and Tenor and emotiva and all the rest so that one can read about and look at them? Is there a published list or something or does one have to be an official equipment tester or just "in the know" somehow or whatever just to know the names?
For instance, say I need to get an amp for my receiver, I'd like to look at everything to give more chances of finding something as opposed to only having 3 or 4 makes to look at or something.
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The big print mags normally have an amp edition each year with pretty exhaustive lists.
 
MikeCh said:
Eric,

Everyone in this thread has offered you good suggestions yet you shoot every one of them down. What gives?

I'm not aware of any method of osmosis that this stuff can be instantly and completely learned with or without cost.

I think the bottom line regarding the journey to enlightenment in this hobby (just like any hobby....biking, fly fishing, stamp collecting, wood working, etc.) is one of actual practice and doing rather than just expecting to be an expert because you want to. That same effort/education may well cost a few dollars in order to purchase the tools of the trade, instructions, or review/text material.
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I'm not willing to purchase an e-reader just to skim a magazine. I much prefer actual books. I don't have the required income to fully support this so-called hobby. I just realize that with the economy the way it is now that even reading and thinking is getting too expensive I guess. I'm going to stick with just learning what I need to know and finishing my project, then it's strictly music after that. I'm not into gear at all. All I want to do is find the best I can for my needs within my financial ability and I've seen the rare high-end item for the reasonable dollar once or twice, but it always turns out that I don't need that particular item. That got me to thinking there may be more out there. I also just wanted to have a list of the names of all the makes and I could look up from there. I've come to realize that it's a need-to-know thing and I'm not cleared to know. If I was a dealer or official reviewer like most everyone else here, it would be a different game.
No big deal, like I said I'm better off not knowing in the long run and sticking with asking specifics about gear I need to get or what have you. I think that is more important then just looking at a bunch of gear I would not need or be able to afford, hoping to find something.

~Eric
 
You have the internet! It is the greatest tool for the gathering of information available to anyone, clearance doesn't come into it, judgement may though. You can also ask of others experience once you have found something that looks of value to you,but, at the end of the journey, yours is the final decision that started it all. ;) Chin up Eric, we're here to help if we can.
 
Yep, Kev is right; the Internet is the bible of information.

Eric, just google Best Value Amps Under $1,000 or whatever your budget is. Start with that, and eventually you'll have all those amps available like from Emotiva, Rotel, NAD, Sonic Impact, Rogue Audio, Quicksilver Mini Mono, Onkyo, Integra, Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, Outlaw Audio, Sherbourn, Audio Refinement, NuForce, MiniWatt, Jolida Glass, Vincent Audio, Harman Kardon, Shanling, Rega, Peachtree Audio, Music Hall, Cambridge Audio, Audio Analogue, Cyrus, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Parasound, Belles, Odyssey Audio, etc.

Audio Sites:
- Audioholics
- Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
- Sound & Vision
- The Abso!ute Sound
- Stereophile
- Hi-Fi+
- AVS
- AVF
- The Sensible Sound
- Audio Ideas Guide
- The Inner Ear Report
...
 
Penthouse-D said:
After post # 21, I just want to know what speakers he finally bought....
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Ok, I'll risk it and tell: I landed with Paradigm Studio 100s v5. Some folks don't like them for their ears and some do. I'm one who likes them of course. I lost count of the number of speakers I auditioned before landing on these, but it was too many. They were very expensive for me.
 
sharkmouth said:
You have the internet! It is the greatest tool for the gathering of information available to anyone, clearance doesn't come into it, judgement may though. You can also ask of others experience once you have found something that looks of value to you,but, at the end of the journey, yours is the final decision that started it all. ;) Chin up Eric, we're here to help if we can.
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Yes, this is what I'm sticking with, thanks.
 
NorthStar said:
Yep, Kev is right; the Internet is the bible of information.

Eric, just google Best Value Amps Under $1,000 or whatever your budget is. Start with that, and eventually you'll have all those amps available like from Emotiva, Rotel, NAD, Sonic Impact, Rogue Audio, Quicksilver Mini Mono, Onkyo, Integra, Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, Outlaw Audio, Sherbourn, Audio Refinement, NuForce, MiniWatt, Jolida Glass, Vincent Audio, Harman Kardon, Shanling, Rega, Peachtree Audio, Music Hall, Cambridge Audio, Audio Analogue, Cyrus, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Parasound, Belles, Odyssey Audio, etc.

Audio Sites:
- Audioholics
- Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
- Sound & Vision
- The Abso!ute Sound
- Stereophile
- Hi-Fi+
- AVS
- AVF
- The Sensible Sound
- Audio Ideas Guide
- The Inner Ear Report
...
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Exactly and then come here and ask away!:) Holy cow Bob! Look at that right there, you just gave me a large list of makes I've never heard of until now: Sonic Impact, Rogue Audio, Quicksilver, Sherbourn, Audio Refinement, Miniwatt, Jolida Glass, Vincent Audio, Shanling, Audio Analogue, Cyrus, Belles & Odyssey Audio. That will keep me busy. That's what I'm talking about. I'm hoping I get results from Google like that when I put in the suggestions you mention. I've done similar before and all I seem to get is ads for Best Buy and the usual 4 big brand names of low to mid-fi stuff (Marantz being the exception). I'm going to give it another go though.
~Eric
 
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