Zephyre Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) Hey Forum, I am seeking some advice about my current stereo system - with the aim of slowly improving it. I am on a student's budget - so am after 'good value' solutions Current set-up: Technics SU-V90D Amp - I really love this thing. Big, bright and spacious sound. Technics SL-5 Turntable - with Ortofon 320 cartridge. Tannoy Mercury F4 Custom Speakers. AppleTV - optical to amp via TV. Google Chromecast - optical to amp via TV. I have a growing vinyl collection with strong classical/opera leanings. I have subscribed to Google Music All Access - and probably listen to this the most. CDs seem never to emerge from storage - all ripped to iTunes using Apple Lossless. My thoughts are that a good next step would be a new DAC. The SU-V90D has a 4 DAC 18 bit high resolution system - which may be a bit dated? Looking at the Schiit Bifrost. Would I notice an improvement in sound when listening to Google Music? Cheers, Rob Edited March 30, 2014 by Zephyre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briz Vegas Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 Do you wanna start with an uninformed opinion. I have not heard any of your gear, but i have done many upgrades. If you have good synergy between your components then stick with what you have. At any price point, but particularly budget gear, you may not gain by installing the latest and greatest. You may find that the characteristics you like are dulled, maybe replaced by more refinement and a more balanced sound, but its not necessarily better. There is value in exuberance, its why I liked my NAD AV713 Also, you are streaming MP3. The service says "up to 320kbps' (not far from CD) but you might not be getting that. You also have a complex digital path to the DAC. There are students and there are students but I would hold off on the DAC, unless you have a problem with the current digital sound or you can hear one at home to evaluate it properly. Replace the bald tyres on the "mirth mobile" instead (maybe not literally, but you get my drift, the DAC might not be good VFM). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 zephyr for those of us not ever heard any of the equipment let alone the entire system working together its very hard to just jump to replacing /upgrading one component a growing vinyl collection might point to a better vinyl front end....re the dac, I dont subscribe to the latest and greatest dacs trump all brigade...plenty of older dacs theres really nothing wrong with. the best thing can do is find a helpfull retailer, see if can check out some newer gear in areas looking for improvements. also keep in mind the forum as a resource beyond the internet. hold a gtg invite a few over, see what they think. let them bring along any gear they might think might bring some gains...might be suprised at the end results...could be enlightening one way or the other 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chill3 Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 Ok simple but cheap, get and airport express for music, better than ATV bit perfict and no resampling to 16/48 $100 well spent I have not heard the technics but own the Bifrost which is very good IMO Vinyl could in prove the TT in my view, lots of options perhaps stalk on HiFiDo ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 You guys are too sensible. I wanted someone to say jettison x and buy y lol Briz Vegas - exuberant is how I would describe my Technics Amp I have listened carefully to the same tracks via the Chromecast vs the AppleTV - and perhaps there is some marginal gain in warmness via the AppleTV. I am concerned about the complex digital path now - can the digital signal deteriorate running from AppleTV --> TV ---> Amp? The car does need a service lol : al - OK I will stop obsessing about a DAC for a while! I might re-focus on the vinyl - any Technics gear that would be considered a step up? It would be great to have better attuned ears listening to the gear - anyone from Townsville on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 Thanks Chill3 I am going to research the differences between the AppleTV and Airport Express now - I thought I was an apple geek - but didn't know there was a difference Might lead to a marked improvement over the Chromecast.... Will explore HiFiDo too. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxspl Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 The technics SL 5 is a good direct drive linear tracker , it is not the weak link in your system . Perhaps a better cartridge if looking for an upgrade. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted March 30, 2014 Author Share Posted March 30, 2014 Hey MarkT - thanks for the reply Any recommendations for a new cartridge for the SL 5? It's a very cool looking turntable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxspl Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 The ortofon OM range of p mounts work well.....OMP10,20,30 or 40 depending on budget. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danter Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 The amp is a monster and well regarded. But the internal dac would have been surpassed many times over. If you can bypass the internal dac and run straight to the power section of the amp, fed off an external dac (heaps of options -Shiit being just one, Audio GD another for excellent value for money). Can avoid a pre amp if you volume attenuation via the AppleTV (or express) - I've never used one) - or even a dac/pre combo of which I've had some great Audio GD product. Fed by the express then all you have to worry about is the speakers! Ive only heard one pair of Tannoy Mercury's (cant recall the model) and found them to under whelming so I have a bias toward the Mercury series. But budget dictates - Something like an Audio GD NFB28 and the Express as mentioned above. Keep an eye out in the classifieds here as a lot of people like to turn over a lot of gear quickly, so there are bargains to be had. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophool Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I suggest you contact Keith "Cheekyboy" and arrange a loan of a GSP Communicator phono pre. Might be an ear opener. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafad Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 It's a monster alright, I just found the stats http://audio-database.com/TechnicsPanasonic/amp/su-v90d-e.html and they are very impressive. If it were mine I think I'd look at giving it some TLC (service and recapping) rather than looking for a replacement. Would anyone know what DAC chips it uses? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Thanks for the advice - much appreciated! It's great to hear some positive talk about the Technics Amp - I think that, as it's my first real Amp, I keep wondering whether the grass is greener Danter: The amp has a 'Power Amp Direct' mode - for which you can select a digital or analogue source. So finding a Audio GD NFB28 might be a real option for me - outputs from the Audio GD NFB28 straight into the analogue slots of the Technics Power Amp Direct? Yes? Since Chill3 enlightened me regarding the AppleTV sound quality - I have sold it - and am setting up a second hand Mac Mini - that will serve iTunes via optical to - potentially the Audio GD NFB28. And I have started actively reading the classifieds - which generally starts out with me wondering what a given piece of equipment for sale actually does - and looking up from Google some hours later! I am currently googling volume attenuation lol I have had the Mercury F4 Custom Speakers for about two years now - and they were a step up from my old Studiocraft Bose - but whilst they are large - I suspect I could have found a fuller/more complex sound from a smaller speaker. I was influenced greatly by WhatHiFi's review: http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Tannoy-Mercury-F4-Custom/ Ophool: I am reading up on the GSP Communicator phono pre. Would I use one of these to bypass the Technics phono stage? Cafad: I would love to know more about the DAC chips Technics used too. I have the Technics SU-V90D service manual - and the 4 x DACs are part # PCM56P-J - so are they Burr Brown?: http://pdf.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheets/105/37425_DS.pdf Thanks for the encouragement and advice all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shailesh Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Speakers are great (nicely balanced last time I heard them) and amp seems very good (haven't personally heard one). So would focus on a decent front end. Squeezebox and dac come to mind. Or a new cartridge like a grade gold. Hope this helps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaramazov Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 It's a monster alright, I just found the stats http://audio-database.com/TechnicsPanasonic/amp/su-v90d-e.html and they are very impressive. If it were mine I think I'd look at giving it some TLC (service and recapping) rather than looking for a replacement. Would anyone know what DAC chips it uses? Love those early "Class AA" Technics amps, I agree with Cafad. In terms of a turntable, really great to see another Technics linear deck user. The SL7 / SL10 / SL15 are the next step up in the series and are all serious decks. They would also shine with a higher end stylus / cartridge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophool Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Ophool: I am reading up on the GSP Communicator phono pre. Would I use one of these to bypass the Technics phono stage? Yes, that is the idea, plug its outputs into one of the line-level inputs on the amp. Will only cost you postage to give it a try and you might be pleasantly surprised at the results. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danter Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Volume attenuation. Just another way of saying how to control the volume (in this case when there is no volume control, as is the case on a lot of dacs). You will hear people use the term 'gain' as well in reference to volume, usually describing how much volume and in what increments it increases (or attenuates - ha!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 (edited) Thanks everyone for the advice – a really supportive forum! The way I see it at the moment – I will focus on three aspects of the current setup: 1. Find a decent DAC (presuming the Power Amp Direct feature of the Amp actually bypasses the onboard DAC...) The Audio GD NFB28 sounds ideal – but is currently out of my price range. Would like to keep it under $500. Any advice on other Audio GD models? Or this one on eBay looks interesting: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221409844004?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 2. Explore the GSP Communicator phono pre – thanks Ophool. 3. Check out upgrading the Technics Turntable to a SL7 / SL10 / SL15 – thanks Mkaramazov – and potentially the cartridge – thanks Shailesh. What’s a reasonable price for a SL10? This one is on eBay for $400: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181376329574?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 And is there a buzzing/humming issue with the Grado cartridges in all the Technics linear turntables? Might explore the ortofon OM series as suggested by MarkT. Thanks also for the attenuation lesson Danter! AND – I would love to have the Amp serviced. I don’t mind paying for shipping to get it done properly. Any leads? Edited April 11, 2014 by Zephyre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkaramazov Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 3. Check out upgrading the Technics Turntable to a SL7 / SL10 / SL15 – thanks Mkaramazov – and potentially the cartridge – thanks Shailesh. What’s a reasonable price for a SL10? This one is on eBay for $400: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181376329574?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 That SL10 is reasonable given current inflating prices, however I am fairly sure that isn't the Technics 310MC cartridge under the hood! You would want to be certain it works, as they are fiddly to repair. On cartridges, check out this old thread: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/35435-technics-sl7-what-cartridge/ You may also want to check out SNA member Morris Minor's p-mount cartridge site: http://p-mount.net/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danter Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 (edited) Not sure where you are, but if in Sydney Skippy (John) or Pete Mac are your got-to men for a service. Or Zaphod (Trevor)'of course! Why we have silly handles on forums - seems very 'dungeons & dragons' geek. There is a PS Audio Digital Link III with Cullen mods in the Classifieds for $550. This would a be great option dac. Edited April 11, 2014 by danter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 That SL10 is reasonable given current inflating prices, however I am fairly sure that isn't the Technics 310MC cartridge under the hood! You would want to be certain it works, as they are fiddly to repair. On cartridges, check out this old thread: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/35435-technics-sl7-what-cartridge/ You may also want to check out SNA member Morris Minor's p-mount cartridge site: http://p-mount.net/ Thanks again Mkaramazov - I have joined the p-mount site - and will enjoy listening! And I will ask a few questions about the SL10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyre Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Not sure where you are, but if in Sydney Skippy (John) or Pete Mac are your got-to men for a service. Or Zaphod (Trevor)'of course! Why we have silly handles on forums - seems very 'dungeons & dragons' geek. There is a PS Audio Digital Link III with Cullen mods in the Classifieds for $550. This would a be great option dac. Thanks Danter! I am in Townsville - but would be very happy to ship the amp to someone who will look after it! Which of them will appreciate the Technics the most? I missed out on the Beresford Gatorized Caiman (trying to dip my toe in at the cheap end). I'll read up on the PS Audio Digital Link III - thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig f Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Sorry to be boring but invariably the week link is your room. Very boring but the best way to improve the sound of any system is to improve the room. Cheers, Craig. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg_E Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Hi Zephyre, I have an old Technics SL5 Direct Drive. Nice sound, but they're a bugger if you don't want to listen to every track on one side - cueing is impossible. Good luck, Greg Check out upgrading the Technics Turntable to a SL7 / SL10 / SL15 – thanks Mkaramazov – and potentially the cartridge – thanks Shailesh. What’s a reasonable price for a SL10? This one is on eBay for $400: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181376329574?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoyAstro Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 (edited) If you're looking for a nice cheap DAC, I can recommend the HRT Microstreamer at around $200. The Schitt Bifrost you were originally looking at is very well reviewed, you could leave out the USB input and run it via optical from your Mac Mini. (I havn't heard it though) Edited April 20, 2014 by BoyAstro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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