Newbie - my stereo, comments?

[nadnerb5]

Hi everyone, I'm brand spanking new to this forum and to home stereo stuff. I figured this would be a good spot to post what I just picked up for my room. I was possibly thinking about adding a sub but my amp doesn't have a sub channel... I'm pretty new to home stereo stuff, but I learn fast.

Anyhow, this is what im rocking -

Adcom GTP-400 preamp
Adcom GFA-545 II amp (100x2)
Pair of Polk LS 70 towers.

Monster cables in the rear going to the towers and Jesoteric Audio patch cables.

http://a8.cpimg.com/image/9E/D3/18418078-73fa-02000180-R.jpg

I know, they are real close together, I need to redesign my room to spread them out.

Also, I need to get a decent CD player. most of the time I have it hooked up through a headphone to RCA jack setup. Argh.

Thanks for checking it out.

[F1nut]

nadnerb,

Welcome to the forum.

Looks like you're off to a good start. As you realize, get some distance between the speakers and toe them in a little, get a new source (a sub can wait) and if i may, get your power gear off of the speakers. They don't like the vibs from the drivers, it colors the music. I think you'll soon be in audio heaven. :D

F1

BTW, is that chair a Chippendale or Queen Anne style wing back?

[nadnerb5]

I do believe it is a Queen Anne, after doing a bit of research on google. (Learn something new everyday)

I need to head to home depot and pick up some shelving stuff to make a bit of a shelve for my amp and preamp.

Do you have any recommendations as far as laptop into preamp connections go? I can't really install a new soundcard with RCA outs.

[F1nut]

Ok, I thought so.

Laptop into preamp......hmmmm, no sorry can't help you there. Is a new source (cd, sacd, dvd-a) out of the question right now? One of those will give you much better sound than a computer.

[nadnerb5]

Im pretty new to this field. Most of my current know how lies in cars (namely VWs.. haha) and building stereos for them. I felt the need to build a home stereo for all those pesky times that im not in my car. go figure huh?

What is a SACD? I have seen it mentioned around, but alas, I can't figure out what it means. Thanks again

[F1nut]

SACD is a high-rez format. Click on this link........http://www.superaudio-cd.com/. Then click on technology for all the info.

[madmax]

You should be able to get a cable to go from your laptop to the preamp. It would be a 3 conductor mini plug to two RCA jacks. The same as you would use from a walkman to your stereo. Best Buy and Radio shack should have them. Set the laptop volume low to start with incase it is too loud. On the preamp you can plug into any of the inputs except phono (if it even has a phono input).

Nice LS 70's. They seem to be somewhat rare.
madmax

[danger boy]

Welcome

[nadnerb5]

Madmax, thanks for the info on that. yeah the amp has phono, i found out the hard way that i shouldnt plug it into there. just didnt sound good. haha! so i have switched over to the CD in.

Danger Boy, thanks for that newbie GIF, im on a few VW forums and that one comes up a lot :D pretty good gif really.

Thanks for the help guys, once again

[organ]

Welcome to the forum. As I looked over the responses, no one answered your subwoofer question.

You don't need anoter amp for your subwoofer. What you were referring to in your question was a passive subwoofer. Passives require an amplifier.

When you're ready, buy a powered subwoofer. Powered subs already have their own amplifier built-in and connect the sub to the pre out on your pre-amp.

Maurice

[danger boy]

Does your preamp have a subwoofer output?

[Tour2ma]

Welcome nadnerb5... not as imaginative as dangerboy's (nice gif use there), but welcome...

Nice starter rig. The Adcom amp will always have a place in your system.

Agree you should think source first, and if you're not opposed to buying used, a nice CD player on ebay won't even run $100.

As for the sub, you can always wire a powered sub "the Polk way" in the short-term.

[TonyPTX]

Welcome to the forum Nad. If you're in the looks for a cheap stereo rack, check out the TnT Audio Flexy Rack (http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html) designs. They can be had for extremely cheap prices with a trip to Home Depot or Lowes. I'm in the process of building one and it should be done by the weekend. I plan on posting some photos once it's all together and I've got my gear on it.

Tony

[organ]

Hi danger boy,
Was that question for me or nadnerb? If it was for me, my pre-amp has a second set of outputs.

Maurice

[danger boy]

Maurice,

yes the ? was for you. so you have two LFE outputs as I understand it? That's very cool.

thanks, Al