Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

HuddieLedbetter said:
Hi team -- does anyone have any experience or opinions with the marantz tt-15s1 ? My understanding is that is is a clear audio rebuilt with different aesthetics (and no cover) and while I'm not sure about the look (it's very acrylic) it seems to cross an in between value point... Marantz TT-15S Turntable

Any thoughts?
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You are correct, it’s a rebranded Clearaudio. It’s also generally very well regarded.
 
HuddieLedbetter said:
Hi team -- does anyone have any experience or opinions with the marantz tt-15s1 ? My understanding is that is is a clear audio rebuilt with different aesthetics (and no cover) and while I'm not sure about the look (it's very acrylic) it seems to cross an in between value point... Marantz TT-15S Turntable

Any thoughts?
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My neighbor has this and loves it. I’ve been over a few times and it seems to play great but honestly we are usually not in any kind of critical listening environment.
 
HuddieLedbetter said:
Hi team -- does anyone have any experience or opinions with the marantz tt-15s1 ? My understanding is that is is a clear audio rebuilt with different aesthetics (and no cover) and while I'm not sure about the look (it's very acrylic) it seems to cross an in between value point... Marantz TT-15S Turntable

Any thoughts?
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Upscale Audio's Kevin had a dust cover specially designed for this deck. He's really really proud of it. It's an extra $199.
 
duke86fan said:
what stuff is complete snake oil
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Honestly it depends on your system. The more money you spend the more you’ll notice differences with the weird things that will seem like snake oil on all our systems. That said I have a huge amount of scepticism over cable risers, port caps and magic sprays that make everything sound better.

A good rule of thumb is that if you can understand why it makes your system sound better (better grounding, cleaner power, better shielding on cables etc etc) it’s likely to be more worthwhile than something that is blinding you with “science”.
 
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Joe Mac said:
Honestly it depends on your system. The more money you spend the more you’ll notice differences with the weird things that will seem like snake oil on all out systems. That said I have a huge amount of scepticism over cable risers, port caps and magic sprays that make everything sound better.

A good rule of thumb is that if you can understand why it makes your system sound better (better grounding, cleaner power, better shielding on cables etc etc) it’s likely to be more worthwhile than something that is blinding you with “science”.
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@duke86fan I agree with @Joe Mac totally here. Even things that do make a difference (cables come to mind) may make no audible difference with a $1k system but may become obvious on a $10k system.
 
HiFi Guy said:
@duke86fan I agree with @Joe Mac totally here. Even things that do make a difference (cables come to mind) may make no audible difference with a $1k system but may become obvious on a $10k system.
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so what cables do i buy to optimize my setup....

because i know audiophiles that will spend thousands on audioquest cables and some saying blue jeans is all you need or even just basic monoprice
 
duke86fan said:
so what cables do i buy to optimize my setup....

because i know audiophiles that will spend thousands on audioquest cables and some saying blue jeans is all you need or even just basic monoprice
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I’m fairly confident you are better off focusing on other things at this point, aside from maybe your interconnects.

I got cold-shouldered at a nice Hi-Fi shop once because I kept choosing regular speaker wire in a blind test.
 
duke86fan said:
so what cables do i buy to optimize my setup....

because i know audiophiles that will spend thousands on audioquest cables and some saying blue jeans is all you need or even just basic monoprice
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I’d avoid Monoprice like the plague. When @jaycee bought my Rogue Pharoah, he had an issue when he got it. One channel would cut out. Turns out one of his Monoprice speaker cables had a short. Just get Blue Jeans. They are fine, whether you have an inexpensive system or have jumped up a couple of levels.

My speaker cables are Analysis Plus, which I like. I hear a slight improvement on a very resolving system. With a more budget system, they aren’t going to be worth it.

Get your basics straight first- table/cartridge, speakers, phono stage and amp. Worrying about expensive cables with a budget system is like putting super unleaded in an economy car- a waste of money.
 
duke86fan said:
so what cables do i buy to optimize my setup....

because i know audiophiles that will spend thousands on audioquest cables and some saying blue jeans is all you need or even just basic monoprice
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If you enjoy the rush of an auction, you could try to win some Zu Mission cables for a reasonable price on eBay.
 
duke86fan said:
so what cables do i buy to optimize my setup....

because i know audiophiles that will spend thousands on audioquest cables and some saying blue jeans is all you need or even just basic monoprice
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for what you have blue jeans are absolutely perfect! don’t worry about going any higher for now, it’s unlikely to make an audible difference.
 
kvetcha said:
(I use inexpensive Home Depot wire and have never had any complaints)
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Honestly I was using bottom of the line QED stuff, which is just a step above the free crap you get with gear, and it was just fine. It wasn’t until I got both a better phono stage and the tube mono blocks that I went for the expensive van den hul stuff (although it’s cheap by that companys standards....). It made a difference then, I doubt it would have before .
 
HiFi Guy said:
Get your basics straight first- table/cartridge, speakers, phono stage and amp. Worrying about expensive cables with a budget system is like putting super unleaded in an economy car- a waste of money.
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i feel i got that done.. uturn with grado (will upgrade to a gold one day but i got other things planned), schiit mani, magni heresy or liquid spark
dansomeone said:
If you enjoy the rush of an auction, you could try to win some Zu Mission cables for a reasonable price on eBay.
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rush of auction is EXACTLY what i need

dont put me near a casino
 
duke86fan said:
i feel i got that done.. uturn with grado (will upgrade to a gold one day but i got other things planned), schiit mani, magni heresy or liquid spark

rush of auction is EXACTLY what i need

dont put me near a casino
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You’ve got some lovely upgrades planned and you’ll really enjoy them. You are still in blue jean cables range. Maybe one of the entry level Panamax power conditioner might be your next best bang for buck upgrade.
 
Joe Mac said:
You’ve got some lovely upgrades planned and you’ll really enjoy them. You are still in blue jean cables range. Maybe one of the entry level Panamax power conditioner might be your next best bang for buck upgrade.
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Probably after the gold and the blue jeans and the magni heresy.. never had a power conditioner before

and find out which one to use
 
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I think I already know the answer to this, but I’m going to ask anyway. Is the Schiit Loki (or any Equalizer) worth it? I was thinking about adding one to my set up to enhance the sound of my cassette player. I was talked into buying one from a friend who loves his equalizer and was wondering if it’s worth the investment?
 
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