Johnny Vinyl: Living the Analog(ue) Dream!

[Johnny Vinyl]

I had a gallery up last year, but due to several changes it was no longer reflective of what was there at the time. As opposed to starting a gallery, I decided to start a thread, which seems like more and more people are doing. I kind of like this idea better as it allows for much better interaction amongst the visitors to a particular thread. So here we go.

The biggest change I've made is to go back to a 2-channel setup. I know, I know, it's not a true HT setup any longer, but it still supplies me with terrific sound and video. One day I'll add the other channels and a subwoofer (which would make Big Daddy quite happy, I'm sure), and hopefully additional component pieces. For now however, my current setup will have to suffice. Don't get me wrong, I love my 2-channel setup as its music that I enjoy more than anything (90% Audio - 10% Video), but BoB in 5.1 kicks ass and I'd love to get back there one day.

So here is my setup component listing:

Amplifier: Yamaha HTR-6190B Audio/Video Receiver 7.1 - 130w/p/c.
Speakers: Totem Acoustic Sttaf Floorstanding Loudspeakers.
Blu-ray Player: Launch 60gb PS3.
CD/SA-CD Player: Oppo DV-981H
Turntable 1: Revolver Rebel Red w/ Grado Reference Platinum Cartridge.
Turntable 2: Revolver Rebel Black w/Shure M91E Cartridge
Phono Preamp: Tonar Vinyline 4189 (MM/MC)
Power Supply: Monster HTS2400
Cables: Ultralink, Audioquest, Philips

Right now I only have a few pictures that I can show you, but I will update this first post as more get added. My wool area rug has been removed, as it was creating too much dust from all of the fibers. As such, everything looks a little bare.

I don't have a fancy DSLR, so I can't get my speakers in this shot using a straight ahead approach. I use a Point-and-shoot Canon Powershot A710is.
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Speaker shot. They are actually spread out 8' apart from centre-to-centre, and I have recently adjusted them with a slight TOE-OUT position. After only a few days I am already very pleased with this trial, but will bring them back into a straight-fire position to confirm the differences I noted. This will take a few weeks believe it or not.
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Speaker shot. Just a different angle, but I think they show off the speaker slightly better. They are finished in Mahogany and their build quality is of the highest standards.
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A quick pic of my partial LP collection, and 2 media cabinets which house my CD/SA-CD/DVD and BD collection. I also love the Stevie Ray Vaughan abstract I purchased a few years ago. Please ignore the Totem Mite Rear Surround speaker. I sold this pair a few weeks ago
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A closer shot of my LP cabinet which houses about 600 pieces of black gold. I don't have room to display all of my collection, and indeed most of it is stored. No worries though as I have enough here and elsewhere in my apartment to keep me satisfied.
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I can tell you from personal experience that the auditory experience with this setup is absolutely fantastic. It is far from being even close to a reference or high-quality system, but it does show that with a little care and research one can have a superbly sounding setup for not a whole lot of dollars.

I hope you have enjoyed a little look at my personal space and please feel free to make any comments.

Sincerely,

John

[MikeDaWiz]

You do what you gotta do right? Besides, a 2 channel set up isnt all that bad. Most of the Channels on my cable box only provide audio for 2.1 channel with the exception of the hd channels and some of the main premium channels. You will still enjoy the sound quality you get from just two speakers rather then the tv speakers.

Good Luck With the future of your set-up. Ill be sure to follow this thread!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by MikeDaWiz

You do what you gotta do right? Besides, a 2 channel set up isnt all that bad. Most of the Channels on my cable box only provide audio for 2.1 channel with the exception of the hd channels and some of the main premium channels. You will still enjoy the sound quality you get from just two speakers rather then the tv speakers.

Good Luck With the future of your set-up. Ill be sure to follow this thread!

I've had a 2-channel setup since the mid-70's, so I know exactly what you mean! And most of my listening is done from vinyl anyway! It's all good!

John

[garlad]

Hey John, looks great! Nice and clean! But where is my wallchart?!

That is quite the vinyl collection you have! The speakers are gorgeous, so elegant.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by garlad

Hey John, looks great! Nice and clean! But where is my wallchart?!

That is quite the vinyl collection you have! The speakers are gorgeous, so elegant.

Thanks Gar! The wallchart is in my kitchen, next to my computer setup! I'll see if I can't take a pic of it!

The speakers are great. I've had them for a while and I am still in awe of their performance. You gotta hear Tubular Bells on these puppies!

John

PS~ Nice progress on the EPL Fantasy this week buddy!

[garlad]

Originally Posted by John72953

Thanks Gar! The wallchart is in my kitchen, next to my computer setup! I'll see if I can't take a pic of it!

The speakers are great. I've had them for a while and I am still in awe of their performance. You gotta hear Tubular Bells on these puppies!

John

PS~ Nice progress on the EPL Fantasy this week buddy!

Yeah I had a good week alright, I needed it after a very poor start! Embarrassing!! Quirkmanly is running away with it!

I havent taken any photos of my setup because I guess it isnt a home theatre (I don’t even have surround sound!) I am waiting to move out/buy my own place before I go down that road. I'm lucky in that the room I use is rarely used by my parents so I consider it "my space" but I only have my TV, PS3 and Sky HD box in there.. Looking forward to the day when I get get nice speakers like yours! Might take a snap or two anyway and upload them. Love my tv

I know I am missing out greatly on high definition audio by not having surround sound, so I will definitely upgrade one day!

[crazyBLUE]

John ~ You know what I think about you're setup !
Those Totems are Beautiful & I am sure sound As good as they look .
There is nothing wrong with 2 channel , I find myself neglecting my Blu's more so now than ever before Dang CD player
Look forward for all the interaction within you're thread !

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

John ~ You know what I think about you're setup !
Those Totems are Beautiful & I am sure sound As good as they look .
There is nothing wrong with 2 channel , I find myself neglecting my Blu's more so now than ever before Dang CD player
Look forward for all the interaction within you're thread !

Thanks Brent! Your encouragement and positive attitude is always a very refreshing thing to read about! I love my 2-channel setup, because my music is most important. Thanks again buddy!

John

PS~ Been compiling some stuff and just added some Tom Petty, JJ Cale and John Mayer into the mix.

[garlad]

Now im confused..

Is 2.1 simply when you have 2 speakers? Like John's set up? And 7.1 is seven speakers? (surround sound?) So if you had seven speakers and blu ray only offered 5.1 surround sound would that mean that only 5 of you speakers would work?

[Johnny Vinyl]

My setup is 2.0 because I don't use a sub to make it 2.1.

If you have a 7.1 speaker setup, but the movie is in 5.1 you can still hear it across all 7 channels if you tell your AVR (receiver) to do so. It's called matrixing. That's the simple answer.

John

[Opips2]

Hello, John

I agree with you. It's best 2-channel sound good but add a sub. it's big different sound.

Hi Fi component, it's big towner floorstanding has in subwoofer.

As for example





Not this normal floorstanding speaker without in subwoofer.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Opips2

Hello, John

I agree with you. It's best 2-channel sound good but add a sub. it's big different sound.

Hi Opi! Eventually I'll start adding things to my system and a subwoofer will certainly be included as well. For now however, my 2 Totem Sttafs will have to suffice. I can tell you that they aren't shy in the bass department and perform quite well in the lower frequancies.

John

[Hammie]

Looks good, John.

I know you said your Totems are doing a stand up job in a 2.0 scenario, but it's amazing the difference a sub will bring to various music.

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Opi! Eventually I'll start adding things to my system and a subwoofer will certainly be included as well. For now however, my 2 Totem Sttafs will have to suffice. I can tell you that they aren't shy in the bass department and perform quite well in the lower frequancies.

John

you need have high frequancy, mid-range and low frequancy are all best sound.

I bought Axiom 80 v2 floorstanding has have three different frequancies and don't need add a subwoofer.

Axiom 80 v2 floorstanding are wonderful speaker!
I was surpirsed...don't need my subwoofer eD subwoofer.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Looks good, John.

I know you said your Totems are doing a stand up job in a 2.0 scenario, but it's amazing the difference a sub will bring to various music.

One day I'll try it. Have never heard 2.1 audio with vinyl.

John

[D]

John, Fantastic System my friend! You know how I feel about 2 channel buddy! And your setup is great pal! I am a huge fan of Totem loudspeakers, and the Staff's are one of my favorite. Do you have Bella Fleck's Flight of The Cosmic Hippo? That sounds amazing on the Totems! I'll be sure to visit often pal! D.

[doctorD]

Loving the vinyl which tells me you are either an audiophile or oldschool or both

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by db01

John, Fantastic System my friend! You know how I feel about 2 channel buddy! And your setup is great pal! I am a huge fan of Totem loudspeakers, and the Staff's are one of my favorite. Do you have Bella Fleck's Flight of The Cosmic Hippo? That sounds amazing on the Totems! I'll be sure to visit often pal! D.

Thx db! I must get that album then as I don't have it. I've added it my list for when I next go on a vinyl hunt!

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by doctorD

Loving the vinyl which tells me you are either an audiophile or oldschool or both

I'm both I suppose. Started collecting back in 1967, when I bought my first LP.....Beatles '65. As you can see (partially anyway) I haven't stopped purchasing vinyl. I guess you can also say I'm somewhat of an audiophile, although I have a difficult time understanding what that really means. If it's a love for music then I'm certainly an audiophile. My system today isn't nearly of the audiophile standard it once was, but I don't think that should be a distraction.

John

[D]

Originally Posted by John72953

Thx db! I must get that album then as I don't have it. I've added it my list for when I next go on a vinyl hunt!

John

You bet John, and there is Casandra Wilson, on Blue Note records, that will just soothe the soul! If you don't already have any of her music.