My Stereo Setup

This is a tour and my thoughts of my current budget stereo setup.

Check out, and subscribe to these great channels:
@andrewrobinsonreviews
His review of the Sony STRDH-190:

@cheapaudioman
His review of the Sony SSCS5 Speakers:

#vinylcommunity #speakers #audio

[audioeeze]

Nice video. Back in 1979 I moved away from my parents house and eventually bought my first stereo from a pawn shop. It was the original series(brown and tan) Bose 301's and a Sansui receiver and later bought a Technics turntable. Fast forward to today, and my system is worth the cost of a new car . But I still do have great memories of my Bose 301's! Lol my neighbors hated me back then.

[lippa]

I've been using a 50 year old set up for the past 10 years. A 1974 idler wheel turntable and 1974 Sears Professional series receiver. My receiver recently died, so I'm looking into replacing it rather than a very costly restoration. All the reviews I've seen about the Sony STRDH-190 have all been 5 star and highly recommend. I think I'll pull the trigger on it and give'er a try.

[bpalpha]

Nice set up. I usually don't recommend covering the vents on top of a receiver. Make sure the dvd/cd player you have doesn't get too warm.

[Boredoldman]

Just found your channel. Glad to find content that I can relate to. I have the same Sony receiver and speakers with a Akai tape deck and an audio technica turntable. I see all these videos to where people have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars trying to achieve the perfect sound. And if that’s their thing that’s okay but I am very happy with much less. I don’t have a big collection of vinyl just what I really enjoy listening to. I do have many cassettes and CDs. Thanks for sharing this video!

[VinceC]

Nice tour of your system.

I have the Sony STR-DH190 receiver and like it. It sounds good, and the feature set fits my needs. I'm using an external phono amp and headphones amp, because the Sony's strike me as lackluster. My CD player running through this receiver sounds great. I listen to FM radio, so I appreciate the tuner. The Bluetooth is good too.

I had the Sony SS-CS5 speakers and agree that they're a great value. I also agree that they benefit from a sub. Then again, I think any 5-inch bookshelf speaker would greatly benefit from a sub.

[mrhoffame]

Thanks for the tour of your system. ....and thank you so much for your service my friend!

[_UnknownEntity]

It IS a great setip. That A/B configuration, that's the good old way of doing it, and when the speakers match up, it can sound lovely.

[mannis]

fantastic setup, researching myself to upgrade and this video helped a lot

[paulaj]

I would like to listen to your system because I bet it sounds as good as anything.. Because whatever system you build up is the best for you ?? But when you get the chance to upgrade then you might find that that is better than what I had .. maybe.. But if someone came to you home & listened to you system them would love it because it's as good as you can have in the room you have.. great video & keep enjoying your sustems.

[totalplonker]

If this was my setup and I was looking to upgrade... a pair of Steel speaker stands would have to be it.

As well as the boundary interference of nearby walls, which stifles the sound stage. Flexibility of speaker positioning takes the listening experience to the next level. The perceived perception of vocals coming from between, in front and behind, of the actual speakers can only be achieved by experimenting with speaker positioning.


Enjoyable video, btw. Cheers

[Alberta-eqjd]

This is pretty much the same setup I'm going to end up with and I think I will be very happy with it. I've been trying to decide which budget setup I wanted to go with for a few months and watched a lot of cheapaudioman. Once I managed to get the strdh190 and the sscs5 open box like new from Amazon for really good prices ($117 and $70) that decided it for me. I'm probably gonna rock with just those two for a bit, will add a cd/dvd player soonish and the turntable (most likely that same lp120 since prices have come back down to the $350 range) will be last since I have way more cds than vinyl. I'm gonna use that as my main setup in the living room and will probably have something smaller in my office for background music while I work or game.

[scottyo]

Anytime I see a "my system" video thats 30 mintues long for a simple system, I have to watch. You did a good job. Some of the comments in the comment section are laughable but good job telling your story.

[RUfromthes]

i remenber conecting to my receiver a sony smi-portable cd player, there weren´t any standart size for sale but i was admired it sounded louder and no noise but than, this being a person that enjoys a lot rock music i was hearing the guitars very in the back and i thought this must be the player it´s the first sony released but no even today it´s a steal, i never left my records or turntables but i have a lot of 90´s and more recent cds that sound ok, compared to records i had in early 70´s, who sound xpectacular like a live band playing in your room

[padmeshsethuraman]

My system costed around $1, 500. Marantz Pm6005 integrated amplifier, Monitor Audio Bx2 speakers, Audioquest speaker cable & interconnects all bought in 2015. Recently added Topping E50 DAC & WiiM Mini streamer. With Tidal hifi plus subscription it works great.

[bondgabebond]

I have that same turntable, it cost 350. One thing to watch out for is: Most of these TTs are made in China, most likely at the same factory using the same parts you find on your LP120. Don't be fooled by the name, look at the parts and you will see these TTs harken way back to the 1960. Then they were all made in Japan by Matsushita. These TTs are more like cars from General Motors, different name, slightly different styling, many common parts.
I got the Sony STRDH590 as a gift and being a cheap AV unit, it does not have a photo preamp. I have to use the TT preamp direct into the 590. I have them hooked up to Polk XT20s (bought for about $260 on sale). Nice overall sound quality. Then Sony had a sale on the 800M2 4k disk player, which came in under $300, taxes included. That is one incredible unit able to play a large verity of music discs, including FLAC.
I did buy a Polk PSW180 subwoofer at the base exchange at March ARB for $165, list is $300. I'm also a retired U.S. Air Force member. BTW, I did serve at Yokota AB, Japan where HiFi was incredible. That's when I got into CDs. I was there in the mid 80s. Best assignment ever.
As an afterthought, don't believe that Fluence paid $200 for that cartridge. They paid much less. You have to be wise when looking at systems units. Many are fooled or misled by reviewers, or it is their opinion and we know all about opinions. I wish there was a place near where I live to hear and experience the different units. All I have is YouTube and you have to take it for what it's worth.

[mikeformato]

Very informative thank you. I do have a couple questions 😊 I have an older but still good pair of JBL LX300 and do you think the Sonys would be an up or a downgrade? And I have the strdh190 also. I was wondering if you found the receivers phono preamplifier or the turntables preamplifier superior? I thank you again.

[tjveith]

Terrific video. I just purchased the same tt, receiver, and speakers. Trying them out tomorrow 👍

[andersdottir]

I bought the same turntable during 2021 at around A$500 - it’s now A$800!

[petermusto]

The trouble with your Sony Reciever is that there's no designated Subwoofer output. I returned mine to Amazon because it didn't have one.

[pennhoffert]

How did you connect your cd player to the stereo. I have a cd player that has hdmi out and a digital audio out and I’m trying to decide if I a should get hdmi to rca cable or digital audio to rca cable