Hi everyone!

I’m a Master’s student in Product Development, conducting research for my master’s thesis on circular design and the repairability of consumer electronics, with a focus on hi-fi equipment such as amplifiers.

I’m looking for people who use hi-fi audio equipment, regardless of their technical knowledge or previous repair experience.

Whether you repair your own equipment or have never attempted a repair, your perspective would be very valuable to my research.

Thank you for your time and contribution!! :)

Survey link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOF1ACzZeIdLZ-vHgwHnAAyzQgS55B48F05K_VNGoGdTRcqg/viewform?usp=preview

Bought my house back in 2024 aged 31, a little late to the party compared to some of my peers, but I live alone so it took a bit extra getting everything in order.

I wanted to do something quite different from the norm for the living room so did this 1970s mcm inspired. I have owned lots of these components while living with my parents, but feel that I could properly display everything in my own house.

I love all this stuff, especially 1970s Marantz and Sansui, but at heart I am the ultimate Bang & Oulfsen fan boy. My spare bedroom has just become a dedicated listening space for some of my B&O collection. Even the living room can't escape all that though and do have a Beovision TV here along with the Beolab 2 Subwoofer and Beolab floor floor speakers near the Sofa. Its a great setup for movie watching. Think that TV system and speakers system would have cost the previous owner just shy of about £13 grand back in 2015. I got the whole lot for less than £400.

Is it worth it $27

I currently have 2 Klipsch 8000F II & a WiiM Amp Ultra - but admittedly not crazy about their size and lack of portability around the house

Would I be disappointed switching to 2 JBL Partybox 710s, 520s, 320s, or 120s?

The 8000F get very loud which I like, but it’s not like they don’t cause slight listening fatigue at higher volumes like the partyboxes do (I love my bose flex and soundlink max, they just don’t get loud enough)

-knowing i love the smaller bose, would I be better off with 2 Bose S1 Pro+ portable PAs?

I set up my Zero 100a/dl-103r up on a seldom used turntable section on a 1972 Accuphase C-200 preamp (P-20 amp). Using a Denon step
Up transformer to convert signal from mc to mm. I set C-200 phono to 47 ohm.

I can’t believe my ears. The cleanest phono section I’ve ever heard. Spectacular detail. I believe it’s superior to the tube section on my
AR sp9.

Hard to believe that an antique audio preamp can be so relevant. Recapped the four main caps in the amp. Tremendous power for a 70 wpc amp. 50 year old turntable to boot

Think Accuphase makes fine equipment.

Hi

I want to create a set-up to upgrade my movienights and occasionally listen to music. I've been browsing for a while now and now I'm looking at this set-up:

Amp: Denon DRA-900H

Left right speakers: DALI OBERON 3

Active sub: Polk Audio XT12 Subwoofer

Especially curious if the speakers are a good fit. I'm familiar with Denon, but speakers brands are new for me.

I don't want a surround set up. Stereo is all I need.

The price range is around 1500,- max for the whole set-up. Any advice welcome!

Indiana Line mi ha risposto alla mail nella quale indicavo il problema, e mi hanno detto che stanno lavorando alla progettazione di stand dedicati. Questo mi fa pensare che il problema non dipenda dalla mia stanza da ascolto, ma dalla posizione “standard” delle casse.

“Dear Lorenzo,
Thank you for your e-mail.
We do get these kind of inquiries from customers, that is why we are developing the stand for Utah 5 and Utah 8, however it is not yet available.
Please observe us on social media as we will share this information once it is available!
Best Regards,
Indiana Line Team.”

Looking for the best bang for buck PASSIVE speakers for my Rega Planar 3.

No price range for the speakers, but I won't be overpaying for hype..

AMP, I'd like to keep under 500€ though.

I've looked into the Klipsche, but heard they're sound isn't really ideal for crystal clear sound and CLASSICAL music.

So something that can HIGHLIGHT the beauty of the instruments and really raise the music alive would be perfect.

The setup would be a Samsung eARC HDMI tv (no optical out - just a single out afaik) -> New Device -> two outputs
1. Sonos Ultra eARC
2. Oticon TV Adapter 3.0 (a hearing aid thing) optical

As far as I can find with layman eyes, the referenced device in the title is the only one with simultaneous outputs. The equipment would always be plugged in. And sometimes a user will only listen on hearing aids, sometimes users will listen on both hearing aids and sonos, and sometimes only on sonos. But because it's always 'in the middle' regardless of use case, I think I need a device that does true pass through of the HDMI eARC (Dolby Atmos say) to the soundbar, AND simultaneously just Dolby Digital or Stereo to the Oticon.

Any alternatives? Just rare case?

So here's my problem : When I plug my phone into my amp and I play any music, if I try to increase the volume whether directly on my phone or via the amp I can't make it as loud as I would like it. The amp makes a little click noise and shuts the music off until the volume is lowered.

Btw, the amp I'm using is a marantz ki signature pm7200 paired with jm-lab tantal 520s.

I just got it fixed two weeks ago after it stopped working and wouldn't even turn on. But I distinctly remember the maximal volume being much higher before I got it fixed.

Does anyone know why the amp's just turning off? And what I should do? (Maybe go back to the guy who fixed it)

I'm looking for some advice on my current Hi-Fi setup because, after spending quite a bit upgrading my equipment, I'm honestly pretty underwhelmed with the sound.

My Previous Setup:

• Rega Planar 3 Turntable
• Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier
• Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 Speakers
• B&W Subwoofer

My Current Setup:

• McIntosh MT5 Turntable
• McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amplifier
• Sumiko Amethyst Cartridge
• KEF LS50 Speakers

Budget for Improvements: $5,000

Here's my issue: My previous setup sounded incredible to me. Vocals felt incredibly realistic, almost as if the singer were standing in the room. The sound was detailed, full, rich, and engaging. I could sit and listen to records for hours.

After upgrading to the McIntosh equipment and KEF speakers, I feel like I've actually taken a step backward.

The best way I can describe the new sound is flat, lacking depth, and just average. The vocals don't have that same lifelike presence, and the music doesn't feel as full or immersive as it used to.

Both systems have been used in the same room, so the listening environment hasn't changed significantly.

I know the McIntosh equipment is highly regarded, which makes this even more frustrating. I expected a noticeable improvement, but I genuinely preferred the sound of my much less expensive setup.

A few questions for the community:

1. Could the KEF LS50 speakers be the weak link in this setup? Would something like the KEF R3 Meta or going back to B&W make a noticeable difference?
2. Could the MA252 simply not be the right amplifier for the sound I'm looking for?
3. Would adding an external phono preamp make a meaningful difference?
4. Could speaker placement, cables, or cartridge setup be contributing to the lack of depth and realism?
5. If you had $5,000 to improve this system, where would you start?

I'm not necessarily looking for the most analytical or technically perfect sound. I want that emotional, realistic, room-filling experience where vocals sound alive and the music pulls you in.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions, especially from anyone who has experience with McIntosh, KEF, or similar setups.

As good as it gets for budget bucks

I read often about people who changed amps, speakers, turntables, etc. How do people go about this in the USA? Do you try to sell the item that is going away and spring for the new item after a successful sale? Do they buy the new piece and have the old item sitting around while they wait for a buyer? Do they have places that entertain trades? Do they rely on the big aggregator sites or consign through local shops? What if they have something that they like but would just like to try something different? I have some immense Tekton Pendragons. They sound terrific, but now and then I think of smaller speakers, mainly something vintage like AR-3a. I also have a Rogue Sphinx v2 but think at times of going entirely solid state.