Al.M

Also if the budget can be stretched a little to max around $600-700 it will open you up to many more such as Sonus Faber, Jamo Concert 8 and 707, better and other Dynaudio, Spendor (BC1 and others), B&W, Kef, many Focals etc. A few more under $500 include Wagner MTM kit speakers, Acoustic Energy AE109, Jamo 507 etc.

Used Whatmough 202, Krix Lyrix and Monitor 250 (bargained hard), Monitor Audio Bronze, Proac Studio 1, Alexis Monitor 1, Dynaudio 42 etc.

Not at the moment, used with electronic crossover and not set up for a final solution, just to play around with. DIY google speakers may have some free designs around but depends on what woofers and tweeters one might have laying around to match.

Depends how perfect a replacement matching tweeter you want. To do it properly the replacement tweeter should not change the frequency crossover point and someone who knows how the measure to frequency response and make crossover circuit changes should be involved. If you don’t want to do that it will be a random approach that probably won’t succeed technically on measurement but your ears may not hear the difference and might be acceptable to you in the end. If you go this route some of the basics are choose another tweeter with the same impedance and decibel efficiency spec, for example original tweeter is 6 ohms and 88dB. Also note the +/- ive wire connections are the same. Connect it up, listen and if it still sounds too bright add a resistor (1, 3, 5, 10 ohm play around for correct sounding result) to the + ive cable in series (not across cables) to reduce the intensity. Look out for replacement tweeter brands from $50-200 both used or new like Scanspeak (D9500, Peerless 810921 equivalent etc), Seas (T25 or 27TF etc), Satori, Dynaudio etc and/or google for latest brands and models and reviews. Before all of the above try adding a resistor to reduce intensity of the existing tweeter and/or replace the crossover circuit tweeter capacitor and any resistor in its path with higher quality polypropylene and non sand cast resistors.

The ATC midrange unit is still one of the best sounding things out there and the 40 model. I have the midrange units that I occasionally setup in a DIY three way speaker and they are always good on a range of amps and setups.

Probably look for satellite with subwoofer speaker systems at various shops as bars and cafes have different listening spots for customers and there won’t be one sweet spot for best sounding if using a traditional stereo (two speaker) system. You can look for various wall mount brackets both new and used in gumtree to suit whatever eventual speaker but being so close to the wall they can sound worse than having flexibility to move around or away from for better results in an ideal sense. A rear ported speaker vs front or non ported all perform differently and you may not know until it’s mounted and you decide if it’s acceptable. For stereo systems various new options can be Yamaha, Kef, KRK, Dynaudio and other active amplification speakers (amp unit inside speaker no need for separate amp) and some wireless among them, both professional studio and home hifi suppliers. Various non active amp speakers like used $900 Kef Ls50 or similar (Sonas Faber, Lenehan, Dynaudio, Proac, Spendor, Focal, B&W) with 10 year old $300 NAD C325Bee integrated amp or similar (Audiolab, Rotel, Roksan, Luxman, Musical Fidelity, Yamaha AS500-700 etc). Also read up on how to place and position speakers for better results.

Also you mentioned a problem with hearing voices on movies, which is a common issue that can depend on avr amp settings (find the best setting where voices are heard clearly, usually 2 channel stereo with sub), add a centre speaker or change the main speakers for ones that have a strong midrange or voice, ensure you speaker and sitting position is correct (google for info on best stereo triangle position).

Your current avr is discontinued with some old stock prices around $800 and seems to be within modern day realms 5-10 years appearances and although mid budget level might sound bubbly enough to make some speakers sound good enough. You would need to try to find a suitable used speaker and there are heaps used stretching back 30 years plus that have good reviews and sound compared to modern day speakers such as Spendor BC1 $500-700, various Dynaudio (these might suit with their brighter sound to lift dull sounding avr amps?), Monitor Audio, Proac Super tower $1000, Krix Lyrix $500, many JMlab Focal, Whatmough 202 $500, Quadral, many B&W, even a cheap Yamaha NS05 or Sherwood Picolo $50 bookshelf with your Yamaha subwoofer may do. I have the same sub as your yours that I found for $25 used which was $300 rrp and it’s not too bad, there are many worse. There will still be weaknesses but potentially better result at your stage in the journey at minimal cost.

Generally as other have said but your turntable should have good enough sound quality to beat many mid hifi CD players up to maybe $2000-3000 rrp. If you have to replace the amp and stay with Av use there are other vintage good quality avr that once sold for around $4000 rrp vs yours at around $1k maybe, such as Sony avr ES777 worth used for around $300 that sounds as good as many budget good quality stereo amps and others similar. Next is to change the speakers out for another floor standing three way driver like Dynaudio 82 for around $1k used and similar. Once you do this it can still be very good and not spend much more.

Most electrostatic speakers, Ls3/5a, ATC three way speakers, Yamaha NS1000 and 5000, Proac 1se, VAF I-66 and 93, Lowthers, WAR Audio Ref 1 and Diannes, Kef Blade, Ref 1 and Ls50, Spendor SP100

Best to try each amp out with the speakers either in the shop or at home if possible as the speaker and amp matching is very hard to determine otherwise.

Trolls G has written about the NS1000, which is similar http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Yamaha-NS1000.htm read this and other information he has provided.

Can you post a picture of what needs translated and I can ask my Japanese partner. Please indicate which parts you are stuck on vs too many pages of it.

Some large Dali and Cerwin Vega speakers might suit to fill the room. There many options in gumtree Victoria, Jamo 707 and Wharfdale also. Take your amp there and try to see if it drives speaker loud enough before buying.

You should be able to achieve the same using a preamp (has the same controls and inputs as an integrated amp but no power amp in it) with an active speaker and worry less about finding the right match between between separate amp and speaker. You might find a $700 active speaker and $300 preamp like a NAD or others.

Fo amps the old NAD 3020 is good but there are a plethora of others out there for similar $ like later versions of NAD 320 BEE ect, Rotels, Audiolab 8000A, Musical Fidelity, Arcam, Pioneer 400 etc. For speakers in the budget try also Monitor Audio, Dynaudio, Whatmough, Focal, B&W etc. Look for whatever comes up used and looks decent, research them to see if it suits your needs.

For new retail look at Edifier as the budget is not much and and if you go higher that would help to find better quality. Used in gumtree and classified adverts here would be best bang for buck on the budget for products that were once 2-3 times the value new. Such as Yamaha H series, KRK, Fostex, Behringer which are studio monitor but will work for lounge room as well.

There seem to be floorstander and bookshelf versions of these and one sold here in the past for $690. Price it at $750 then.

Agree with above neutral sounding with lots of hidden detail and no listening fatigue, very well constructed, sophisticated operation and controls. GLWS

For each item generally about 30-60% of their rrp value. Do an online search for both use new and items for each brand and model estimate from there. Seems to be about 2010 models. Try to sell the Rotel gear together as a matching system other wise you may be left with things can’t sell. - 2 x Sonus Faber speakers, on stands - what model is it? But probably around $600-1200 - Rotel Power Amplifier RB-1070 - $300 - 400 - Rotel Stereo Control Amplifier RC-1070 - $200 - 300 - Rotel CD Player RCD-1072 - $200 - 300 - Pro-Ject Turntable - what model? - Rotel AM/FM Stereo Tuner RT-850A - $50 - 100

What’s the preferred budget ?

Thanks for letting us know what your system is and if you are happy with it then that’s all that matters.

If you can answer those questions including budget we could understand and be more precise in our response to you. For example if you have a crappy $200 beer budget system there would be more reason to upgrade but if you have a $50-100k system then there may be less reasons.

These are great sounding, good deal, $7-8k rrp GLWS

What system have you got, for how long and any pics with room size, music tastes, are you still enjoying and/or you what do you want to improve that currently isn’t achieving it to your ears?