Wow, I'm impressed.

just Scott · 24 Mar 2009 at 00:37

So, my dad just gave me his old (he's had them for 20 years) stereo amplifier and speakers. To be honest, they don't look like much - I doubt they're any good compared to some of todays stuff. The amp is a Trio KA-54 and the speakers are Technics SB-F900 bookshelves.

Does anyone know anything about either of these? Because what I'm hearing is awesome. I'm switching between my built in monitor speakers and these, and I'm honestly laughing at the difference. I know monitor speakers are terrible, but jesus christ. Even if these are old, budget stereo speakers and amp I'm very impressed. Do all hi-fi speakers sound this good? I'm seriously tempted to buy my own decent kit now, these have convinced me.

Sorry, this is a bit of a random thread but I thought I'd share. If anyone has any info about these speakers and amp let me know please.

Cheers

9designs2 · 24 Mar 2009 at 06:32

Imagine a 3 meter ladder, you have just got off the ground on to the second or third rung................... Beware the steps get closer together the higher you climb, and each ever more expensive......have fun climbing !

-Ad- · 24 Mar 2009 at 08:15

9designs2 said:
Imagine a 3 meter ladder, you have just got off the ground on to the second or third rung................... Beware the steps get closer together the higher you climb, and each ever more expensive......have fun climbing !

Also remember that the higher you climb, then more money falls out of your pocekts...... EXPONENTIALLY !!!!!

NeilF · 24 Mar 2009 at 09:37

-Ad- said:
Also remember that the higher you climb, then more money falls out of your pocekts...... EXPONENTIALLY !!!!!

I'm happy to just stick to my high heels then

-Ad- · 24 Mar 2009 at 13:43

NeilFawcett said:
I'm happy to just stick to my high heels then

Cheeky

Enjoy the speakers and amp. If you consider buying your own kit then I serioulsy recommend goign 2nd hand. You get soo much more for your money and it is well worth it even if you can't demo the stuff beforehand.

just Scott · 24 Mar 2009 at 14:36

9designs2 said:
Imagine a 3 meter ladder, you have just got off the ground on to the second or third rung................... Beware the steps get closer together the higher you climb, and each ever more expensive......have fun climbing !

Haha, cheers. I've got a bit of experience with audio and I know how expensive it is. I spent a lot on my headphone setup, I've been through about 5 different pairs and about 6 different amps/sources.

I've settled on Sennheiser HD650s and a Zero DAC/headphone amp (search eBay for "zero dac" if you're interested) which is well regarded and good value at £80. I'm using the DAC section with my speakers now, works great.

-Ad- said:
Cheeky

Enjoy the speakers and amp. If you consider buying your own kit then I serioulsy recommend goign 2nd hand. You get soo much more for your money and it is well worth it even if you can't demo the stuff beforehand.

Yeah, I was planning to get them second hand. Considering the amp I'm looking at is £120 new (Cambridge Audio A5) and go for £50 on eBay, it would be a bit silly not to.

I'm looking at Tannoy F1 or Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 at the minute also.

Anyway, after listening to these speakers a bit more, it's obvious it's not the most high end equipment. The speakers are a bit boomy in the bass (my positioning probably doesn't help) and the mids don't have much detail. But they still sound much better than any computer speakers I've tried.

Cheekychap · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:15

trio is now known as kenwood as far as i remember

just Scott · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:50

Cheekychap said:
trio is now known as kenwood as far as i remember

You're right, they changed their name to Kenwood in 1986 apparently. This amp is really old then.

marscay · 25 Mar 2009 at 08:06

H2F Scott said:
Yeah, I was planning to get them second hand. Considering the amp I'm looking at is £120 new (Cambridge Audio A5) and go for £50 on eBay, it would be a bit silly not to.

I'm looking at Tannoy F1 or Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 at the minute also.

Anyway, after listening to these speakers a bit more, it's obvious it's not the most high end equipment. The speakers are a bit boomy in the bass (my positioning probably doesn't help) and the mids don't have much detail. But they still sound much better than any computer speakers I've tried.

an old Arcam Alpha 9 amp + some MA Bronze/Silvers would absolutely smash what you're currently looking at and not cost much more.

go 2nd hand for all of it ....don't be buying bookshelfs new for £100 ...no offense but they're average speakers in reality and you could get the next level up in quality for the same price or maybe a little more if you go 2nd hand.

-Ad- · 25 Mar 2009 at 08:23

marscay said:
an old Arcam Alpha 9 amp + some MA Bronze/Silvers would absolutely smash what you're currently looking at and not cost much more.

go 2nd hand for all of it ....don't be buying bookshelfs new for £100 ...no offense but they're average speakers in reality and you could get the next level up in quality for the same price or maybe a little more if you go 2nd hand.

Have to agree with the above, was my first step into hi-fi.

Now use my MA B2 as rears and my delta 290 is sitting in the loft. Truly awesome sound and will be much better than a CA amp with tannoys imo.

Get the Monitor audio RS1 if you can, great speakers !

marscay · 25 Mar 2009 at 09:30

i should revise a little i guess ...the Alpha 9 series still go for a bit 2nd hand but i'm sure something like the 7 series could be had for about £100-130 on auction.

just Scott · 25 Mar 2009 at 14:04

marscay said:
an old Arcam Alpha 9 amp + some MA Bronze/Silvers would absolutely smash what you're currently looking at and not cost much more.

go 2nd hand for all of it ....don't be buying bookshelfs new for £100 ...no offense but they're average speakers in reality and you could get the next level up in quality for the same price or maybe a little more if you go 2nd hand.

Yeah, I understand that but I have absolutely no speaker knowledge. Some of the best speakers ever made could be on eBay for £100 and I wouldn't consider them because I've never heard of them.

Alexrose1uk · 25 Mar 2009 at 15:35

Well if you ask about any speakers, we'll feed back if we know

just Scott · 25 Mar 2009 at 15:38

Alexrose1uk said:
Well if you ask about any speakers, we'll feed back if we know

Awesome

I'm still saving up some money, I'll be buying in a week or two. I might scour eBay and find some deals, then make a thread asking for feedback on the speakers/amps I find.

But I'm terrible with money. I say I'm going to spend £150, but I know for a fact I will end up seeing a good deal and spending a lot more. It happened with guitars - I told myself I was going to buy a £300 Schecter and ended up with a £700 custom shop Jackson RR5.

Alexrose1uk · 25 Mar 2009 at 15:47

Hahaha I know the feeling. I said I was happy to learn on a cheap bass as I dont play much...and now I have a Schecter

Not to mention... I'm just going to get some small changes with my sound.... TDL3 floorstanders, Quad Lite 5.1, my Missions later and a 1.2k amp.... hehe

knightrider. · 25 Mar 2009 at 16:22

My first step into proper Hi-fi seperates from crappy mini hi-fi setups was a Cambridge Audio A1 that I found in a market, and some Wharfedal Diamon 9.1s that I bought new. Brilliant bits of kit

Now that I've improved all other parts of the setup, I think the amp is holding me back in terms of quality.
Go for your CA5 and Wharfedales, you won't be disappointed!