....my Pioneer SX737 lost it's job.

When I first picked up my ElectroVoice Dominators and the Yamaha S6115 speakers, compliments of the US Government, I hooked them up to my Sansui system in the house to try them out. Since they're stadium speakers, they sounded GREAT at medium to high volume, but lack in the quiet range. Considering that, and the low WAF, I decided to build my "forklift" system for the warehouse. I found an early 90s BPC Sony TA-AX295 amp, ST-JX295 tuner, and matching cassette deck (since discarded) at a garage sale for 20 bucks, complete with remote control. They have proprietary ICs, so if they break, you're toast. A whopping 25 wpc! Hey, it was cheap, and I was surprised at how well it sounded, considering. I can even irritate the neighbors with it if need be.

Well, a couple months ago, I stumbled into a Pioneer SX737 and Sansui TT for $50, so after a cleaning etc., I put the Pioneer to work in the system. I immediately noticed a difference in sound, but not for the better, in my opinion. My son said it sounded better to him, but not to me. I decided to leave it in there for the time being. Maybe I just need to get used to it. I tried putzing with the controls to change the sound, but any time I applied volume, I hated it. And, at low volume, where it is most of the day, I found myself straining to hear it. There were many days I didn't even turn it on.



Last night, while the wife and kids were over at the coast, I decided to pop the Sony stuff back in and see if it was my imagination. All of a sudden I could hear the things I used to hear. With the Pioneer in the system, I discovered what the term "ear-bleed" means. I hated it!


My conclusion from all of this is that I truly believe that there is a synergy between a system, the speakers, and the listener that all have to be evaluated in judging a setup. I KNOW the Pioneer isn't a piece of crap, and I KNOW that the Sony is far from being even considered in most conversations, and the speakers are just what they are. I also know that my hearing is marginal. But, to ME, they sound good in combination. There is something between all of them that just seems to click.


Anyway, the Pioneer is on the shelf for right now. Maybe when I get my JBL L-80Ts re-foamed we'll try her again.

(Here's a photo of my "forklift system" for those of you who haven't had the privliege of seeing it)

Always a hoot to see that forklift setup!

when it comes down to the sound we prefer, the components that get you there hold less importance. congrats on finding your good sound.

Great story! Had to chuckle with ya. That's like "Redneck" material.

That's too cool for words. And the pic is necessary to really get the point across. Don't think most people would take it literally when you said "forklift system."
As for the synergies, that's what makes it so much fun. Sometimes our assumptions disappear, as the good warden would say, "like a fart in the wind."