You're gonna laugh

[Gark]

Hiya Gark here-
So I have a Sony STR-840P receiver nabbed for $30 from a Mel Trotters store (it replaced my failed venerable Marantz 1152DC integrated amp).
Sheesh - I regret letting that 1152DC go instead of repairing its glorious output. But...
Ran the STR-840P as a simple 2-channel amp from the earphone port of an ancient Dell Lattitude E5510 laptop playing MP3 songs.
The Sony receiver (100 Watts per channel - they say) sounded OK into the two RSL 12" 3-way speakers but could use some bass, ya know?
Seems that the Sony STR-840 amp also has a "sub-woofer" output (RCA jack Oh, Boy it's analog!). Yeah cheapskate me says yup, yup!
Brought down the old dusty Scott 325R receiver off the storage shelf - and what if I run this weak Scott receiver amp into two Realistic
8" two-way speakers to boost my bass as a subwoofer?? It sounds pretty good, but needs lower end presence. Well of
course the Scott has been contoured with minimum treble, max bass and the bass boost engaged.
Ya know - I can easily afford a powered subwoofer (there are dozens of good offerings) but if I'm satisfied with this - should I go down that rabbit
hole to get better sound?
So that's my introduction - I'm a wanna be electrical engineer, retired at 70 -ish years old, comfortably funded, cheap and loves 60's rock music.
Thanks for having me here.
G-

 

[markcasazza]

Gark,

If you are happy, why change, but then again if you miss the sound of the 1152DC it sounds like you have the ability to upgrade. I'm also well funded and cheap. I prefer to spend in my other expensive hobby (astronomy) so most of my HiFi equipment was acquired used. Here are a few ideas:
* If you are comfortable with online purchases check out the audio focused places.
* Most high end audio shops take trade ins and resell them, that would be a major step up in confidence.
* Lastly you may have some local shops that focus on selling used vintage audio.
* If you want you make it an adventure, estate sales (or even antique stores) will get you the most bang for your buck, but the search (especially estate sales) may run a few years and there is risk that the unit does not really work all that well.

M