Athena AS-F2 spekakers help

Autor

Beitrag

Sam2005_1980
Neuling

#1 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 15:43

Hi,

Thanks for your inputs to my previous post, I just bought a pair of Athena AS-F2 speakers and Harmon-Kardon HK3480 receiver(I think its good enough to drive them). Now I have,

1- A custom made notebook (I made it myself!)
2- 2 Athena AS-F2 speakers and
3- Harmon-Kardon HK3480 receiver(I think its good enough to drive them)

The specs of the system:

Notebook
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Very stylish (Silver, Black)

15" Display

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ CPU

60GB HDD

512MB DDR RAM

64 MB ATI Radeon graphics

Multiformat DVD writer

4 USB 2.0 Ports

TV-Out

Firewire

LAN

Avermedia PCMCIA tv tuner card (I use this for recording tv programs)

Average stereo sound card, only one output, where I connect my headphones for now

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Receiver HK3480
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Amplification:

Continuous power (FTC): 120 Watts per channel, 20Hz - 20kHz @ <0.07% THD
Input sensitivity/impedance linear (high-level): 200mV/47k Ohms
Signal/noise ratio (IHF-A) 95dB
Frequency response at 1W +0dB,-3dB;10Hz - 110kHz
High instantaneous current capability (HCC) ±45 Amps
Transient intermodulation distortion (TIM) Unmeasurable
Rise time 16 µsec
Slew rate 40V/µsec

FM Tuner

Frequency range 87.5 - 108MHz
Usable sensitivity (IHF) 1.12 µV/13.5dBf
Signal/noise ratio (Mono/Stereo) 73/72dB
Distortion (Mono/Stereo) 0.3%/0.4%
IF rejection >80dB

General:

Power requirement AC 120V/60Hz

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Speakers - Athena AS-F2
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Tweeter:
1" Teteron Dome
Magnetically Shielded

Impedance: 8 ohms compatible

Woofer:
Dual 8" Injection Molded Polypropylene with Rubber Surround
Magnetically Shielded

Frequency Response:
35Hz - 20kHz +/- 3 dB

Power Handling:
250 watts per channel

Sensitivity:
93dB
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I am a newbie, so please don't laugh at my questions, here they are

1- How do I connect my notebook to HK3480, what cable to buy? It is a simple stereo sound card, but I can buy creative audigy2 nx usb sound card, if its really needed.
2- How should I connect my receiver to speakers, I am thinking of buying 16 gauge cables from radioshack, will that be good, I am not sure about this, need you help, also about the connecters
3- What else do I need, I am not using any surge protector now, do I need to buy one, is yes are there any specs/brands?

I do not have any cables, or power supply, have to buy everything

I would appreciate any help on it.

Thanks
Sam

benkenobi
Hat sich gelöscht

#2 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 17:27

Congrats Sam...awesome speakers..and an equaly good receiver..

1> u need to buy the best sound card that u can afford..
2>Buy a digital coaxial cable..(i think the H/K has a digital input) i would suggest either of the folowing

a>Bettercables.com
b>Blue Jeans cable(do a google search)(go for one with canare connectors.

3> As for speaker cables..i would personally go for ordinary zip cord..but if buying branded cables makes u feel good then go for it..but keep it under limits..Don't go spending more than 50$ intotal(that itself is too much if u should ask me)..and for connectors buy a a couple of pairs of bananas from partsexpress or from partsconnexion.com(check this up and let u know)

Cheers,
Sachi

p.s: regarding the power surge protector...a basic one would do as u guys have les problems to deal with when it comes to power quality..

benkenobi
Hat sich gelöscht

#3 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 17:29

nobody is going to laugh at anyone's questions...believe me, i too am still learning things and consider myself a noob too..so chill and ask away without any second thoughts..

Arj
Inventar

#4 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 17:35

1. U need a Converter from a 3inch Audio Jack to RCA.
Ideally this

http://www.amazon.co...electronics&n=172544
OR

http://www.amazon.co.../102-9338090-2199363

Or else a Y adapter and 2 Interconnects (would suggest a longer version of the above)

2. Buy any good speaker cables with banana Pins. 12-14 gauge will do you very good. better to avaoid Bare wire from a pure maint point of view
Since u like to make it yourselves, buy the cable and buy 4 banana plugs and put them together

3. Since your Laptop to Amp and Amp to Speaker connections are done. just relax and stop worrying about anything else and enjoy the music.

And if anyone tells you to use a power conditioner / better cables or even a dedicatee CD Player. just ignore them.

If you are enjoying your music that is good enough...
And that can continue untill u get the itch and want to improve the sound..and when that has happened you have anyway come on to the dark side and no one would be able to salvage you after that

[Beitrag von Arj am 21. Jun 2005, 17:37 bearbeitet]

benkenobi
Hat sich gelöscht

#5 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 17:56

Arj schrieb:

1. U need a Converter from a 3inch Audio Jack to RCA.

That is what i used for my system for over 3 years and had no problems whatsoever..and i used a local make...paid 35 rupees

Arj schrieb:

2. Buy any good speaker cables with banana Pins. 12-14 gauge will do you very good. better to avaoid Bare wire from a pure maint point of view
Since u like to make it yourselves, buy the cable and buy 4 banana plugs and put them together ;)

Like i said its a personal choice and a psychological one...i would settle for zip cord(12-14gauge) Just remember to keep them as short as posssible.

Arj schrieb:

True..but i think u could go any buy a better soundcard(but i understand that it would be too costly for a laptop...not that u can't have fun with the standard ones...i know i did, with my 35 buck stereo jack to 2 RCA cable.

Arj schrieb:

If you are enjoying your music that is good enough...
And that can continue untill u get the itch and want to improve the sound..and when that has happened you have anyway come on to the dark side and no one would be able to salvage you after that :KR

That's true, the upgrade bug has bitten me so badly that i am gunning for a triamped active system...

Cheers,
Sachi

Sam2005_1980
Neuling

#6 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 20:07

thanks a lot guys!

so now i am buying
1- stereo jack to 2 RCA cable
2- a basic power surge protector
3- 4 banana plugs

i think i should be able to get all the above stuff at Radioshack.

I will buy above stuff first, then later on probably buy a better sound card, i would have to throw only stereo jack to 2 RCA cable, and buy a digital coaxial cable. I think i have only option with sound card as i can use an external card, creative audigy2 nx usb, is there any other external sound card which is better than audigy2 nx?

Also I am still not sure about the speaker cable, would i be able to use 12 gauge speaker cable. I came across this forum on net, found this excerpt

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What is the deal with big big speaker wire?? You put big 12 guage speaker wire on it when the power cable for the whole system is only 14-16 guage. I havent ever seen bigger than 12 guage on an ac power cord, i think how can there be more current coming out than whats going in?
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Does it mean, if i am putting in 12 gauge cables, then i also would have to have a thicker power cable?

Please advice which speaker cable should i buy? I agree now that my earlier choice, 16 gauge would be a bit thin, but what else do i have to do (about power cables, etc ) so that 12 gauge cable would actually be used?

Sam

Arj
Inventar

#7 erstellt: 21. Jun 2005, 21:39

Sam2005_1980 schrieb:

Does it mean, if i am putting in 12 gauge cables, then i also would have to have a thicker power cable?

Please advice which speaker cable should i buy? I agree now that my earlier choice, 16 gauge would be a bit thin, but what else do i have to do (about power cables, etc ) so that 12 gauge cable would actually be used?

Sam

Speaker cable and power cables have no relation to each other. go with 12 Gauge since it is globally acepted to be pretty good and you should have no problems with it..although i do not see why 16 gauge would not be good either.

and forget about powerchords untill the bug bites you hard and you have upgraded your amp,speakers and have got a dedicated cdp....

[Beitrag von Arj am 21. Jun 2005, 21:40 bearbeitet]

Sam2005_1980
Neuling

#8 erstellt: 22. Jun 2005, 21:17

thanks a lot guys!!! for all the help.

Got all my queries solved, i am still waiting for reciever to arrive, probably hook up all the things this weekend, and will listen to my first real audio system.