Is there a good sub option for this wily rag-tag setup?

commsysman wrote:

Vincenzio wrote:

Hi, I bought a Harman Kardon AVR 70, I think it's a mid 90s receiver. I like the look and build of it. And the lack of HDMI.

So of course my Panasonic TV only has optical audio out.

Anyone recommend a cheap but good DAC to connect the TV sound to the receiver?

Will run Mission speakers as well as a pair of Celestion 5 MK II's.

Also, if you're not bored by this post already, I'm looking to get a turntable in the near future, (maybe a cheap Dual) but sadly no phono out for the AVR 70, so if anyone has a good workaround for that, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

Vin

The AVR70 manual shows that it has two optical audio inputs. It seems that you can just run a Toslink cable fron one of these to the optical output of the TV.
Doesn't yours have them?

Otherwise, if you don't have those inputs, I suggest that you get the MUSOU Digital Optical/Coaxial to Analog RCA Audio Converter. It is $14.95 with an optical Toslink cable included from Amazon.

The Audio-Technica LP60 turntable is $99 from Needle Doctor. It has a cartridge included and a built-in phono preamp, so it can be connected to the AUX input on the AVR 70. This would be better than some used Dual turntable.

If you are willing to spend more money to get a better turntable, I would suggest the Music Hall MMF-1.3 turntable, which also has a cartridge and phono preamp included, for $299.

Thanks, Commysman. I appreciate it! I double-checked: no optical ins on the AVR 70. There is another AVR 70, much newer, which probably has two optical in's. The one I have is from 1996.

Thanks for the suggestion of the MUSOU and the Audio-Technica LP60, and the Music Hall MMF-1.3. (A little too rich for my blood, but one can dream.)

Do you recommend a Topping or another more substantial DAC than the MUSOU? Or will the MUSOU do the trick? Just thinking down the road, if I ever need a DAC, I'll already have one. Looking to spend less than $100.

Thanks again.

commsysman wrote:

I suggest that you look at the Polk PSW505 subwoofer.

Amazon has it for $243.

The are certainly cheaper ones, but they are worthless IMO; underpowered and not really capable of any useful low bass.

Thanks a lot, commsysman. I think I misspelled your name in the previous post.
Let's say I don't have that kind of cash. Is there a vintage sub I should look out for, say, at a Goodwill that people often overlook?

Thanks!