View Full Version : $1500 for a whole system!?!?!?!
My nephew asked me to recommend a system for a budget of $1500! Speakers amp CD player and cables. I sat in my chair and tried to think of a response to this seemingly impossible question. I'm glad he asked on the phone rather than in person (he missed seeing me mouth agape and drooling slightly). The stare of my cat brought me back to reality. I could tell what he was thinking as he sat on the sofa snickering at me (your over priced hobby is going to send one more music lover to the dreaded world of mp3s and $399 combo music/TV surround systems from BestBuy). I looked at my dog who was looking a me with quiet contempt, he apparently remembered I bought a new CD player rather than the custom dog house he was eying. As the dog joined the cat on the couch (some times when they are both on the same piece of furniture and both staring at me intently I do know fear) I remembered I had the phone in my hand. I told my nephew I would have to get back to him and proceeded to hang up. Anyone out there have any ideas? Please help. :(
Steve Hoffman
08-25-2002, 10:29 PM
Well, I don't know what stuff costs anymore in the real world, but your local stereo chain would have a CD changer for around $250, and a receiver for around $500. Spend the rest on speakers I guess.....
Seems more like a 1972 price though...
You would most likely stand a better chance in the used market Andy.;)
I'd check out Audio Advisor online. They have some pretty decent mid-fi gear at clearance prices. You can get, for example, Cambridge Audio and Parasound stuff pretty cheap and they often have deals on cables, racks, etc. Look in the clearance/demo section. Heck, you can even add a Music Hall turntable for only $300! ;)
Ray
What the heck, start your nephew off with tubes. You can get a lovely-sounding flea-powered SET such as the Decware Zen for $500. Or ASL makes a pair of cheap tube monoblocks for only $200/pair! Of course you have to have sensitive speakers with these, but hell you can buy some on-clearance Klipsh or Polk at any Circuit City for maybe $600-800/pair. A $200 CD player is obviously no problem. You can even get a Sony SACD player for less than $200.
Ray
RDK has a good idea: The Sony 775, 5 disc SACD player. check to see if it plays MP3's and such, though.
Not sure what else though.
Used might be an interesting option but it involves you doing the hunting around. Perhaps focus on decent speakers, a cheap used but good receiver (like Harmon Kardon) and with the Sony you're done!
Tell him where to upgrade (like proper speaker cables vs. lamp cord or 'good' interconnects). That way, the audiophile bug will bite - as opposed to the dog or cat biting.... ;)
And help and give him advice like proper speaker set up, ets. Buy him ONE SAVD for Christmas. Buy him ONE Steve Hoffman mastered disc. Who's Next? Play it on his system and point out the strengths of the disc.....
I helped my nephew start his system. He got a decent HK receiver and CD player. After borrowing and returning my (vintage) Advents, he bought his own speakers. They looked like they belonged in a disco/bar and sounded lie they should be there, too. Loud, crappy sound and loud. I commented: Wheres the mid range? There are too many drivers in these things and they can't image - you should be able to close your eyes and the speakers 'disappear'.
:sigh: Well ya gotta try, right?
My first thought was about those 10wpc ASL monos fer about $200 a pair, with Moth Audio speakers about $695 or so plus shipping 'cause we live way off the beaten path. But it now occurs to me that a more versital system may be better to start with.
Tullman
08-26-2002, 11:26 AM
I bought my daughter a used McIntosh 5100 integrated amp and a used Marantz 67se cd player. I had some old Fisher 2 way speakers with blown drivers. I called Madisound speakers (608)8313433, and they set me up drivers that would fit the holes in the Fishers and a crossover that was made for the drivers. Madisound also sells cabinets you can assemble or have assembled. The whole deal was less than a thousand dollars. Her system kicks the *** of any rack system I heard at Circuit City or tweeter. My daughter loves the setup I gave her. I wish my dad would have gotten me a cool stereo like that when I was a kid.
krabapple
08-26-2002, 12:02 PM
Originally posted by Andy
My nephew asked me to recommend a system for a budget of $1500! Speakers amp CD player and cables. I sat in my chair and tried to think of a response to this seemingly impossible question. I'm glad he asked on the phone rather than in person (he missed seeing me mouth agape and drooling slightly). The stare of my cat brought me back to reality. I could tell what he was thinking as he sat on the sofa snickering at me (your over priced hobby is going to send one more music lover to the dreaded world of mp3s and $399 combo music/TV surround systems from BestBuy). I looked at my dog who was looking a me with quiet contempt, he apparently remembered I bought a new CD player rather than the custom dog house he was eying. As the dog joined the cat on the couch (some times when they are both on the same piece of furniture and both staring at me intently I do know fear) I remembered I had the phone in my hand. I told my nephew I would have to get back to him and proceeded to hang up. Anyone out there have any ideas? Please help. :(
Spend the bulk of the money on speakers! They will make the most difference, by far. I like satellite/sub combos, for placement flexibility and sound.
CD players and amps are essentially commodities these days. Just make sure for his sake that the CDP (or DVD-P) does CD-R, CDR-W and MP3.
Buy cables and inteconnects from Radio Shack. Don't waste your money on anything pricier.
Impress upon him the importance of speaker placement and room treatment; along with the speakers themselves, these will make the most difference in how his system sounds.
Originally posted krabapple
Buy cables and inteconnects from Radio Shack. Don't waste your money on anything pricier.
Puleeze. Waste your money? I really have to beg to differ here KA. I do agree with the speakers being the paramount of concern here though...
lukpac
08-26-2002, 01:08 PM
Originally posted by Andy
My nephew asked me to recommend a system for a budget of $1500!
So? You can get great sound for that price. Good sound doesn't have to be that expensive.
Originally posted by Dave
Puleeze. Waste your money? I really have to beg to differ here KA. I do agree with the speakers being the paramount of concern here though...
I agree with you, Dave but think of it this way:
At his level, it'll be a waste of money. Sink funds into decent speakers. Receivers, CDP's, IC's and speaker cables can be upgraded easily. And when he does, and the upgrade blows his socks off, he'll be a true audiophile - hooked! :)
Like us! :D
Sckott
08-26-2002, 01:54 PM
Depends on the person you are. But I've learned the worse thing you can do is buy a poor pair of speakers. It's like buying a plad suit because you swear it will be back in style someday. Embarassing.
Have your first TT or amp bronzed so you can remember your 1st baby steps. Don't skimp on the cones.
Ken_McAlinden
08-26-2002, 02:16 PM
I think Harman Kardon has a 2-channel 70 wpc integrated amp for around $300. Multi-channel seems to be where all of the mid-fi money is going these days. I haven't auditioned it, but if it sounds decent, that leaves $1200 for speakers and a CD player. :)
Regards,
krabapple
08-26-2002, 02:37 PM
Originally posted by Gary
[B]
I agree with you, Dave but think of it this way:
At his level, it'll be a waste of money. Sink funds into decent speakers. Receivers, CDP's, IC's and speaker cables can be upgraded easily. And when he does, and the upgrade blows his socks off, he'll be a true audiophile - hooked! :)
er...sure, OK! That's what I meant! :D
-KA
keeping the peace
krabapple
08-26-2002, 02:39 PM
Originally posted by Dave
Puleeze. Waste your money? I really have to beg to differ here KA.
No need to beg. Disagreement is free!
I do agree with the speakers being the paramount of concern here though...
Good. Box, planar, or horn?
;)
Well, we decided on the ASL Wave mono blocks 10wpc $129 each, speakers from Moth audio the Cicada $695 with a sensitivity rating of 94dB which I think will work, a CD player that Humorem recommended in his catalog $249 at Best Buy :shh: we still need a preamp though.
You sure you don't want to get a SACD player? For the same price as te CD player Humoreum had, the 775 will get you SACD as well as half decent redbook!!
Just a thought.....
It was out of stock at our local Best Buy and they told me they didn't expect to restock that model 'cause its being replaced with a new model.
Oh well. And they can't order one from another store.... ?
"shrug"
NoTinEar
08-26-2002, 11:02 PM
In regards to the Sony 775-
Here is a company that has the unit for $199.00
http://store.yahoo.com/advantage123/sny-scdce775.html
And also this chain has the unit for $249.00
http://www.goodguys.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=394012&sourceid=00387843745263060841&refer=epinions
I don't think however it will support MP3.
I also would suggest you go with one of those Denon as a preamp or a used unit.
I would also suggest perhaps a set of Polk 25ti if you can find them still as they are on closeout. They go for about $200 on closeout. They are my new favorite to replace used NHT Super One's which can be had for about the same used price. Of course there is a pretty good review of the Paradigm Atoms in the latest Stereophile. I used to sell Paradigm and can say that the Titans were definitely a good run for the Super One's. Again your still talking about in the price range of $200-$250. I have no idea of the sensitivity of any of these however and as your only using the 10 watts not sure how they would fit into your plan. Anyway there is actually B&W and others in that price range too. Guess you can go on and on. At any rate be sure you let us know what you end up with and how it sounds.
Tullman
08-27-2002, 01:10 PM
Originally posted by Andy
Well, we decided on the ASL Wave mono blocks 10wpc $129 each, speakers from Moth audio the Cicada $695 with a sensitivity rating of 94dB which I think will work, a CD player that Humorem recommended in his catalog $249 at Best Buy :shh: we still need a preamp though.
I hope your nephew doesn't like to crank it up. Maybe you should consider a cheap powered subwoofer.
quadjoe
08-31-2002, 06:36 PM
Originally posted by Tullman
I hope your nephew doesn't like to crank it up. Maybe you should consider a cheap powered subwoofer.
10wpc should be adequate as long as you have good efficient speakers. I know more power means cleaner sound, but if you're on a budget, get the best you can afford at the time. The beauty of buying separates is that when finances allow you can upgrade the weakest link in your system. BTW I agree with everyone else: put most of your money in the speakers, you won't be sorry.
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