Best home audio for the money....

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

Jeremys4runner wrote:
> Lets say you have $1000 and you are trying to put together a decent home
> audio system.

Your budget figure is pretty important. With careful spending, you can
do a lot more with even $1400 than $1000, but if $1000 is what you want
to do, then here's my own suggestion.

If you are willing to forego FM (which isn't a bad idea in this day and
age of Internet Radio), you might consider a classic integrated amp.
I saw a Fisher X100 today for $250 on Craigslist at:

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/ele/72733265.html

CD players can be had for very cheap. $100 or less.

With a $1000 limit, I'd recommend staying out of vinyl just because
any turntable you'd really want would cost you a good $300 to start.

Since you say you can build your own loudspeakers, that's precisely
what you should do. Take the balance of your money and go to
Madisound at:

http://www.madisound.com/

Russ

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

Jeremys4runner wrote:
> Lets say you have $1000 and you are trying to put together a decent
home
> audio system. You can purchase the entire set up in a box, mix and
match
> speakers and receiver, or build the cabinets and use individual
speakers
> and do your own wiring. You have the ability to shop online or
through
> retail establishments. What would you do???? What's the best sound
for
> the money????? Sure the more money.. the better sound, but how do you
> create an audiophile home audio system, 6.1 or better, and still stay
> within a budget?

You don't. What you do is to start with something less ambitious, and
then expand/upgrade as finances permit. So think in terms of a 2.1
system, with more channels added later. The idea is to buy a good basic
receiver and player that'll let you concentrate future spending on more
and better speakers. Some guidelines:

RECEIVER: Lots to choose from in the $300-400 range. Find one with
enough features to keep you happy for a good long while, so that the
next few rounds of spending can go into speakers.

DVD PLAYER: Cheap out. They may not all sound the same, but they're
damned close. Panasonic wins the CU reliability sweepstakes, so that's
the brand I'd go with. A basic one is $80. You could spring for a
universal, which plays SACD and DVD-A, but there's so little software
you may not feel the need.

SPEAKERS: With $500-600 to spend here, you're looking at something on
the order of a pair of Paradigm Atoms or Titans and one of their
smaller subs. When you can afford more speakers, you can get better
ones and move the little guys to the rear. At some point, you'll want
to replace the sub with something bigger. But other than that, you're
buying keepers.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

Jeremys4runner <Jeremys4runner.1p5mpn@audiobanter.com> wrote:
> Lets say you have $1000 and you are trying to put together a decent home
> audio system. You can purchase the entire set up in a box,

Those usually have somewhat weak speakers.

> mix and match speakers and receiver,

Receiver: something like a Pioneer VSX-515-K
$175.00 at http://www.aadeals.com/detail.asp?itemid=5935

There are, of course, many receivers with similar characteristics.
I am mentioning the Pioneer because it is quite cheap

Subwoofer: Yamaha SW-315
$183.94 at http://www.simplycheap.com/yamasw-315.html

There are also a lot of subwoofers. I mention this one, because it
is the one I have, and it also inexpensive.

In speakers there are many options (B&W, Wharfedale, etc.) but to
fit a $1000 budget, it gets a bit difficult. I searched for Infinity:

One center speaker: Infinity BETA C250 2-Way $139.00 at:
http://www.fotoconnection.com/vi-1 [...] C250-.html

so far: $175.00 + $183.94 + $139.00 = $497.94

3 pairs of bookshelf speakers: Infinity BETA 20 2-Way

3 * $235.00 = $705 at:
http://www.fotoconnection.com/vi-1 [...] A-20-.html

$497.94 + $705 = $1202.94

So, it is a bit above your budget. Replacing the Beta 20s by Beta 10s

http://www.fotoconnection.com/vi-1 [...] A-10-.html
3 * $199.00 = $597 . $497.94 + $597 = 1094.94

Still a bit over $1000. You might have to go to Infinity Primus:

Infinity Primus 160 2-Way 6-1/2" Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair) $145.99
http://www.fotoconnection.com/vi-1 [...] -160-.html

Infinity Primus C25 2-Way Dual 5-1/4" Center Channel Loudspeaker $99.99
http://www.fotoconnection.com/vi-1 [...] -C25-.html

$175.00 + $183.94 + $99.99 + 3 * $145.99 = $896.9

--
http://www.mat.uc.pt/~rps/

..pt is Portugal| `Whom the gods love die young'-Menander (342-292 BC)
Europe | Villeneuve 50-82, Toivonen 56-86, Senna 60-94

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

Jeremys4runner writes:
> Lets say you have $1000 and you are trying to put together a decent home
> audio system. You can purchase the entire set up in a box, mix and match
> speakers and receiver, or build the cabinets and use individual speakers
> and do your own wiring. You have the ability to shop online or through
> retail establishments. What would you do???? What's the best sound for
> the money????? Sure the more money.. the better sound, but how do you
> create an audiophile home audio system,

OK, this is a tight budget, but I know what I'd do.

A pair of powered mini-monitors can be had new for about $700, and a
decent CD player with a volume control can be had for say $200. I
would spend the rest of the money on speaker stands.

> 6.1 or better, and still stay within a budget? I want to hear your
> opinions on the matter, so SPEAK UP!!!!

6.1 ? For $1000 ? I have no idea.

Andrew.