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Starter Stereo

C

cpenn

New Member
New to the forum - first post!

I'm interested in setting up a <$300 2-speaker stereo for my medium-sized bedroom. My main criteria is clear, full-range sound that I can crank up when I want (26yo male :D). Low maintenance is also a priority. I stream most my music from Spotify premium, but I'd like to keep it simple and pipe it in via aux cord. I mainly listen to pop, rock (Disturbed, Shinedown, Three Doors Down, etc), and a little country. I came into the high-end HiFi world from Crutchfield where I almost bought a Yamaha R-S202 and a pair of Polk TSi 200's new for $350. Then I read a few online articles that said if I'm not looking for the latest bells and whistles (I'm not), used higher-end names like NAD, Canton, etc. can get me better sound on a similar budget. Clear, full-range sound is my top priority, so here I am!

From what I've heard and read here on AK, amps/receivers from the early 2000s may be a good fit. What do you recommend for a 2-channel (i.e. stereo) amp/receiver/speakers based on my criteria, and what's a fair price to pay for the component(s) in used but proper working condition?

I get that there are lots of names and options out there - I'm just looking for some places to start my search and some knowledge of what stuff is worth. I'm happy to investigate links you post to related threads as well.
 
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welcome to ak and the slippery slope of the search for better sound! should get plenty of help here.
if you provide your general location, you might get more help locating specific items in your area. also, $25 will get you a membership on this site and into barter town. there are often deals to be had/kind folks willing to help you get started for a reasonable price there
 
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Thanks! I'll probably go for the membership, sounds like a good move. I'm located in the Minneapolis - St. Paul metro area.
 
Welcome to AK!

Getting a good deal on used gear is about as much about luck as anything. Tell us where you are at someone will scan through your local Craigslist and pick a couple of favorites to consider.

I would suggest looking at AVRs since they tend to sell cheap and make it easy to add a subwoofer if desired. Newer (and more expensive, of course) will get you "network" capabilities for stuff like internet radio, streaming, USB input, and so on. Older non-HDMI models can be dirt cheap. Here is a recent thread on the topic...someone helpfully pointed out that an AVR doesn't sound as good as his $5000 pre-amp/amp...you have been warned!
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...eivers-great-opportunity-budget-setup.875146/
 
Ok, interesting. So if I'm in the right place at the right time maybe I can pick up a AVR or surround-type amp/receiver for half or less of the cost of an entry-level NAD or other more "audiophile"-type integrated amp or separates? And not sacrifice sound quality by much?
 
To give you an idea of what you can do - I have a simple setup and I'm very happy with the sound. I have a NAD 3020 integrated amp, a NAD 5080 direct drive turntable (with Shure V15 ii cartridge), an ARCAM Alpha 5 CD player and a pair of small 2-way bookshelf speakers which are the classic EPI (Epicure) M100. Although the amp is low rated in watts and the speakers are only small 2-ways, for my space it's WAY more than enough volume and the quality of sound output is SWEET :-)

The amp cost me almost nothing and I bought a recap kit for it, which I fitted myself, so I'm into it about $70. The turntable was $80 and needed the RCA / ground cables replacing - easy job. The speakers required the crossover capacitors replacing but on the M100 it's just one capacitor on each woofer. I picked those speakers up for about $20.

Welcome to AK and get sniffing out those deals! If you are at all practical-minded, learn to solder and check out all the how-to Youtube videos for speaker repair. I'm no genius but I can get good gear really cheap just by having a go at simple repairs.
 
Interesting signature, is that your perceived spectrum of quality from high to low as you move from left to right? :cool:
 
If it were me and this were my budget,,,here's what I'd probably be looking for...
Sansui AU-317 Mk1 w/the pre-out ~ amp-in feature.
JBL LX-22 speakers.
Schiit modi 3 DAC.

Later on when the budget permited maybe add a nice 8"-10" sub for even better SQ.
Same deal if you ever wanted to explore vinyl,,,when the $$ is there you're ready to add a nice 'sui table.
I'd also probably add a TU-317 tuner at some point too.

And I'd save up some $$$ to have the AU-317 completely gone thru at some point as well.

I could easily live with that ^^^^ system for as long as necessary.
I know this as I absolutely enjoy my current AU-217/TU-217/SE-80 rack rig.
And the core components were well within this sorta budget.

JM2¢

Bret P.
 
cpen
Well, I have them all in the signature. From 1964 to 1978. The only losers are the Sylvania and Grundig. The rest are good or better. I'm partial to the Sherwood.
But I think the 1990's AVR is the best for the dollar on your deal. An example would be Pioneer Elite.
For the speakers maybe large Realistic Optimus or Nova. Good sound, available, affordable, and LOTS of parts. No sub needed, maybe.
If you go really old on the receiver a Pioneer SX-780 for $200 is a good unit. Getting anything good that old with more than 30 watts for less than $100 is unlikely.
 
xero-D-hero said:
If it were me and this were my budget,,,here's what I'd probably be looking for...
Sansui AU-317 Mk1 w/the pre-out ~ amp-in feature.
JBL LX-22 speakers.
Schiit modi 3 DAC.

Later on when the budget permited maybe add a nice 8"-10" sub for even better SQ.
Same deal if you ever wanted to explore vinyl,,,when the $$ is there you're ready to add a nice 'sui table.
I'd also probably add a TU-317 tuner at some point too.

And I'd save up some $$$ to have the AU-317 completely gone thru at some point as well.

I could easily live with that ^^^^ system for as long as necessary.
I know this as I absolutely enjoy my current AU-217/TU-217/SE-80 rack rig.
And the core components were well within this sorta budget.

JM2¢

Bret P.
Click to expand...
Awesome, this is helpful. Thanks for all the input so far folks. Planning to keep an eye on garage sales, thrift stores, CL (for DVRs mostly, seems like a lot of people want way too much for their stuff), and probably get the membership and scan barter town on here.
 
I recently re-bought the amp and speakers I started out with 20 years ago:

NAD C340: $130
NHT SuperOne: $150

It still sounds ridiculously good! If you’re patient set up some searches/notifications on that auction site and craigslist
 
OK, I love vintage (esp. toobs) but since we are looking for low maintenance with micro budget (totally relate) and no need for a tuner I would highly recommend one of the small 2+1 class D or class AB mini amps sold at places like PartsExpress as the nerve center of the system. these can be had for $50-$100 or so. I assume that since you mentioned spotify that you have a computer, phone or something like that that you will use for the source. Many of these mini amps also come with bluetooth recievers and or USB inputs. All you need then are some reasonable satellite speakers and an un-powered sub. Again places like PE even have nice kits if you want to engage in a little DIY. Should be able to get pretty close to budget and if you keep reasonable expectations can provide a lot of satisfaction for a starter. With the 2+1 amp you can even start with just the satellites and add the sub later in order to allow more money for the initial speaker purchase.

As more funds make themselves available you can procure (or better yet build) better speakers and in a few years you will be building your own tube amps to go along with them. :)
 
You would love my garage system. It features a S.M.S.L amp (160wrms per channel@4ohms) amp with volume control, an Audio Authority 5 input switcher, a S.M.S.L DAC/jump drive player and 2 DLK model 1 speakers all for under $300. Parts Express has the amp (new) at $110, but I bought mine used on the Bay for $70. The speakers were $100 on the Bay and the jump drive was also around $70 from the bay. It plays loud and clear. A system that can be built on. Add an FM tuner, no problem, want a turntable, add that and a separate phono preamp, no problem.

IMG_1969.JPG

IMG_1971.JPG

I have the "old" switcher in this photo, but my "rack" of tuners is there.

IMG_1973.JPG

Turntable is a Pioneer PL-514 belt drive for $15 dollars (new stylus for the Ortofon OM-10 and belt was around $65 dollars.\

IMG_1986.JPG
 
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cpenn said:
New to the forum - first post!

I'm interested in setting up a <$300 2-speaker stereo for my medium-sized bedroom. My main criteria is clear, full-range sound that I can crank up when I want (26yo male :D). Low maintenance is also a priority. I stream most my music from Spotify premium, but I'd like to keep it simple and pipe it in via aux cord. I mainly listen to pop, rock (Disturbed, Shinedown, Three Doors Down, etc), and a little country. I came into the high-end HiFi world from Crutchfield where I almost bought a Yamaha R-S202 and a pair of Polk TSi 200's new for $350. Then I read a few online articles that said if I'm not looking for the latest bells and whistles (I'm not), used higher-end names like NAD, Canton, etc. can get me better sound on a similar budget. Clear, full-range sound is my top priority, so here I am!

From what I've heard and read here on AK, amps/receivers from the early 2000s may be a good fit. What do you recommend for a 2-channel (i.e. stereo) amp/receiver/speakers based on my criteria, and what's a fair price to pay for the component(s) in used but proper working condition?

I get that there are lots of names and options out there - I'm just looking for some places to start my search and some knowledge of what stuff is worth. I'm happy to investigate links you post to related threads as well.
Click to expand...
Find a TECHNICS SA 400 or 500 or 600
And a set of OHM Acoustics Model L or C2
_DSC8035.JPG
Model L above

IMG_20190521_153751012.jpg
Technics SA 600 above

IMG_20180520_153940055.jpg
OHM Acoustics model C2
 
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Harvestor said:
Find a TECHNICS SA 400 or 500 or 600
And a set of OHM Acoustics Model L or C2
View attachment 1583186
Model L above

View attachment 1583195
Technics SA 600 above

View attachment 1583189
OHM Acoustics model C2
Click to expand...
That thing sure is cool looking, especially when it's dark I'm sure. I'll keep that in mind. I'm planning to go check out a 1988 Kenwood KA-770D tomorrow evening...$30-40. CL poster says it's in working condition but not sure about much else. I suppose this is something that might need some maintenance soon?
 
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