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Want to Acquire a Decent HI-FI System for $750ish. Seeking advice!

Mathyooper

Mathyooper

New Member
HELP! I'll apologize up front for the long post asking for advice, but I'm really a noob, and I'm kinda lost, but am also desperately type-A about internet research and getting some good sound for not much money.

Hi Everyone, I'm new to these forums. I'm 51 years old and have been a music lover my whole life, yet I've never had a decent HI-FI system. The closest thing was an ok all Technics system - surround sound receiver (might have been an SA-GX490), CD player, and speakers I bought back in the Circuit City days. I then found a used turntable that lasted a few years. Sold all that along with most my things (record collection too - ugh!) due to a new baby and cross country move in 2006. Since then I've bought a number of cheap vintage receivers from garage sales that always break in no time and which weren't even decent enough to merit repairing. The last few years it's just been Pandora and Spotify through my iPhone or computer to powered speakers.

I'm sick of it!

I decided I'd get into decent HI-FI, building up a system as I can afford to. So I recently bought an Audio-Technica AT-LP120 turntable. Since it has a phono amp, I figured I'd plug in into a sound bar for now and in a few months get a decent amp/receiver, then speakers. In the meantime I could start listening to vinyl again! Yeah.. didn't work out so well. The platter was a bit warped (or it was the spindle) and the sound from the built-in pre-amp was... not inspiring! Just returned it.

So, I want a good system, and DANG IT if I'm not gonna get it! Money or not! So, I'm selling my iPhone, returning recently bought merchandise, using a gift certificate, and throwing a few bucks in...and it looks like I'll have about $750 to spend (of which $225 is an Amazon gift card). I don't want just another ok system for $750. I figure I could have that for about $400-500, or less. We've got 3 little kids and money is always tight. If I'm gonna spend $750 I really want to have some quality sound for that price with components that are good enough that I can upgrade one piece at a time as I can afford to and constantly have better sound. I know I can't have an amazing system for that price, but it looks like I should be able to get a better sounding stereo than anything I've ever had. This means I'll need to find really good bargains/sales. Having good taste but not much money, I've been doing that all my life!

Here's what I'm thinking:

Integrated amp, bookshelf speakers, turntable, cheap speaker stands.

Maybe a used CD player.

I live in the rural U.P. of Michigan, hours away from any city centers. Got to buy online, or maybe used in Duluth, MN or Minneapolis and can have a friend pick it up.

AMP - Thinking maybe I can find a reconditioned NAD 3020 for about $300. Or maybe a working one for much less then have it reconditioned later when I can afford it. But I'm wondering if new $300ish amps might sound as nice as an old NAD. In particular I have read good things about the sound of the Onkyo A-9010. It's $300 on Amazon. Even cheaper on Touchboards.com and Newaudiounited.com. Anybody ever buy from either of those websites? Or maybe a different new amp. Or different used one. I just want some really enjoyable sound. I want a sound that makes me as happy as people always said the NAD 3020 made them! I'd like a tuner, but I can always buy one later. Or am I thinking all wrong about this?

BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS - I'm reading a lot of good things about bookshelf speakers. I'm thinking of the ELAC Debut B6 for $279/pr or a little less on a scratch and dent type sale. Also considering the Philharmonic AA for $195/pr plus shipping. Looking around it seems that every few months KEF knocks down the price of their $500ish Q100 speakers to about $300/pr. I'm gonna guess that they might do that in April when ELAC comes out with their Uni-Fi UB5 bookshelf speakers, which are supposed to be phenomenal, best-thing-ever-for-$500/pr speakers. Those KEF Q100s can be found right now for $419. I figure I'll wait 'til April 4th when ELAC releases the Uni-Fi, and if the KEFs aren't available for $300 I'll pick up a pair of the ELAC Debut B6s or Philharmonic AAs, keep them for a year then sell and buy the new Uni-Fis if they are as awesome as they are supposed to be. Or might I be thinking all wrong about this?

SPEAKER STANDS - I haven't much looked into stands, but I'm hoping to find something good and inexpensive on a closeout or return or???? Any suggestions?

TURNTABLE - Thinking this is where I can save some money by buying used. Looks like there are used decent Technics, and others, out there for $75-$150 that with a new cartridge will sound as good as a new $300 - $500 TT. Not stuck on any one TT, just want something that sounds really good. Does this sound reasonable?

CD PLAYER - I want to listen to vinyl, but I have boxes of old CD I haven't opened in years I'd like to listen to. I'm thinking I'll get a CD player later. Might need to know whether the amp I buy has a DAC or not, to decide which CD player.

And the other question I have is I'm wondering if buying from overseas is an option. Like probably the UK. Specifically I'm wondering if I could consider an old 3020 NAD amp OR the UK version of a new Onkyo A-9010. They sell it without the DAC and supposedly with that money saved they were able to tweak it to give it a better sound. I'm not even really sure if the good stuff I'm hearing about that amp is mostly from people with the UK version or the U.S. one! And it can come in silver, too. What would I need to do to play a UK amp here in the U.S.?

Anyway, thanks for getting through all that if you did! Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Turntable - I like the U-Turn Orbit for $179, $199 after shipping. Pick you own color!
Amp - I am extremely disappointed with my most recent Malaysian made Onkyo. This has made me leery of the recent Onkyo and Yamaha offerings. I tossed it in a closet and plugged in a recently serviced Technics SA-222 from 1983. The difference is night and day. There is a serviced SA-222 on ebay for $100.
Speakers - If you can swing TT and Receiver for $300 then I would wait a couple weeks and spring for those new Elac Uni-Fi UB5's.
CD Player - Honestly they all sound excellent to me. I can't tell the difference between DVD players and upper end stuff.
DAC - I'm behind the technology curve. I just listen to LP's, CD's, Cassettes and Radio.
 
Used:
Speakers; Polk Monitor 5's $150
Integrated amp; Kenwood KA 4006 $130
CD player; Sony DVP-NS900V $80,
TT, Kenwood KD500 $350-$400 with cartridge

This will get you where you want to go.

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Kingshead said:
Used:
Speakers; Polk Monitor 5's $150
Integrated amp; Kenwood KA 4006 $130
CD player; Sony DVP-NS900V $80,
TT, Kenwood KD500 $350-$400 with cartridge

This will get you where you want to go.

159737-polk_audio_monitor_series_5_______nice.jpg


572658-kenwood_ka8006_integrated_amp.jpg


x158DVPNS9H-o_WFL.jpeg


maxresdefault.jpg
Click to expand...
Great choices but the possibilities are nearly endless and that's a good thing.Welcome to AK.
 
The new Yamaha integrateds are a good bang for the buck, and some of them have a built in DAC and phono stage, and you can get them well within your budget and use your Amazon gift card money to apply to the purchase--and Amazon has a fantastic return policy, should you not like it. For a TT, I'd go vintage rather than new, since most of the "inexpensive" new tables that I have played with have some significant "weaknesses", kind of like you experienced with your AT120. If you go with an external DAC or a built-in DAC in the integrated, any CD/DVD player with a digital out will work as a drive for playing CDs. For speakers, you might want to consider some of the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer bookshelf speakers--he has left Pioneer, but the speakers are still out there and frequently discounted pretty heavily--again, available on Amazon, so you could apply your gift card and they are returnable. If you need an external phono stage (if the integrated doesn't have one), the ArtDJ II is under $50 any day of the week, and again, available on Amazon at that price. Not plugging Amazon, but I have never had a bad experience with them yet, and realizing that you probably need to order online, they are a good option. All of this can be put together well within your budget and maybe even leave you a little change for a couple new albums.

Good luck!!!
 
I'd second the new Yamahas. You can get a A-S301 on the above mentioned site for $300 now or, if you're feeling more flush, the A-S501. I have the latter and really like it. The phono stage is good enough to start out with and you can eventually add the Emotiva XPS-1 ($150, AK reviews here) http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....s-1-the-next-great-budget-phono-stage.564717/)
Above mentioned Andrew Jones bookshelf speaker also get good reviews - $130.
Google Audio Chromecast for streaming music - $35, works great with the Yamahas.
Turntable - can go used, or many folks here like the U-Turn ($200).

All of that stuff is available online and with returns/exchanges available. I can personally vouch for the Yamaha, Chromecast and Emotiva.
 
Definitely the Yamaha integrated amps. Buying new will eliminate the chances of having to do fix up.
The UTurn turntable is a nice reliable manual TT, but you already have a turntable, so just stick with it for now.

Speakers are tough because of personal taste. I like KEF and Polk, but there are other choices. The Dayton B652 Air is a nice low price unit.

An Internet capable tuner is also a great way to go.
 
teal'c said:
I think most people would consider these worth repairing if they broke.
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I agree that most of that list would (to me) be worth investing in repairs or restoration; however, the OP is on a limited budget, and not likely going to have an extra few hundred lying around if his "new to me" system "s**ts the bed" next week--and we all know that is a possibility. That is the only reason I recommended new--the warranty card. I have all vintage gear and know full well that anything can go wrong for no reason at any time--it is what it is, and I know this. You can snag a used cheap CDP or TT pretty much anytime, but the receiver/integrated is the "core" of the system, and generally the most difficult/expensive to replace.
 
Speakers first... Well not actually. Instead get a nice pair of headphones (or good ear-buds) with some adapters so you can audition hardware w/o speakers hooked up. Quickest and easiest way to play things to see if the noise floor is elevated, or you have one bad channel, etc.

But speakers and auditioning them is crucial. In the interim, any AVR from CL will do to get basic sounds while you look for the used pieces you rally want. Then it can go into the garage system, or back on CL to get your money back.

The transducers are always the hardest parts. Speakers and TT/Cartridges. The other stuff is close enough to mostly be interchangeable until well into this hobby ...
 
just dave said:
Great choices but the possibilities are nearly endless and that's a good thing.Welcome to AK.
Click to expand...

Agreed, could change the amp to the KA-7100 and still be within budget, the speakers to Klipsch KG-3.2s a little over budget, or maybe some sweet little Infinity RS-325s. Only caveat on the Infinity speaks may need new foam surrounds if not recently replaced.
 
Yamaha A S501 integrated amp , Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 or Wharfedale Dentons . I don't usually recommend speakers because hearing is subjective but I will say that the Wharfedale Diamonds will make pretty much anyone happy .
 
Mathyooper, welcome to AK!

The "A new challenge! What's the best system you can build for under $500?" thread in "New Gear - Values" is a good one.

You may want to consider getting a T-amp, scrounging a disc player, and taking your time looking for the vinyl setup. While the NAD 3020 is a good instinct, and has phono, they are getting on in years, and a failure could be a real setback for you, at the prices they command today. In terms of known-good sound quality, if not features, this is today's NAD 3020, IMO:



They are $26, and have true, high fidelity sound, which will keep you from settling for worse should you decide to move on. I think you are on the right track for speakers, but as folks say, they affect the sound the most and are the most subject to personal preference. Used is a good route for budget vinyl front end, but impatience can lead to disappointment. At least this way you'll have tunes in the meantime.

Good luck and happy listening!

:music:
 
Since the OP is on a limited budget I'd suggest to save some money:
1. Don't buy speakers stands. If you're more or less handy - build them yourself (many examples are here on AK).
Or you can use something like old night stands, crates, cinder blocks - whatever...until additional funds are available.
2. Buy some second hand DVD player. They are dirt cheap and are good enough as CD players. If there will be an itch to upgrade you can always get back to it.

Just my 0.02 c
 
Just glanced through and am loving all the advice! Thanks a bunch, and feel free to lay as much of your thoughts on me as you like! I'll look it over more thoroughly when I have time tonight.
 
I would picked up a nice Sansui (single digit, **1 or *0*0 series), Realistic or old Sherwood receiver. KEF speakers are a great idea. As for a turntable, there are plenty of used options out there. Technics are plentiful and good. Pick up a pair of speaker stands (if you even need them), speaker wire, banana connectors and a AUX cord off of Amazon (shouldn't be more then $80). If your turntable needs a cart/stylus, pick up the Ortofon Omega off Amazon for $35.
Dig deep on Ebay, Craigslist or Barter town on here.

My system is a Sansui 6 (Ebay), Denon DP-30L (Craigslist), KEF C7's (Craigslist), Ortofon cartridges (have 2), Playstation2 slim with wireless remote for CD player (Goodwill), 14G Amazon speaker wire, Monoprice plugs and a aux cord (Ebay) and a pair of Samson SR850 (Adorama). I paid a total of $575.
 
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Hallo up there, eh? :D

Those ELAC speakers are indeed a nice prospect. I am going to check them out at AXPONA in a few weeks. You can also find those Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers readily, and those might be a good bet.

One thing that concerns me is your location. Buying used equipment is always a crap shoot. I have had very good luck over the past few decades, but there will always be "that one" which gives you problems. Where you're at, repair probably involves boxing it up and shipping it out just to get a diagnosis. Then, deciding if the estimate is worth the repair, and return shipping costs on top of that. There is also no guarantee new equipment will not fail, yet at least you should have a warranty backing it up. At least where I'm at, there are some repair shops around.

But don't consider this a one-time purchase. My primary system has built up over the course of 40+ years, starting in my early teens. Needing an entire system all at once puts a constraint on what you can spend on individual components, whereas in my case, I was able to replace small basic components with better ones as I came into the money to do it. Example--you could go to a chain store and buy a cheap DVD player just as a basic unit to play back CDs, or even a cheap used one, with the intention of upgrading it in a couple of years as funds permit. At least you could then push few dollars more towards vinyl, integrated amp and speakers that way.

With used equipment, you get better bang for the buck. Just be certain it is well cared for, or even refurbished. It is harder with mechanical items that might have hidden wear.
 
I second the suggestion of a good set of headphones. Grade S60 and S80 are a great entry level headphone and I know from experience that with little ones in the house, it's easier to listen through headphones more often than not! Also an older set of Paradigm Atoms or Titans for bookshelves are really good and reliable bookshelf speakers for the money.
 
Another vote for the U-Turn TT. It's one of the few audio related things I bought new. Very simple to set up and operate, sounds very good, and is practically silent.
 
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