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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Want to build home audio system

    I don't have a TV, so I'm not looking for surround sound.

    I just want a simple receiver/cd player and two decent speakers to listen to music. I'd also like to have a line in so I could hook my computer and/or Ipod to the setup. Having the ability to add other components would be nice (record player mostly)


    Looking to spend around $300-400.

    Any thoughts or other websites to look around on?
    "These are crazy times Mr Hatter, crazy times. Crazy like Buddha! Muwahaha!"

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    to be honest, i think the best bang for your buck will be to get a simple 2.1 system. and buy a cd player separate, could even use your computer for that.
    I have Altec lansing setup that is nice and i just this setup for my little brother and it pounds:

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1186003898407

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    This may or may not be what you're looking for:
    KRK powered speakers

    These are basically VERY nice computer speakers. Plug in any line-in source and get very nice sound out. I am really happy with mine hooked up to tv, computer, or ipod. The only downside is that you only get one line-in plug, so if you want to easly handle lots of different sources you'll need a "reciever".

    A pair of these + an ipod dock blows away anything else in its price range and is just plain simple.

  4. #4
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    I feel like Phunk.


    If I wanted computer speakers I would have just asked: "What are the best computer speakers around?"
    Last edited by char; 03-13-2009 at 02:47 PM.
    "These are crazy times Mr Hatter, crazy times. Crazy like Buddha! Muwahaha!"

  5. #5
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    Feb 2006
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    Ebay...used separates.

  6. #6
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    May 2006
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    you got 2 good tips buster brown, so what if they're "computer" speakers...

    if you're a snobby audiophile, you should probably up your $range a bit...

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Used receiver and cd player on ebay and a set of these would make a nice budget system.

    Review of speakers

  8. #8
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    May 2002
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    You haven't said what kind of space you're trying to fill or how much power you want. You can still buy an old fashioned audio receiver (amp, tuner, a few inputs for tape, CD and record player) or a bookshelf system (integrated amp, tuner with at least one extra input and separate speakers). You're not getting much for $400. You really have to listen to the system since there's a big difference in sound at any price point. (And if it has an iPod dock make sure it supports the new iPods (like the Touch) since Mr. Jobs changed the interface.
    If you have a problem & think that someone else is going to solve it for you then you have two problems.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Again, ebay.
    Search for NAD. Great stuff for the price new, even better used.

    Should be able to find an older integrated amp or receiver:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-7220PE-Recei...QQcmdZViewItem

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-7250-7250PE-...QQcmdZViewItem

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-3020-AMP_W0Q...QQcmdZViewItem


    Pick up a cheap CD player:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-MONITOR-SERI...QQcmdZViewItem

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-502-Compact-...QQcmdZViewItem

    Should leave a couple Cs for speakers.
    Last edited by Roxtar; 03-13-2009 at 03:26 PM.
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    But hey, I'm sure your kids will be sharp as tacks.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    Seriously, it should be no problem at all to put together a very solid system off ebay, with quality components, assuming you know what you're looking for...

    CD player: $50-$75

    Bookshelf speakers: $100-$150
    OR
    Floor Standing speakers: $100-200

    2 Channel Receiver: $50-$150
    OR
    Integrated Amplifier: $100-$200
    OR
    Amp and Pre-amp: $150-$200

    Keep in mind I'm talking about real deal, mid-range hi-fi gear from the 1990's here, that is selling for 10-20% of it's original retail price. Not the plastic BS you would get at bestbuy etc.
    Last edited by Damian Sanders; 03-13-2009 at 03:25 PM.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Roxtar View Post
    Again, ebay.
    Search for NAD. Great stuff for the price new, even better used.

    Should be able to find an older integrated amp or receiver:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-7220PE-Recei...QQcmdZViewItem

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-7250-7250PE-...QQcmdZViewItem

    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-3020-AMP_W0Q...QQcmdZViewItem


    Pick up a cheap CD player:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-502-Compact-...QQcmdZViewItem

    Should leave a couple Cs for speakers.
    ........or Rotel, Marantz, or many others.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
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    Toronto
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    If you're not averse to old ("vintage") stuff, you should be able to get a nice solid state system together. Check out the forums at audiokarma.org for specific advice: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

    Edit: in addition to brands already mentioned, I would look at receivers from Sansui, Pioneer, Luxman.
    Last edited by Vasya-s-Marsa; 03-13-2009 at 03:47 PM.

  13. #13
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    oregon
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    Roxtar and Damien, thanks. Thats the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

    Smaller room, 10x20.

    I'm not an audiophile. I've just always wanted to put together my own system and don't like anything I've seen at bestbuy/etc.
    Last edited by char; 03-13-2009 at 03:40 PM.
    "These are crazy times Mr Hatter, crazy times. Crazy like Buddha! Muwahaha!"

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    What DS or Roxtar said. Old separates go for basically no money because they take up lots of room and everyone wants 5.1 for their "home theater" system.

    For components, anything pre-digital made in Japan, UK, or USA before about 1985 (or anything made by NAD, Marantz, Rotel, etc.) will sound great and sell for peanuts. Try the local thrift stores: if it weighs a ton, doesn't contain an 8-track tape or say "Sears" or "Radio Shack" on it, and was obviously made before digital, you're good. (Stay away from vacuum tubes, though.)

    I'm not up on my speakers these days...someone else will have to take that one.

  15. #15
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    The Nakamichi Stasis receivers from the late 80 are outstanding. I use one in the garage.

    Edit- For CD, look for an old Rotel 865 or 965. Those were good. Also see if you can find some used Arcam or California Audio Labs equipment.
    Last edited by Viva; 03-13-2009 at 06:19 PM.
    Daniel Ortega eats here.

  16. #16
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    As much as I like older gear, electronics do wear out and switches and pots (e.g. volume, treble, bass) get dirty and noisy. But I guess you expect that on ebay. If I was putting together a little system it would be at least 50W/channel RMS (that's the lowest official number; ignore any "peak" power claims) and a base reflex speaker (it has a port or hole for higher efficiency) rated at at least half the amp with at least a 6" woofer. Speakers wear out too. I've had my old speakers rebuilt a few times.Crispy's BB speakers seem to get good reviews and are pretty cheap.
    If you have a problem & think that someone else is going to solve it for you then you have two problems.

  17. #17
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    I don't think I was that far off in my suggestion, so screw you, I shouldn't have tried to help.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by jondrums View Post
    I don't think I was that far off in my suggestion, so screw you, I shouldn't have tried to help.
    Sorry dude, didn't mean to offend I was just trying to stave off an onslaught of "hey check out these computer speakers you can plug an ipod into!"

    If thats what I wanted those would be a good option.
    "These are crazy times Mr Hatter, crazy times. Crazy like Buddha! Muwahaha!"

  19. #19
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    sorry char - I probably took it the wrong way.
    having a tough week, but that's another story...

  20. #20
    Skis's Avatar
    Skis is offline It's one louder, isn't it
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    Spend most of your money on the speakers, that's where you'll notice the biggest differences in sound quality. I personally like Klipsch. I have a pair of RB-25 speakers. They cost $300. I picked up a Sony STR-DE197 Receiver, which is their most basic model. Sure, a fancier receiver might sound a little better, but it's better to buy $300 speakers and a $100 receiver than to buy $200 speakers and a $200 receiver. It's worth listening to speakers. Go to a speaker store. I'm not sure where in Oregon you are, but hopefully you can find one that's not best buy but also not $1000 speakers. Bring your own music (that's well recorded...) and don't let them crank things up to earsplitting levels. Let your ear decide, not brand or anything else. (Hint: Bose sucks.)

  21. #21
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    Apr 2006
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    You can check audiogon.com as well. Probably will be on the pricier end, but you can find people unload decent stuff for good prices. If you don't listen to the radio, look at integrated amps instead of a receiver. I have a music hall 25.2 which is awesome for the price, thought the 300-400 you would pay for the amp is your whole budget. For speakers, B&W bookshelves can be found at decent prices (I think around $250-300 for the ones I got). I'd invest the most in speakers as Skis said. Also could look at Polk or Paradigm for reasonably priced OK speakers.

    Here's some decent B&W bookshelves for $350 (yeah, near the max of your budget, but worth it)

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls..../B-W-DM-601-S3

    Some Paradigm bookshelves for $300

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-Studio-20s-v2
    Last edited by jon turner; 03-14-2009 at 06:33 PM.
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  22. #22
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    Check out the Infinity P162s if you're looking for a bookshelf speaker. I bought them after doing a lot of research online. From the reviews I read they blow away speakers three and four times their price. I'm not an audiophile, but I've been very happy with them for music. Here's the link for them on crutchfield, maybe you can find 'em cheaper elsewhere:

    http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P162...le.html?tp=186

  23. #23
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    I enjoy Klipsch home audio. For the dollar they sound great. You can hear them at any Best Buy also.

    Klipsch B-3's pack a bit of punch to them, and you can find Klipsch speakers on sale at Best Buy from time to time if you look.

    They sound awesome listening to music, or home theater use. I even use their subs, although I heard Velodyne makes a great subwoofer.

    If you use Klipsch speakers you will definitely thank yourself for it. Speakers are subjective like skiing though, so go listen to them.

  24. #24
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    Whatever speakers you get, make sure the woofer cones have rubber surrounds -- especially if you buy used. Foam surrounds rot over time and leave the speaker useless.

  25. #25
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    Rotel or Nad receivers sound best.

    PBN, Paradigm, Mirage, or other Canadian speakers are best bang for the buck-gov. actually subsidizes heavily.
    NHT is best US brand.

    x2 on the audiogon site-great deals
    Life of a repo man is always intense.

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