New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 1 Registered: Jul-06 | I need a new stereo for my new pad but I'm strapped for cash. My budget is between 300-500usd for everything. I don't even own a television and this is by no means a home theatre system. For music and music only. I'm not positive that I can build anything that doesn't truly suck with that price range, so I wouldn't mind at all building a cheapo rig from used components. The problem is I don't really know what brands and product lines I should be keeping an eye out for. Thanks! |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 2 Registered: Jul-06 | I forgot to add a few things too. I'll need a reciever, a set of speakers, and a cd player that can hold a decent amount of discs. I'm unsure about a subwoofer though. I like to feel my music quite a bit, but I don't want stupid boomy ghetto bass so I don't know if a sub is necessary or not. |
Gold Member Username: GavincummNew York USA Post Number: 1227 Registered: Feb-05 | how big is your room? |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 3 Registered: Jul-06 | well guestimating was never my thing but it'll be in a room about 15'x15'. Another question, if anyone gets around to answering some of these for me, are big floor speakers (generally) better than book shelf. The main reason I ask is that a lot of good deals can be had on ebay, but it becomes much less of a good deal when you have to pay 70-80$ for shipping. Might be something I'll have to get locally. |
Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 3551 Registered: Dec-04 | So your ex got everythig, Bonk? jvc Kaboombox, 200 series, a fine multi-amp little kit. I love mine, it rips. |
Gold Member Username: Edster922Abubala, Ababala The Occupation Post Number: 4347 Registered: Mar-05 | hmm, lessee: Harman Kardon 3380 receiver, $200 shipped from jr.com Marantz 4300 cdp, $145 shipped from accessories4less.com Athena AS-B1.2 speakers, $135 shipped from audioadvisor.com ===== If you're adventurous you could substitute a $140 Super-T Amp for the HK receiver: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-956&raid=27&rak=300-956 Google it for reviews. |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 4 Registered: Jul-06 | Alright I looked up that stuff and it's pretty damn ace and downright almost perfect. A few questions though, if I could somehow save $100 by getting that stuff of ebay or maybe finding some more dough, would it be better to get a more robust reciever, with some more rms going through it especially. Or perhaps a better cd player like a NAD or Cambridge or something, or better speakers (I really have no idea for teh speakers though). Of course I could consider adding an active sub into the mix too, but I'm not sure if that would sound good or not. Thanks for teh recs. though, I dig them all. Exactly what I wanted everywhere. |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 5 Registered: Jul-06 | Ugh I wish so bad this BBS had edit...but I am watching a Rotel RX-1050 for a similar price and if I could get it at around the same money would this be a better option for a reciever. I know it has multiroom, which I doubt I'll ever use, but it puts out a bit more RMS (100/chnl) and I don't want to underpower those speakers too much, though I obviously recognize your superior wisdom in these matters; I'm merely entertaining my curiosities. |
Gold Member Username: Edster922Abubala, Ababala The Occupation Post Number: 4348 Registered: Mar-05 | don't fixate on wattage numbers, they are largely meaningless. The HK will be ample power for blasting those Athenas, the T-Amp should be good for loud but not blasting-levels and possibly provide better music SQ. As for better CD players, I doubt you'd be able to hear the difference if you are stuck with a cheap receiver and (esp.) cheap speakers. All depends on how much you can or want to spend; $300-500 is how much most people spend on a pair of speakers alone...and those being fairly modest speakers. |
Bronze Member Username: Eib_nationOhio EIB Nation Post Number: 56 Registered: Jul-06 | I agree with Nuck. On a budget that small, you should buy a boombox. Dont worry about building a system until you have more than a few hundred dollars to spend. |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 6 Registered: Jul-06 | I know my budget is pretty miniscule, but those boomboxes just don't do it for me. I just don't understand how the SQ and output can come anywhere close. I just don't know if I can come to terms with a KABOOMbox being my main rig, but I'll check it out no matter what. Thanks for the help. |
Bronze Member Username: StefanomSilver Spring, MD United States Post Number: 93 Registered: Apr-06 | You might check out something along the lines of this: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4043571 Onkyo makes some cheaper models such as this http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4055623 to which you could add a 5 disc changer (or more) and with the last one perhaps even a powered sub if you were so inclined. |
Silver Member Username: QuinnPost Number: 115 Registered: Aug-05 | If you have more money for this go for better speakers over a better amp. |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 7 Registered: Jul-06 | Alright I need to add another quirk in...I'm planning to get a synth in a couple months, would those Athena speakers be a decent choice for monitors as well as listening? |
New member Username: SynaethesiaPost Number: 8 Registered: Jul-06 | wahooo! just picked the hk reciever up off ebay for 88 smackers shipped! |