Good basic two channel receiver and speakers?
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New member Username: JaksMinneapolis, MN USA Post Number: 1 Registered: Aug-07 | I'm looking for a decent two channel receiver and some new speakers. I don't want to mess with surround equipment, but want a nice sound. I'm considering the Harman Kardon HK3480, and I also looked at Onkyo TX8522. (I want something that can still play vinyl without adding a preamp externally.) Any opinions on this, and what speakers to go with it? I was looking at Wharfedale and Fluance so far. I have some Whartfedale bookshelf speakers that I like. One of the features in the Onkyo receiver that was appealing was the ability to plug in an MP3 player. Is this something that could be done with the HK? Sorry for my ignorance on all this, but I haven't shopped for stereo equipment for ages and am just trying to catch up to the new technology. |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 5228 Registered: Feb-05 | What's the budget and listening preferences? Start by removing the Onkyo from your list. Do you need radio? Well that's a good starting point. |
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Silver Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 405 Registered: Dec-06 | I'll second what Art's already stated...lose the Onkyo. And forget about MP3. |
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New member Username: JaksMinneapolis, MN USA Post Number: 2 Registered: Aug-07 | I'm thinking $200-300 for a receiver and a couple hundred for a pair of speakers. Why do you say forget the mp3? Don't you think more and more music will be in that format? Yes, I listen to the radio a lot, but most of it is npr with some alt music stations and occasional classical thrown in. |
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Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 5231 Registered: Feb-05 | OK, so radio is important...that's a little more info. MP3 sound sucks is probably why he said forget it. But with a docking station you can hook them up to anything... HK 3480 receiver makes sense with Infinity Primus speakers. One of the best of the very inexpensive speakers. |
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Silver Member Username: KevincorrFairbanks, Alaska Usa Post Number: 146 Registered: Jul-07 | Then someone always comes along and says to pay more, ha. I have been coveting this: http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html Heck, only twice your budget. Are you looking at used? I got most of my gear used. I just got some great speakers half price. Take a look at AudiogoN. |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1233 Registered: Oct-04 | Receivers: Harmon Kardon 3480 $188 http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=HK %203480-Z&status= Marantz SR4320 $249 http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4320 NAD C720BEE $429 http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/C720Bee.asp |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1234 Registered: Oct-04 | Speakers: Infinity Beta 20 $199 http://cgi.ebay.com/INFINITY-BETA-20-CHERRY-NEW-PAIR-199-AUTHORIZED-SELLER_W0QQi temZ130142445980QQihZ003QQcategoryZ14991QQcmdZViewItem AV123 X-LS $219 http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1 Whafedale Diamond 9.2 $319 http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/tsto.storefront/EN/product/2615 Monitor Audio Silver S1 $399 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem%26item%3D320144851945 |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1235 Registered: Oct-04 | If budget wasn't an issue, I'd go with the NAD C720BEE & a pair of Paradigm Studio 20 v.4, and deal with a phono stage after the fact. |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 11090 Registered: May-04 | . http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/trends_ta10_e.html http://www.stereomojo.com/SHOOTOUT2007INTEGRATEDS.htm And an appropriate pair of monitor type standmount speakers. Get a sub if required. You can pick up a tuner or buy a used tuner or use the tuner from an older receiever if you have one. Or forget the tuner as a "hifi" source and just get a good table radio from Tivoli or Boston Acoustics which will probably sound better than a tuner thru a decent pair of speakers. With the correct speakers, which has to be considered with any receiver/amplifier, you won't believe how good music will sound for such low dollars with a T-amp design. . |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1240 Registered: Oct-04 | Jan, I'm just curious, do you have "good" FM radio stations in Dallas? There are 3 outstanding radio stations in NYC: 88.3 WBGO (Jazz & Blues) http://www.wbgo.org/index.php 89.9 WKCR (Jazz) http://www.columbia.edu/cu/wkcr/ 96.3 WQXR (Classical) http://www.columbia.edu/cu/wkcr/ ...and YES! the $150 Trends TA-10.1 is that good, and would be an excellent choice if you wish to go down that route. |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 11095 Registered: May-04 | . No. Most of our stations are crap. NPR's OK. There are a few low wattage college stations and publicly owned stations which broadcast with decent sound and interesting programming. The Dallas city owned "classical" station is more interested in pleasing the blue hairs with money to donate than playing really good material. But most of the FM dial is consumed by drek. Seventh largest city in the US. . |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1241 Registered: Oct-04 | You might want to explore this thread on a Modified Harmon Kardon 3485 https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/378770.html |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1242 Registered: Oct-04 | J&R has the HK3485 for $249 w/free shipping http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4186720 |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1243 Registered: Oct-04 | Sorry to read that Jan, check out those links. |
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New member Username: CtrulockPost Number: 3 Registered: Jul-07 | i have a yamaha rx-497 and ill admit its only 75 rms wpc but damn it sounds good! you can get one for like 300$. i think it really is a solid 75 wpc and has sub out and zone2 preamp out. all i need in a reveiver imo. |
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Silver Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 254 Registered: Jun-07 | http://www.stereomojo.com/SHOOTOUT2007INTEGRATEDS.htm Jan, going back to my argument at one point in this thread...https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/375760.html where sometimes more money DOES NOT mean a better quality in sound. Does this not somewhat prove that? Some audio products out there for the fraction of the price blow away some of the very expensive "high end" stuff. Or at least most people cant tell a difference in the sound. |
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New member Username: CtrulockPost Number: 4 Registered: Jul-07 | im thinking of skipping some meals and exchanging my 497 for a 797 yamaha. god i hate all of you! |
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Silver Member Username: ChicomoralessxmDutch islesCaribbean Post Number: 156 Registered: Feb-07 | Just wondering guys besides the outlaw what would you consider to be the best stereo receiver??? Just wondering??? |
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Silver Member Username: KevincorrFairbanks, Alaska Usa Post Number: 154 Registered: Jul-07 | "...best stereo receiver???..." At any price? If you mean that, there is probably one listed in the Absolute sound magazine recommended for $48,000. I am a new to this so don't go by me, but let me guess: Macintosh? |
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Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 808 Registered: Nov-06 | B&K used to make one that I liked, but I haven't seen it in a while. AFAIK, all of their receivers are now surround sound. |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 11101 Registered: May-04 | . KC - No "a" in McIntosh. We're talking audio here; right? "Some audio products out there for the fraction of the price blow away some of the very expensive "high end" stuff. Or at least most people cant tell a difference in the sound." Please remember the portion of the buying public interested in sound quality better than a receiver and speakers from a big box store is rather insignificant. If you asked a group of people whether they would rather spend money on audio or hug an illegal immigrant, the immigrants would finally win a vote. Consumer audio has always had bargain brands with one or two standout products that can chaellenge the higher priced products in many areas. They are typically more sensitive to system matching or offer some obvious trade off for their perfomance that higher priced equipment handles more easily and with greater finesse. Only a handful of these products remain years later to be considered classics. So, yes, you can always find a good bargain. It's much more difficult to find a good value. . |
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Silver Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 256 Registered: Jun-07 | Jan- understood. |
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Silver Member Username: KevincorrFairbanks, Alaska Usa Post Number: 162 Registered: Jul-07 | "KC - No "a" in McIntosh. We're talking audio here; right? " What, Apple doesnt make amps? You mean they are from the Beattles record label then! |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 11106 Registered: May-04 | . I don't know who the "Beattles" are. |
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Silver Member Username: KevincorrFairbanks, Alaska Usa Post Number: 164 Registered: Jul-07 | Didn't I say Beatles? |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1251 Registered: Oct-04 | Yes, the ULTIMATE Receiver would be a McIntosh (hold the A), and this would be it  The MHT200 w/TM-1 AM/FM Tuner Module http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=15&cat=&prodid=1052&product=MHT200 I've seen it, I've heard it, I want it...someday. |
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Silver Member Username: Mike3Wiley, Tx USA Post Number: 636 Registered: May-06 | Christopher, I was out looking for a good blues guitar and ran into a very capable salesman. He used Fender as an example, he stated where folks will buy a Fender, made in Mexico for $400. Then they will by fender made in Asia for like $800, getting $200 in trade on their made in Mexico Fender. Next they get a $1100 Fender, getting $400 in trade from their made in Asia Fender. Finally they buy the Fender they really wantd for $1600, getting $550 in trade for the last Fender they had. Let's see, $1600 for the Fender they wanted for $2,750. Or they could have just saved up and bought the original one for $1,600 less any negotiable discounts since they would not have had anything to trade. That is how I bought my Gibson B.B. King Lucille. Choose your path. |
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Silver Member Username: ChicomoralessxmDutch islesCaribbean Post Number: 157 Registered: Feb-07 | CM that MCint. looks like a beast!! what the price on it??? |
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Silver Member Username: KevincorrFairbanks, Alaska Usa Post Number: 184 Registered: Jul-07 | http://search.ebay.com/mcintosh-mht200_W0QQfclZ4QQfnuZ1QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1 |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 1256 Registered: Oct-04 | $6900 + TM-1 |
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Silver Member Username: TwebbzOakland Park, Florida USA Post Number: 493 Registered: Apr-04 | To get back on track....The HK3480 is a "best buy". I've purchased from www.jr.com a few times and I've always been completely satisfied. The MP3 format does not contain all the musical data in the original recording. The sound is degraded. For speakers, I like Energy and B&W. Here's an Energy Link...The C-200. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC200 The B&W 685 http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2301&sc=hf In the future you could upgrade with an Outlaw Subwoofer. www.outlawaudio.com |
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