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How cheap can you go and still be happy with the sound?

I would think many guys on this forum are spoilt by the gear they have and never listen anymore on cheap rigs.

I was listening recently on my younger daughter’s PC audio rig and got reminded again of how good it sounds. There is a fairly high level of clarity, detail, tonal balance and great bass in this rig.

 

- Yamaha HS8 powered monitors: $700 to $800

- Yamaha WXC-50 MusicCast streamer+dac+preamp: $450, often found on A4L for around $300

- Audioquest Powerquest PQ3 (was around $200 or so)

 

IMO, this would qualify as a high quality (sonically) charity price hifi rig for any younger or older person w.r.t small room nearfield or midfield listening.

 

What is the cheapest rig that has brought you happiness these days?

 

deep_333

Showing 1 response by johnread57

johnread57's avatar
johnread57
238 posts
 

Perhaps another sample from the used purchases category that I regard as great value some are not low budget…

Audio Research D240 MKII - original cost USD$900

Audio Research LS10 - original cost $1100

Audio Research Ref CD9- original cost $6000

This is a complete set up. Just add speakers.

The CD9 doubles as a DAC for any streamer source (I use the Cambridge MXN10). It’s the best DAC I’ve ever heard.

I know this can’t possibly fit this brief. 
Today I’ve lost the LS10, it blew its power module. I replaced with an Marantz AV8805 that I have on hand. It sounds incredible playing through the D240 MKII! It’s such a music amplifier.

Sorry for this high quality interlude. It’s an avenue.

 

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