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

@inna I usually agree with or at least acknowledge your contributions, but this seems a bit out of touch. $10-$15K minimum for "good" sound? Nah. My system now’s total cost is about $4500 and sounds much better than my previous $12K system.

But on a more important note, I’m also blissfully happy listening to music in my classroom system played on a Craigslist-bought Technics SL-B30 ($45) with a new AT85 cartridge ($39) and belt ($12) played through a Schiit Mani ($99) into AudioEngine A5+ speakers (also CL - $129).

Let’s not be ridiculous. Good sound has a cost and it should. I don’t think there is anything under $10k-$15k that would qualify. Assuming one source.

@inna I totally understand that..., but, frankly or somehow, i either managed to lower my expectations on scale, etc while sitting nearfield.....or maybe, it has to do with the fact that an enormous amount of recordings to this day can be traced back to some Yamaha monitor....not too sure, but, it sounded quite good/was enjoyable for charity price.

I am a Linn fan with multiple active room corrected systems….put a jbl bar 700 in my new guest house.  For $/650 easy peasy good sound with no wires at all on rears so can take out on porch for evening stereo. Also have quad outdoor speakers definitive technology on the dock powered by Yamaha and sounds good.  Getting old helps but the original is still exceptional 

Let's not be ridiculous. Good sound has a cost and it should. I don't think there is anything under $10k-$15k that would qualify. Assuming one source.

As cheap.......or as expensive as will satisfy your musical preferences!!!  

I put together a top notch ear monitor setup using existing iphone and Roon streaming software for <$200.

Cost goes up from there for other applications depending mainly on room size and other more subjective considerations. Multiple source devices will also up the cost accordingly.

I  have <$3k invested in my family room system which I suspect is one that most people might be able to live with.

I’ve managed to bring down the cost of my "reference" system by several K in recent years but still way more than any of these.

Over the last fifty years each upgrade has represented an improvement over the last. First for my main system, then I added a separate headphone system and upgraded it slowly as well. I guess it would be really hard to go backwards at all. I have put an enormous effort into making them better and better.

Wharfedale Diamond 225 - $300 (more low-end extension) or

Sony SSCS 5 $198 (more airy bigger soundstage)

Fosi v3 w/ 32 volt SMPS - $72

Wiim Pro Plus - $220

Mica Awg 14 speak cable $25

RCA cable - World Best cable Mogami 2964 - $27

Total: $644 plus tax (w/ Wharfedale); $542 plus tax (w/ Sony).

No PC please.

Wow.  Does this ring any bells?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but, a 11 by 12 closet is not hifi, it is about as lofi as it gets for a room. That Hegel isn’t hifi either. Hence, you’re just not a hifi guy anymore ..you are a midfi/lofi kinda guy ( and such is life).

Just don’t overthink it, get whatever li’l box, put it in the 11 by 12 closet, lower all expectations and make do with it.. If you restrict your playlist to female vocals @ 60db, everything should work fine (make you feel like you’re very hifi or something).

God bless.

The setup I had before my current one consisted of a Yamaha S301 integrated, some Polk Monitor 7s I’ve had since new in 1989, a Sunfire True Super Jr sub, and a MacBook Pro for streaming and digital library.  I think it cost a total of $2000 or so.  It sounded really good for what it was.  I could likely enjoy something costing much less choosing the right components.