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Really Inexpensive Systems That Sounded Great?

I think there is a big difference between "cheap" and inexpensive. I have blown money on "cheap" cables and immediately regretted it when my ears started bleeding from the brightness in my digital components. I also don’t mean "bargains" like the time I scored $2000 speakers for $200 on Craigslist, that is basically luck.

I am talking about inexpensive (less than $1500) for a system that sounded really great to you.

I fell into a whole house audio system from DTS Play-Fi because I wanted to try and compare different brands. I picked up Play-Fi amps, preamps and active speakers made by Polk, Paradigm, Klipsch, Onkyo and DefTech all for less than $1000 a pop. For what it is, whole house audio/casual listening it sounds great.

What inexpensive great sounding systems have you tried?

 

kota1
vinylguy2016
22 posts
 

I have a true vintage system that I still love after many years of use:

Dynaco Stereo 80 Amplifier (built from a kit) bought used for $100;

Marantz 7T peramp, personally recapped - $300;

AR-2ax Speakers purchased by me in 1966 for $259 and reconditioned by me for $50;

Technics SL-6 Linear Tracking Turntable - Free and repaired by me;

Grado P-ZTE+1 Cartridge fitted with new Grado stylus - $100;

Sherwood TD-7010R Stereo Tuner purchased in 1991 - $129;

Vintage equipment is a good choice for anyone who is willing to do a bit of restoration work.  The end result sounds delicious.  The AR speakers are still in great demand for their smooth natural sound.  The Sherwood Tuner is amazing for a budget unit and has needed no reconditioning work.

kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

Marantz 7t- that’s a score

 

wdlvwdlv
1 posts
 

The time me and my brother went into a hifi store in NYC (Stereo Exchange, I think). I went in to buy speaker cables and they happened to be auditioning B&W Rock Solid monitors. My brother and I were floored at how amazing these little speakers sounded and what a great value price wise they were as well.

Long story short, my brother went back the next day and picked up a pair, that was definitely a great purchase.

thinkinginventor123's avatar
thinkinginventor123
37 posts
 

@vinylguy2016 

Sounds like a great system! Vintage gear sounds so good once recapped. Even with new speakers sounds special compared to new stuff. 

I've tried new equipment and I aways go back to vintage. :)

We got Focal's 816 little towers for the living room, wife approved and they sound very good with marantz gear or HK. $900 a pair.  

doodle6
72 posts
 

We have so many systems that they’re doubled up in several rooms.  Best bang for the buck is Dynaco ST70, PAT5, BMR Philharmonitors.  Under $2000 for entire system.  Second contender is Luxman 5C50 pre, Elekit TU8600S, and Heathkit AS-101 speakers (Altec Valencias in Heath livery) for about $2K again.  All systems are linked together with Bluesound.  

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