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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
kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

@drbarney1 

Get a book on vacuum tube design and go for SET in the preamplifier and amplifier

Can you post a link?

daveselbow's avatar
daveselbow
4 posts
 

KEF LS50 wireless - my system

KEF LS50W mk2 

both unbeatable at the price

kef engineers have packed in a bi-amp bi-dac dual mono amp set up in both that as a complete system is unbeatable at those price ranges. The mk1 is impressive, the mk2 moves it all on leaps with 380W/p/c of custom amplification - everything is designed to work with each other.

daveselbow's avatar
daveselbow
4 posts
 

You just have instant ‘system synergy’ as every part is designed for the system

that the whole (the sound) is bigger than the sum of the parts

kota1 OP
2,706 posts
 

@daveselbow 

+1, that type of system could not be built for the cost of those speakers, maybe even for 2-3 times more.

peterf6
74 posts
 

To the OP's original question, because I recently decided to retire some old gear that  failed and tried to find new reliable gear on a budget (rather than looking for 30-yr old "finds" with fingers crossed or counting on repairs).

Schiit Freya (original version), plus I ignored everyone (because I have a small room) and bought Maggie LRS and a Schiit Aegir. Smaller REL sub-bass. With an ifi Zen Stream and Tidal Hifi/Masters. Sound is delightful. Price below $1k per component. 

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