2. misc-audio
  3. 1308263631

Rookie looking amp/receiver advice

I am attempting to put a decent "quality" system together for my son. I have about $500 left to spend. Currently have him a set of Monitor Audio BR2's for his mains. This will be his personal stereo for his dorm/room only for the next 4 years as he is headed to college in September.
I currently have BR2's hooked up to my old Yamaha RX-V495 receiver and an old Sony CD player. My question is would I see a big improvement in sound quality with a decent amp/receiver? Or is my Yamaha adequate?
My overall question is what direction would you take at this point with the money I have left to spend? Thanks in advance for your help!

blandis
9 responses Add your response
Ag insider logo xs@2x
uru975
684 posts
 
Does he listen to or need surround sound?
If not what about an inexpensive but durable integrated amp.
Just another way to look at things.
ska_man
55 posts
 
I would put the money into a headphone amp and a pair of headphones. They just may come in handy.
blandis OP
7 posts
 
No need for surround at this point. This will stay in his dorm and room in his apartment. When he moves to an apt or house next year I will get him a decent 5 channel receiver and a big ole set of cerwin vegas or something similar. That way if they get damaged its not a huge deal.

He has a set of bose headphones he uses with his laptop/iphone. Those should be ok for him for now.

What amp would you look at to run those speakers? From what I have found seems as if an older used Rotel amp/tuner may be a good option? I will add a powered sub at some point.

Would it be wise to look at a good receiver?

ebm
9,311 posts
 
Yamaha is lo fi big time.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,769 posts
 
Perfect system for a dorm. Spend the $500 on clothes, a bike, etc.

Rich
nealrm
68 posts
 
With the new models coming out, a older Rega Brio might be a good solution. Price should be in the range. No remote, but also pretty well bulletproof and 50Wpc is plenty for a dorm. A nice stepping stone to better hi-fi after college too.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
His generation is tied to PC's for music. Get him something like an idecco with a USB input to stream music. Radio means nothing, what kids even use cd's?

Spend an extra $75 on a back up hard drive for his pc as well. That could save his life, grades, career and more...
rex44
64 posts
 
I agree with Ska_man. Headphones is the way to go, young people love them.
blandis OP
7 posts
 
Went another direction. Purchased him a set of b&w 685's. He is set for many years of quality listening. Went and listened and he loved them. Will sell the MA's, and will start the search for what will run the 685's. I most likely will look at a good used NAD PE, Rotel Receiver, Maybe even one of the newer HK 3490. Good cables/wires and he should be set.
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
ADD-POWR Wizard
80x80
Synergistic Research FEQ Carbon
- BRAND NEW - JUST ARRIVED
80x80
Oyaide Neo d+ B-series