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Speakers/receiver for classical music and opera on a budget

I apologize in advance.  You are all audiophiles and I'm only a beginner - and a poor one at that.  But I am desperate for some help.  Finding the right speakers and receiver, on a budget, for CLASSICAL music and OPERA is very, very hard.  I have a 13'x13' family room and $600.  I'd like to plug my computer, dvd player, tv, cd player and speakers into the receiver.  Please don't hate me for getting on here to ask for help.  You men/women are music gods and I need some miracle.  I'm obviously poor and don't know a thing. Right now I have Infinity Reference 2000-3 speakers and a Yamaha RX-395 receiver - if I plug my MacBook Air into that it really sounds bad.  I've been listening/watching opera via streaming/dvd on my computer with headphones.  A 3-hour opera with headphones is long.  Anyone care to help?
shaunac

Showing 2 responses by twoleftears

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 

If you truly need a receiver, the Outlaw RR2160 is pretty much the only game in town.

If you can get by with an integrated amp with multiple outputs, then there are more possibilities.

My advice: use that $600 to improve *one* of your components (either receiver OR speakers), and the start saving up again.  No point in dribbling it away with $300 each.  You should probably be looking at ELAC speakers.


twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 

Those stores are in business to sell, like any business.  If you give them a set budget, they will tell you what they can sell you from among the brands they stock, and if you're lucky they'll tell you what they recommend among that limited range.

Remember, there are lots of different beasts out there.

Integrated amp.

Receivers.

Audio-visual receivers.

The more you bolt on, to hit a certain price point they have to economize elsewhere.

If you don't need some features (e.g. 5.1) go more simply.

If you just need an integrated amp, I'm sure the forum can provide several good recommendations.  New, I'd look at Denon and Yamaha.  Lightly used, you have a greater scope.

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