Want to setup basic home audio system

What do you plan on using as your source?
Streaming, CD player, turntable, tuner...?

thecarpathian asks the most important question. At that budget, using vinyl as your source is going to really limit your other components. Streaming could be an inexpensive source initially allowing you to put more in speakers and amplification. Also, are you willing to buy used or do any DIYing? How big is the room And how visible can the equipment be are other considerations once you start attempting to determine which components to purchase. 
To start answering your original question, you need a source, amplification, and speakers, as well as cables to connect. 

Whatever you do, there are enormous bargains out there, used. The Music Room is a great source, but if you educate yourself a bit, you can likely get a good streamer, DAC, integrated, and speakers for $1k, though perhaps the DAC could just be built into the integrated. Much depends on your taste, but likely gear could include Schiit or Parasound, Topping, Emotiva, Bluesound, Elac, Klipsch, and many others. Possibly of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdb8wLd73Tg

thecarpathian: 
For now, I will be streaming music from my hard drive and internet streaming.

ovinewar:
My room size is 11x12. I would live to buy yesteryear used equipment but do not know what to look for or even what brand and models are good at that price point. I have been thinking of stretching my budget up to 1.5k but strictly can’t go over that. 
hilde45:
Thanks for the suggestion! I will check out the music room. There are so many different equipment and options just in the stereo world that it amazes me how people even know what they want!

Waiting to hear how you are going to source your music. 

Wharfedale makes great bookshelf speakers that would fit into a sub $1000 system. Paired with a Yamaha A-S301 integrated amplifier which has internal phonostage and DAC onboard would make for a good start. A computer could be used as streamer.

Do you have Audio outlets nearby? If not look into Audio Advisor and Music Direct online. Buy used, the Audiogon market place is good for that. 

I would concentrate on used equipment.
Deals galore!
USAudiomart is also a great place to look.
You can even shop within your state.

mesch: 
I should’ve been more clearer. I will be using my phone and computer as a source. Thank you for suggesting a specific model and brands. That helps me a lot when I’m researching things! I live in Washington state and have been only looking at Craigslist and offermeup for any used deals. Other than that, I was always skeptical of buying used from different state due to the high shipping cost. 

thecarpathian:

thanks for the suggestion! I am looking through the website and can’t believe there’s a website like this...I have a lot to learn lol

Most equipment will be out of your budget range, but there could be a hidden gem in there, especially in bookshelf speakers, and integrated amps.

Check out HIFI SHARK!
https://www.hifishark.com/

Agree that with that tight of a budget used is the way to go for everything.  If you are patient, you can pick up gear in new condition for sometimes almost half off.  A nice integrated like a Marantz or NAD and a pair of smaller monitors.  As an example:
ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Bookshelf Speakers (PAIR)
on this site asking $400.  It can be fun putting together a system on a tight budget.  The key is setting it up correctly in your room .  That is what will make it go from "nice" to "I can't believe how good this sounds for $----!"

Diripio
Are you a buy and leave alone sort or will you be tweaking from now until the end of time? Also, is this the start of a journey that you are committed to spending money on in the future or are you fine with a level of decent sound and willing to just enjoy? Last question from me, I promise, what kind of music do you usually listen to?

thecarpathian:
what is a starting budget that I should begin with? Also, I’m looking over all these online used audio marketplace and you’re right. There are some hidden gems, but I feel like I need to get educated more to even know which are useful for me.

yogiboy:
Damn!! I never realized there’s a website that shows global sellers. Some of the speakers in Europe cost much less than what US sellers are selling it for. I’m just trying to not get destroyed by shipping charges. Thanks for that! I have been looking over the listing all morning.

corelli:
There’s just so many different equipments and options that my head is spinning. After speakers, what is the next equipment I should focus on?

ovinewar:
35% rock(ranging from slow rock to heavy metal)
25% soul and r&b( a lot of the older stuff mostly)
30% classical and jazz(orchestras and violin/piano heavy pieces)
10% country(90% old like hank William/10% new like Stapleton)
I apologize if the country music choice is confusing. You can just assume I listen to more of the older country classics. This is will be an ongoing journey for me. I play the violin and guitar and have been using headphones when I want to learn a new song. With this system, I want to be able to play along and also hear the music at the same time. Also, I do enjoy sitting and just listening to my favorite songs. When I do get more money saved up, I am definitely willing to upgrade my home audio system from time to time. I am open to new and used equipment. If there is something that is going for a good price, I am willing to buy it and sell of my older equipments. I don’t know if the last sentence makes sense. 

diripio,
Your budget is entirely up to you.
The higher your budget, the greater your choices.

Start with the speakers.  You listen to a wide range of music.  This will make it difficult on a tight budget.  Might be better to start with decent monitors that get the midrange and treble right knowing you could always add a sub later as funds allow.  Then you need to focus on getting an integrated that complements your speaker choice, sonically and electrically (able to drive them well).

If you find an interesting piece in your price range, read all you can online about them and what others who have experience with them have to say...

thecarpathian:
If you had 1.5k to start with, what would you look for in the used market? I heard a lot of good things about focal speakers so I was leaning towards the chora 806. Maybe an amp or integrated that goes with these speakers? If you know of better speakers in that price range, what are some brands and models you recommend?

corelli:
Okay got it! Speakers 1st, integrated 2nd. Do you got any recommendations on how to get my wife to leave the house so that I can set it up? I don’t want to drug her🤷‍♂️(seriously joking on the last part) I love her and won’t drug her for speaker placement. Do you got any speakers that you recommend?

There's a Rotel ra12 integrated for sale in Olympia I believe that looks like a good deal. Its a dealer ad so make sure you have guarantees if interested. Us audio mart.
Speakers, if it were me, the Ascend Acoustics Sierra2 with Raal ribbon tweeter.
I believe a pair for sale here.
$450 asking for the Rotel regularly $1000
Around $800 for the Sierras regularly $1450 
If interested, negotiate!
That leaves you $250 for good cables.

You say you are in Washington state. Have you ever been in Hawthorne
Stereo in Seattle? Ask for Dominic. You might want to spend some time
exposing yourself to options before you spend any money. Streaming
is a smart way to go for you. I would look at Cambridge audio for
a combo unit and try to add in a speaker you like that fits the budget.
Good luck to you!! Please report back. People here live vicariously thru
others fates and fortunes!

Yes, always demo when you can and don't rush. Take your time, do your homework, explore your options.

If you want simple pick up a pair of wireless powered speakers and you're good to go. 

Look for high efficiency speakers as that minimizes your need for a high powered amp.  Good luck n your journey!

Anyone here needing to clean the closet and has an amplifier or speakers to donate? Good karma will come to you.

   I went down that road long ago. Having a limited budget but still wanting to get the most for my dollar. Music is my primary focus. Made many mistakes along the way. There is good advice from many responding to your post. From all those responses I believe corelli has the most sound advice. Reason is...the heart of the system is the speakers and amp. The source certainly comes in after those.

   The deals as far as cost in the used market are tempting and many great deals are to be had. However, don't underestimate the synergy of the amp and speakers. Some really good speakers and good amps may sound good but will they sound good together? That's the key. I've experienced that with expensive amps and speakers that didn't perform like a team.

   If you go for the used market you are limited to the reviews of opinions from many but are not able to actually audition how they sound for yourself. That's where going to an audio dealer that may have the components you have interest in and will fit into your budget comes in. Audition amp and speaker combinations and decide what sounds best to you. If the dealer may also have the sources you prefer audition them as well.

   Tweaks such as interconnects, power cords, room treatments, etc. can come later. You are looking for a good sounding system capable of what pleases you now. Good luck.

An amp, a source, some long-ass wire, some speakers, some interconnects, tools 🛠 

Fun to think about. My guess is that I'm not alone out here in having haunted stereo stores since I was a teenager. It's free to look and listen and you can get a good sense of what's reasonable to expect at that budget. Putting together your own system with used equipment online is a great way to enjoy this "hobby," and a great way to save money, but you really have to know what you're doing, both in terms of the gear and the risks of online purchases. It looks like you have a few options for Seattle stores that sell some nice stuff. A good hi-end store should be able to put together a well integrated beginner system, and if they know what they're doing they'll treat you well ... and you'll end up back there, upgrading and upgrading! 

thecarpathian:
I’ve been eyeing ascend speakers after reading about them a lot on reddit and avforums. Thank you for the amp recommendation as well! Now I can start off somewhere and do my dd. I will definitely be looking at the used speaker marketplaces.
I decided to check out Best Buy magnolia tomorrow to test new speakers. You definitely been active in this thread and I’m extremely grateful for that!

chorus:
do you live in Washington state as well? You’re bada** for recommending a local shop. Man I am excited to check out their used selection! They definitely got great speakers and amps. I will call tomorrow and speak more with Dominic. Hopefully I can demo some of the used speakers and amps. Also, Cambridge audio speakers are well within my range! Got lost a few hours on their website browsing thru their products lol.

Ihasaguy:
how can I tell the difference between high efficiency speakers and normal efficiency ones? Are you talking about powered speakers rather than passive speakers?

glupson:
Hahahaha!! You got the best idea. But I agree with you. Good karma will come to those that send me your used gear.

jrpnde:
those are some great advices! I am more tempted to check out local audio dealers and work with them before settling on anything. You’re right on the money that I should get a system that works together as a unit. Thank you for that advice!

With what I know after 45 years as a audiophile I would recommend holding out till you get at least 1,500.00 dollars and then make your move . It'll give you more options and breathing room .

diripio,

I was not kidding. I suspect that many Audiogon members have an extra amplifier in the closet. Not necessarily a brand new D'Agostino, but something still reasonably good that they have not touched in years.

Unfortunately, the amplifier I would happily get my karma points on is inaccessible to me now so no karma for me.

Do not forget, once you consider smaller/bookshelf speakers they will have to stand on something. Those stands, even really cheap ones, will set you back a hundred or two, but more likely three.

My office setup is a pair of B&W 602’s (1st Gen) and a Marantz M-CR611. Works great, and used you can easily do it under 1k. CD, all streaming services etc. plus the option to add with other inputs. 

I have a relatively modest pair of AKG K701 open baffle headphones. I can also hear what’s happening outside of the headphones as though I don’t have anything on my ears.
These AKG K701s are an older model now, I found a new set on Ebay for $205 + tax and shipping.

You could play music through open baffle headphones and hear what you’re playing at the same time. Adjust the levels to suit your instrument?
I don’t know if this could work for you, that’s something you could perhaps look into?

If it does work, you could get a whole lot more quality for the outlay of your money with an open baffle headphone and headphone amplifier than with a $1000 speaker / amplifier / interconnect & speaker wire set / source setup I think.

Mine are nowhere near the best, and your budget could certainly get better and leave money for quality DAC and amplification.

Hi, as one of the choices of affordable acoustic I could recommend Pioneer SP-FS52 Andrew Jones Designed Floor Standing Loudspeakers. The speakers are pretty good for the price and definitely would be In your system price range. 

Watch the audiophiliac on youtube, he does these videos all the time...systems under 2500, under 1500, under 1000, etc....

I'll cut to the chase. The NAD C 328 is the most capable, best sounding  amp in its price range. Period. It will handle your streaming today, and later, vinyl better than most amps double its price. NAD has been doing that for over 40 years.  

Some will consider this a radical heresy, but for $30, you can add an Echo Dot which will stream, and give you voice control as well. Connect it via Bluetooth or old-school 3.5 mm to RCA patch cable.

Speakers are a much more subjective choice, but I would consider Monitor Audio Bronze 2, and a pair of decent speaker stands, say Pangaea LS 300, probably the 24" variety. The MA Bronze 2 have a 6.5" woofer, so offer decent, if not super extended  bass, and will later mate well with a subwoofer to fill in the bottom 1-1/2 octaves below 60Hz. My Second choices would include the B&W 607, and ELAC - Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52.

Forget fancy cables for now, but be sure to get a package of Blu-Tack to mate the speakers to the stands. it will make a difference.. And pay attention to the speaker setup, separation, distance to side and backwalls. I have heard $10,000 speakers ruined by by bad placement, and $500 ones become magical with good placement. 

Which leads to the final recommendation. A few hundred dollars spent on proper acoustical treatment for your listening room will improve the sound far, far more than that same investment in equipment. Try https://acousticalsolutions.com/ they have a broad selection and are very reasonably priced. 

You can get the NAD, Monitor Audio speakers, stands and acoustical panels all for around $1500. $1100 without the acoustical panels. 

glupson: 
That would be a God send if I can get an amp for karma points! You just might find me posting around here haha. Most definitely, thanks for that advice!

geof3:
I see alot of B&W 601-603s for sale on offermeup. Did you buy them secondhand? How are they holding up? Any repairs?

rixthetrick:
I've been using cheap sennheiser headphones to learn songs on the guitar, but it gets a bit difficult when I try to learn songs on the violin. Maybe it's because I'm using cheap ones. But I also do like listening to music while falling asleep on my lazboy haha.

surfmuz:
Thanks for the recommendation! There's alot of 4-5 star reviews on Amazon. It also doesn't hurt that it's on sale for $160/ea on amazon. 

audioguy85:
The guy's got great vids. I like the ones where he shows all the pics of people's setup and goes through their gear!

panzrwagn:
It seems like integrated amps are the way to go with my budget range. Funny you mention the MA Bronze 2 model. There's someone near my city that's selling a Monitor Audio Bronze B4 Floor standing speakers NEAR MINT condition for $250 on usaudiomart. Hopefully I can get the guy to demo it. Thank you for your recommendations!

By now you have been given tons of great advice. I would add to take your time. Good deals aren’t good deals if you don’t need the component or if they force you to make a significant compromise. For instance, I have a pair of Thiel’s that are beautiful- but they average just above 2 ohms, they are not highly efficient. The sacrifice in owning these is they limit amps that can run them. The message to you is, buy efficient speakers first that also have a musical tendency. Some may not like these, but a set of Klipsch Quartets are available on Seattle CL. Klipsch has a strong fan base- maybe not on Agon, but elsewhere. With slight modifications- put auto soundproofing  material on backside of horns- these can really rock using almost any amp. I think the asking price might be high- but again, these will hold their value and allow you to get a feel for this while enjoying. You can even buy an EBay tube amp to effectively drive these- although I have never heard any of these. A Prima Luna is also on your CL. I have a set of Quartets hooked up to a Vincent SV500 hybrid integrated and they sound fantastic. That Vincent is another good choice as it has tube and SS, as well as an adequate dac. Add in a cheap streamer- Amazon dot recommendation or a Raspberry Pi, and you are set. Please take the brands I mentioned with a grain of salt but focus on the efficiency portion and value. Efficient Speakers that have a rabid following are a good choice initially because they open up your amp choices and allow a cost effective path to upgrade. 

Haven’t read every post in the the thread but has anyone recommended an all in one system such as Denon ?  For $500 OP
gets amplification, streamer, DAC.  Another $500 for speakers and stands and he is done, saves some $ on cables.  The Denon has gotten good reviews from Audiophile writers

Check out the Yamaha R-N602.  It’s $599.95, with a streamer, very solid amplification, and a full set of tone controls.  Then roll up your sleeves and build a pair of Parts Express Samba speakers.  They will compete with many $1500.00 pairs for $320.00 (plus whatever you spend to finish them on veneers or paint).  Finally, a good pair of budget steel stands from Pangea or Sanus....or build your own from scratch I’d you have the ability.  Some Transparent HP-122 and banana plugs, and you’re off to the races!

Well, If you are willing to up your budget to $1500 and are willing to buy used/dealer demo you have greater options. I agree it is best to identify speakers 1st. Then find a integrated amp which compliments. That said when cost is a concern it is best to look for speakers that can be driven by a 50-100wpc, 4ohm capable amplifier to loudness levels desired within the size of room where system is to be placed. With that in mind, should the right amplifier be identified you might wish to purchase it. 

Given you have a system in place you can afford to take your time, take advantage of deals as they come available and piece together a great system over time. Enjoy each improvement as it comes.

Regarding cables, I would purchase Canare 4S11 speaker cables. Great value, ~$1.50/foot. Purchase others used or discounted. 

I use a MacBook Pro as a source for my secondary system. Many amplifiers, speakers, and DACs have rotated within over the last few years. Currently I am using it with a Yamaha A-s701 via the 701's internal DAC driving a pair of B&W 685s. Both bought used via Audiogon. The 701 lacks a USB input, however I own a USB/SPDIF converter. The Yamaha A-s801 has USB input in addition to coax and optical. Though I mention Yamaha, it isn't the only brand to consider. I think the A-sxxx line is good value. I am also a fan of the NAD C xxx BEE integrateds. Back to speakers,  I may try a pair of Wharfedale Lintons should a used pair come up for sale one day.

Enjoy your search and keep us posted.  

As you can see diripio, 
Choices abound!

What do you plan on using as your source?

Consider:

• (Used) Yamaha A-S701 Integrated amp - $500
• (Used) Klipsch rp-600m speakers - $400
• (Used) Chromecast Audio streamer - $50
• Blue Jeans Canare 4S11 Speaker Cables - $80

Chromecast will connect to the A-S701 optical input.

You can play local files (and streaming services) from your laptop or phone via the chromecast (wireless). Chromecast also has blue tooth as well.

The A-S701 has the same amp section as the 801. Read the 801 reviews - highly regarded at it’s price.

The Klipsch speakers are considered an excellent value as well.

Later on, you could add a sub, a bluesound node 2i, an external dac, upgrade cables, etc.

Good luck! So many options, and many good recommendations here.

I agree with those who advise to wait until you have accumulated more money — I would say $2,000.  I assume you are going to be living with such equipment a while, so it makes more sense to me to wait until you can buy higher quality equipment.  Just my 2 cents.

Yes, but where does it end?
Why not $3000, $4000?
Of course the higher the budget the more choices and quality, but a limit has to be set and to pick and choose within those parameters.

You could Get a pair of Vanatoo Transparent 1 Encore active speakers and stream to it from any computer phone or tablet via Bluetooth and have a few hundred to spare.  Very nice first system!  I have a pair in my wife’s sunroom and they are very good. A lot of latest technology smartly bundled into an inexpensive and easy to use package. Available on Amazon.  Heard them first at audio shows where they always garnish a big crowd. 

You can get a very good system for 1000-1500 if you choose wisely. Dont walk it up once you set your budget because there is always a step up ad as Carpathian suggest- it never ends. Start basic- speakers, integrated amp, source.

Hmm, I have a "Nakamichi,, Ca-5", (Mint), just sittin there......
  And there is a Nak CD player as well.........
Hmm, some low ball offer...............Who know's??

"Oh look!, An amp!
"Pa-5"......hmm
(Very low ball),...................