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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
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
72 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. 

efort
14 posts
 

I have a Fosi tube amp with some B&W  LM -1’s plugged into my computer In my office. I upgraded the tubes, stream music all day. People can’t believe how good it sounds. Yea not bad for $250.  

clydeactor
24 posts
 

Oh, I have another inexpensive setup that sounds great:  Marantz 2235B receiver, Pioneer DV-610AV player (for SACD, DVD-Audio, CD), ADS L300 speakers, and  Velodyne MiniVee active subwoofer (via Marantz pre-out).  Mahalo & Aloha...

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