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uzibear
11-02-2004, 03:20 PM
i've got about $800 to build a complete system. hard task? i'm sure, but that's what i've got, and i could use some help. i'm not even sure exactly what i need. i'd like a cd player based system that i would primarily use speakers with, but also headphones. i have headphones already. so do i need:

cd player (i hear a lot of talk about NAD players)
amplifier (do i need a reciever as well?)
speakers (hear a lot about paradigm and axiom speakers)

i can buy used, refurbished, whatever. i don't care how ugly or big anything is. just want the best sounding system i can get for the price

thanks

N. Abstentia
11-02-2004, 08:54 PM
Are you looking for just a good 2 channel system? Shouldn't be too hard to do for $800.

Since you mentioned Paradigm, start with a set of Mini Monitors for $350-ish. Another $300 will get you a good entry level receiver from Onkyo, Denon, or Yamaha, leaving you with $150 for a CD player. A decent 5 disc carosel will can be had for $99.

Or just look at this stuff for reference:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ktNFboxAF7u/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10410&I=580TX8511
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ktNFboxAF7u/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=53000&I=158CDPC375
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ktNFboxAF7u/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=12000&I=108P250

All that for just a tick over $800.

uzibear
11-02-2004, 09:35 PM
yes, 2-channel system. i'll take a look at your reccomendations.

uzibear
11-02-2004, 09:36 PM
would i be better off getting an amplifier than a reciever?

this won't be used for video, or anything but 2-channel audio

uzibear
11-02-2004, 09:38 PM
what about that wacky t-amp thing for $40?

topspeed
11-02-2004, 09:47 PM
If you don't listen to the radio, then I'd stick with a good integrated amp like this Cambridge Audio Azur 540a (http://cambridgeaudio.com/540a_amp.html)or this NAD C320bee. (http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_amplifiers/C320BEE_framset.htm) Both manufacturers make excellent cd players that would work nicely with their integrated. I'd then consider this Epos ELS3 (http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_amplifiers/C320BEE_framset.htm). I think you'd have a pretty damn fine system and one that you could easily grow with. Bare in mind, to make this happen at $800, you're going to have to do some negotiating. The good news is it can absolutely be done. Find the right dealer and pay cash.

Hope this helps.

uzibear
11-02-2004, 11:26 PM
ok, i'm definitely starting to narrow things down, getting some good ideas. wonder how my headphones would sound out of that amp? going to get grado sr80 or allesandro ms-1