Putting together a budget (as in frugally cheap) 2 channel system, help!

[blackraven]

Receivers- Harmon Kardon 338o, 3480 http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/12/...5-shipped.html
http://techronics.com/caraudio_1303_...html?aff=72182

Onkyo Tx 8522- http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8522-...3235283&sr=8-1

Cd Player Marantz cd5003 http://www.audiophileliquidator.net/...868e16b3762776

Speakers- Energy C-300's

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300


Check out www.saturdayaudio.com Look at their demo gear for sale. They have an Onkyo Integra 7.1ch receiver for $299, list was $800. They also have some Denon DVD players on sale. The Denon DVD players make for a decent CD player.

[IRG]

Receivers- Harmon Kardon 338o, 3480 http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/12/...5-shipped.html
http://techronics.com/caraudio_1303_...html?aff=72182

Onkyo Tx 8522- http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8522-...3235283&sr=8-1

Cd Player Marantz cd5003 http://www.audiophileliquidator.net/...868e16b3762776

Speakers- Energy C-300's

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300


Check out www.saturdayaudio.com Look at their demo gear for sale. They have an Onkyo Integra 7.1ch receiver for $299, list was $800. They also have some Denon DVD players on sale. The Denon DVD players make for a decent CD player.

Thanks for the links, definitely some good stuff to check out here. I hadn't thought of a DVD player in lieu of a "dedicated" cd player. But the Denon one that was listed in the earlier post above, is actually cheaper new, and it does SACD and DVD Audio, so score.

[bobsticks]

Receivers- Harmon Kardon 338o, 3480 http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/12/...5-shipped.html
http://techronics.com/caraudio_1303_...html?aff=72182

Onkyo Tx 8522- http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8522-...3235283&sr=8-1

Cd Player Marantz cd5003 http://www.audiophileliquidator.net/...868e16b3762776

Speakers- Energy C-300's

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300


Check out www.saturdayaudio.com Look at their demo gear for sale. They have an Onkyo Integra 7.1ch receiver for $299, list was $800. They also have some Denon DVD players on sale. The Denon DVD players make for a decent CD player.

Lotta good suggestions from all over but Blackie boils it down to the basics. Of course, looking for used items or N/OS may leave you knocking at fate's door...

Something to keep in mind, those original Insignia speakers that caused all the stir were the product of a single, initial shipment of KEF drivers...a shipment that has never reoccured. There was quite a commotion over at AGon about it as, after the first series sold out, the quality declined drastically.

Speaking of KEF, I'm probably the resident KEF shill...got a pair of Q7's that I use in a secondary system with an Onkyo receiver, a PC and an old Pioneer PDM423 that has uncharacteristically good DACs.

I don't think you can go wrong with either an Onkyo or Yamaha receiver. Marantz is excellent but even the vintage units will be budget-breakers.

Good luck and happy hunting...

[IRG]

Lotta good suggestions from all over but Blackie boils it down to the basics. Of course, looking for used items or N/OS may leave you knocking at fate's door...

Something to keep in mind, those original Insignia speakers that caused all the stir were the product of a single, initial shipment of KEF drivers...a shipment that has never reoccured. There was quite a commotion over at AGon about it as, after the first series sold out, the quality declined drastically.

Speaking of KEF, I'm probably the resident KEF shill...got a pair of Q7's that I use in a secondary system with an Onkyo receiver, a PC and an old Pioneer PDM423 that has uncharacteristically good DACs.

I don't think you can go wrong with either an Onkyo or Yamaha receiver. Marantz is excellent but even the vintage units will be budget-breakers.

Good luck and happy hunting...

Good to know on the Insignias, I thought it might be too good to be true. As far as Kef goes, how are the Cresta 2? I saw them for sale somewhere, good price. Older pair aren't they, or are they still being made? Anything by Kef in the under $300 range I can look at?

[bobsticks]

Anything by Kef in the under $300 range I can look at?

If you don't mind going used one can almost always find anything from extreme vintage to one-owner KEF's. They seem to be in higher favor in Europe which keeps prices low here in the U.S.. Par example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Kef-Referen...item1e59f76c75

http://cgi.ebay.com/KEF-Iq30-Two-Way...item1c0f40cc82

[IRG]

If you don't mind going used one can almost always find anything from extreme vintage to one-owner KEF's. They seem to be in higher favor in Europe which keeps prices low here in the U.S.. Par example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Kef-Referen...item1e59f76c75

http://cgi.ebay.com/KEF-Iq30-Two-Way...item1c0f40cc82

I looked at that first speaker last night on ebay, didn't know much about it though. The other one looks nice too, more $ than I want at the moment.