What equipment for basic stereo cabinet?

[nloding]

I'm new to audio systems and looking for some advice on my first setup.

I'm looking setup a stereo cabinet in my living room. We have a cabinet with shelves and we're looking for some advice on the equipment we should get, and more specifically, what we would need in all. We would like to have a CD player (doesn't have to be multi-disc) and a turntable at the least. I assume we need a receiver/amp of some kind. Then obviously speakers. If the setup has an input for a Zune, that'd be nice too, but far from required. We have an old dual cassette deck that will be hooked up a well -- early '90's era but works great!

We're looking for lower-end setup, something modest. Budget for all of it I'd like to keep around $500, less is always better.

Any suggestions on equipment, or where to start? I've been searching Google and Amazon, and there's a ton of equipment out there and I'm just lost on where to begin!

Thanks!

[blackraven]

Your asking a lot for a $500 budget. You may need to increase that to at least $750.

Here's a few recommendations-

For speakers-http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS300 $176pr.

CD player/DVD http://oppodigital.com/dv980h/ This is a pretty good CD player and it plays SACD and is excellent for DVD as well. $169

Receiver http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tml#Connectors

This is a great budget receiver with phono input. $219

Turntable http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DP29F-DP.../dp/B0000BZHGV $98

Total cost $663. Buy bare speaker wire from www.bluejeanscable.com and any interconnects you may need.

Good Luck!

[nloding]

Your asking a lot for a $500 budget. You may need to increase that to at least $750.

Here's a few recommendations-

For speakers-http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS300 $176pr.

CD player/DVD http://oppodigital.com/dv980h/ This is a pretty good CD player and it plays SACD and is excellent for DVD as well. $169

Receiver http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tml#Connectors

This is a great budget receiver with phono input. $219

Turntable http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DP29F-DP.../dp/B0000BZHGV $98

Total cost $663. Buy bare speaker wire from www.bluejeanscable.com and any interconnects you may need.

Good Luck!

That all looks fantastic - but those speakers are much larger than what we're looking for. Something that would sit on top of the cabinet are plenty, I think. I'll read some more on these recommendations tomorrow.

Thanks!

[02audionoob]

To supplement blackraven's recommendations with smaller speakers...

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS100

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100

I might propose a Denon CD player to try to get down to budget:

http://www.dakmart.com/product_info....oducts_id=6536

[blackraven]

Just remember, with bookshelf speakers you will need to buy speakers stands for $60-100 to get the best sound out of them. You will also have limited bass.

Good recommendations from A.Noob!

Here's a few other receivers to consider http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/t...20090414093520

http://www.jr.com/teac/pe/TEA_AG790A/

If it was me, I would go with the Harmon Kardon or the Onkyo. The HK is probably the best of the bunch.

[blackraven]

I would also consider these Boston Acoustic speakers. I've always like the sound of BA's bookshelfs. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BOCS26

[Mr Peabody]

How about this: $99.99

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....o&nrp=15&iht=n

These may be too large:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....o&nrp=15&iht=n

or cheaper yet: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....o&nrp=15&iht=n

Well there's a receiver and pair of speakers for $200.00 but I can't believe I could no longer find a stand alone player. This stuff won't sound as good as maybe the HK and Boston, just depends on if price or performance is the most important.

One other option, you could pick up a decent stereo receiver used for cheap but then again if you can get a new one for $100.00........

[nloding]

How about this: $99.99

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....o&nrp=15&iht=n

These may be too large:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....o&nrp=15&iht=n

or cheaper yet: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....o&nrp=15&iht=n

Well there's a receiver and pair of speakers for $200.00 but I can't believe I could no longer find a stand alone player. This stuff won't sound as good as maybe the HK and Boston, just depends on if price or performance is the most important.

One other option, you could pick up a decent stereo receiver used for cheap but then again if you can get a new one for $100.00........

I like that HK receiver -- looks nice enough, but simple enough, for our living room. The cheaper CD player looks nice too -- I'll have to make some measurements to make sure it will all fit.

For the turntable, I found this on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PSLX250H-...9800807&sr=8-2

The reviews look good -- but I have no idea what I'm looking for in a turntable.

Turns out we were just given a set of speakers that match the cabinet by her grandparents. I'm not sure if they work, but I'm going to hold off on getting speakers until we test those out. I'll need to check tonight what hook ups they have to make sure they will connect to the receiver.

Thanks for the help so far!!!

[Mr Peabody]

The reviews on the Denon were pretty bad, one guy did mention you could not replace the cartridge, this is something I was afraid of with the Sony and definitely should be checked into before purchase. I worked for a hi fi store that brought a bunch of entry level Sony turntables in for a big sale leader item and that was something that shocked me is the cartridges could not be replaced, they were basically throw aways once used up.

You may want to look for a used vintage turntable in good shape or maybe look at something like Audio Technika that would lean more toward a DJ style turntable, less features but should be more upgradeable. Check Craigslist or local Thrift/Goodwill type outlets for used tables.

Well it's probably more of an increase than you might want to go but notice the cartridge and headshell can be removed which means replaced, adjustments like counter weight, still has built in preamp, good customer rating; http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...9803911&sr=1-3

I guess it depends on how serious you will be listening to vinyl.

[Hyfi]

http://www.questforsound.com/amps/amps_teacDR-h300.htm for $449

Going to have to add a little for decent speakers.

[nloding]

I think I'm down to just deciding on a turntable ... what is my advantage with spending almost twice on much on this:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...9803911&sr=1-3

... as opposed to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PSLX250H-...9800807&sr=8-2

Obviously it's an overall better unit, but if vinyl is only going to be 20%, if that, of the music we play, is it worth it? Then again, we may start to get some more vinyl if we have a good player, so it's almost a toss up.

[Mr Peabody]

Well, if the Sony will not allow you to change the cartridge you'll basically be stuck using the same needle when the one provided is worn out, that's provided you can change the needle. The Sony could be a throw away once the needle is shot. This is all speculative based on experience with past entry level Sony and how the Denon was built. You might see if Sony carries this table on their website and give them a call or email. If you can replace the cartridge then it's probably an alright entry unit. It's just if you plan to keep it long term you wouldn't want to look at buying another one a couple years down the road. You could also read through the reviews to see if any one mentions either replacing or not being able to replace the cart or needle.

The Audio Technika provides an upgrade path for cartridge, along with other features you may or may not use. There may be other brands to look at as well, this AT is just something I happened across. I bought a Numark USB turntable for around $130.00 with shipping. The cart can be replaced but if I was getting one for listening I'd pay the extra for the AT. The Numark lacks, I think the price was because of USB capability and the software it came with.

[JoeE SP9]

Hi nloding;

I would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind. Please don't think I'm trying to be rude or disrespectful.

1. Do you want a sound system to listen to music or to complete the room decor?

2. Is the quality of reproduction of any importance?

3. Is the system primarily for background music levels are actually listening to music at a reasonable volume?

I know that 1 and 3 seem like the same question but they are not. They way you answer these questions will go a long way towards letting us know what to recommend.

[nloding]

Hi nloding;

I would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind. Please don't think I'm trying to be rude or disrespectful.

1. Do you want a sound system to listen to music or to complete the room decor?

2. Is the quality of reproduction of any importance?

3. Is the system primarily for background music levels are actually listening to music at a reasonable volume?

I know that 1 and 3 seem like the same question but they are not. They way you answer these questions will go a long way towards letting us know what to recommend.

Oh no, I see the difference between 1 and 3.

1) It's 90% to listen to music, 10% to complete the room.
2) The quality is important, but I am on a tight budget and it doesn't have to be perfect. I'm a video guy, not an audiophile -- so I can't really notice huge differences between a mid-range and a high-end setup. I want something that's modest and within my range, and I want to get the most out of my money.
3) It's about 50/50. The background music is a daily thing, but we do host parties, and we do dance, and we do crank it when doing chores. So it's a little of both.

--

Based on the recommendations above, here's what I'm looking at right now:
Receiver: HK (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tml#Connectors)
CD Player: Onkyo (http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-DXC390-D...842016&sr=1-12) ... or a TEAC if I wanna save $40 (http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-PD-D2610-...ZTGSYXF432RJH3)
Turntable: AT (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...9803911&sr=1-3)

Total so far ... just shy of $600-ish.

[blackraven]

I would go with the Denon CD player or Oppo 980. I would also go with the Denon Turntable. The Denon lists for $150 and on sale for $98

Multi disc players just won't sound as good as single disc player.

[blackraven]

Here's a link to the Needle Doctor for turntables. You could give them a call and see which budget Turntable they recommend.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-S...4Pa38Ta38Och10

[02audionoob]

Turntables like that Audio-Technica are built much better than the Sony. With a good cartridge they can sound very good. If sound quality is truly important, you might want to consider used equipment. It's generally easy to find quality equipment for about half-price used.

[Mr Peabody]

If you want to save about $45.00, a few years back I was looking at some 5 disc changers for my daughter and compared the Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha. The Yamaha was only $149.00 and the sound was much better in the mids and highs. The Denon and Onkyo each just under $200.00, had tighter more defined bass but i walked out with the Yamaha because the thing was just more listenable. Well I'm too lazy to backspace that out but I seee Yamaha isn't represented on Amazon with anything cheaper than the Onkyo you found.

Blackraven, the Denon has the name but the reviews sucked and the cartridge can't be replaced. It's a "throw away" unit.

What about something like this: http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/C715.asp

Notice the USB input. It's rated at 25 watts but they are quality watts. I've bought from this company before and recommend them.

[blackraven]

I did realize that the cartridge could not be replaced on that Denon! I saw one at BB
a couple of years ago. Go for the AT then!

[nloding]

I would go with the Denon CD player. I would also go with Oppo 980.

Which Denon CD player? This one:
http://www.dakmart.com/product_info....oducts_id=6536

Again, newbie here -- other than $80, is there any advantage to going with the Onkyo I listed? Most of our listening will be from CD's or MP3's, so I'd rather splurge a little more on the receiver and CD player than on the turntable (I'm hesitating on that AT now -- we may need speakers after all ... I'll know tonight).

The Oppo (http://oppodigital.com/dv980h/) is too much -- we don't need video. This is purely an audio setup. Tricking out my video experience is next year or the year after, depending on when we move to a new house.

[blackraven]

The oppo 980 is an excellent CD player, and compares to players costing $500. It also plays SACD's and excels in this area. Its better than any of the other players you listed. Many people just buy this for just its audio playback. It also a stand out DVD player and its better than most costing a few hundred more.

Skip the TT for now and put the extra money to better speakers and CD player. You could check www.audiogon.com for a used marantz SA5001 or 5003 CDP, Music Hall 25.2, Cambridge Audio 540c.

[Mr Peabody]

There would be very little, if any difference between that Denon and the Onkyo, at $119.00 grab the Denon. The Oppo could be a good option too unless you just wanted a changer. The Oppo would give you decent CD playback plus you'd have good DVD for the future.

Just out of curiousity did you look at that NAD unit I posted a link for? I'd like to think of a use for one of those just so I can play with it and see what it will do. it caught my eye for you though when mentioning it had the USB input and the CD was built in..

[luvtolisten]

I would go with the Oppo dvd player as well, Sure it's $40, more, but you're getting SACD, and up conversation for DVD as well. If you need speakers, buy the Energy C-100's here with free shipping. Put that $40 towards the Oppo.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...38/energy-c100