[es347]

I have an Arcam Alpha 7r integrated that I am now running with a pair of Cambridge Sound Works knock off of the old KLH model 6 speakers and an iPod nano.  Total invested less than $500 and it's ridiculous how good it sounds for near field listening.  I'm beginning to believe that the most fun one can have in this crazy hobby is putting together good musical sound for cheap.  Not sure chasing the mega buck audio golden fleece is where it's at.

[pardales]

I have an Arcam Alpha 7r integrated that I am now running with a pair of Cambridge Sound Works knock off of the old KLH model 6 speakers and an iPod nano.  Total invested less than $500 and it's ridiculous how good it sounds for near field listening.  I'm beginning to believe that the most fun one can have in this crazy hobby is putting together good musical sound for cheap.  Not sure chasing the mega buck audio golden fleece is where it's at.

That's great! Cheap is, of course, relative. But I agree that one can get great sound without spending a lot of money or chasing the golden fleece. Key is to find what YOU LIKE in the way of sound -- especially in speakers.

[roymail]

I agree that you can achieve very good sound for not a lot of money depending on ones personal preferences.

[bummrush]

I'd say its damn nice ,,nothing at all wrong with either of those 2 components at all..Those Cambridge speakers always looked good and the price was a bonus.

[bentknee]

  Sometimes it is easier to get musically enjoyable sound from what would be termed mid-fi. I have heard many very expensive systems that are either musically dead or so bright they drive me out of the room. That being said with a good amount of work one can assemble a very musical system that is very dynamic, revealing, and sweet in the midrange in what is called hi-end. I would rather have musical mid-fi than amusical analitical hi-end, but when one gets a hi-end system dialed in it can be awsome. That is what this hobby is about .

 Blessings, Bob

[es347]

Right you are Bob.  I have a well dialed in primary system and it creates goosebumps but sometimes when I play around in the lower end sandbox and hear the possibilities, I get that sinking feeling in my gut 

[optimationman]

I am new here.  I am a cheapie, but using a different approach.  Buy old or broken "good" vintage gear and repair it and just get on with enjoying.  Haven't the budget to compete with you guys, but still enjoy a good sound.