Your Best Audio Bargain

jswallac · « **on:** 8 Jun 2005, 06:29 pm »

It appears many on these Circles pride themselves on bang for the buck audio, getting a great deal of pleasure in finding those "giant killers" out there. I am a firm believer in the 80/20 rule that you can get 80% of the performance for 20% of the cost if you shop carefully. In some cases this ratio may even be higher.

I am very greatful to John Casler for providing me my latest, and perhaps best bargain audio ever. It is what he described as a "no-name" (actually a BADA) tubed CDP out of China. Absolutely wonderful smooth sound. I prefer it by a wide margin to what I previously considered a pretty good bargain, the Ack! Dack. To quantify the bargain, I bought the Ack! used for $375. The BADA, in almost new state from John, was only $300. A complete CDP for less than a bargain DAC.

A little digression, but anybody considering buying from John should do so without reservations. This guy is really into his audio and knows his stuff. His showroom (doubles as a living room, but just barely), is the most treatment intensive place I have ever seen. Besides the usual wall treatments, John supplements things with blanket/curtains handing from the ceiling to provide the sweet spot with ultimate sound. His system is quite top notch and tweeked in all the right ways. Again, this guy knows his audio stuff. Some debate about his interior decorating could be made, however!

The BADA CDP edges out my previous ultimate bargains, the little JVC hybrid digital and the $30 Sonic Impact. While each of these are true bang for the buck stars, I almost always refer to them as great for the money. The BADA is simply great, and happens to also be inexpensive. The BADA now occupies the place where my old transport and Ack! use to reside, while the SI and the JVC have been replaced by another giant killer, the ASL Wave 8 tube amps. Many have stated how the JVC leans toward a tube sound. I agree that it leans that way, but unfortunately it does not lean far enough for me.

So what are some of your greatest finds?

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 06:35 pm »

Thanks,

Do you have a pic and or link for this CDP?

Thanks
Dennis

jswallac · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 06:40 pm »

Here is the link to the one I bought from John:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=17688&highlight=bada

Carlman · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 06:42 pm »

For a digital front end, an audio PC I bought already assembled has been my best bargain by far. For $600 the sound quality alone is in the ballpark of the best cd players out there... and as a 'bonus' you get instant access to your entire music library. It's not a simple plug and play system to most but if you're a little computer savvy, this is a no-brainer to setup and use.

My entire system offers great value. I'd say the DK Integrated even at 3,k is a great value. However, the AKSA 100wN+ is likely the best amp overall for 4,k and under that I've heard.

-C

bubba966 · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 06:46 pm »

Quote from: jswallac

So what are some of your greatest finds?

Well, it doesn't exactly fit into the finding a cheap piece of gear that kicks ass category, it's close.

I'd have to say that finding an insanely great deal on my DVD player would be my greatest find. I got my Pioneer DV-AX10 brand new A-Stock from a Pioneer dealer w/full warranty for almost 85% off. That $5000 discount still left a $999 price tag though.

But for my use it'd cost a good deal more than $999 to even meet the perfomance the AX10 gives me. And virtually 2 years later the used price on an AX10 is still more than mine cost me new, even after adding the cost of the modifications I did to it.

gongos · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 07:33 pm »

JVC ES1SL for $66.

ohenry · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 07:42 pm »

Two Wave 8's (w/ cages and detachable cords) and companion preamp for $400. Great little punchy and fun kitchen or bedroom setup.

jswallac · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 07:42 pm »

Maybe I would rank my JVC ES1SL higher if I had only paid $66. I obviously bid to high on mine as I paid $101 with shipping! Still, my definition of a true bargain requires that it is good enough to replace what I listen to. The BADA is doing that and my JVC, while very nice sounding, has moved on the the HT room.

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 07:59 pm »

Soundlab A5's for $380.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 09:05 pm »

Plast-i-Clay inside any box speaker....about $3.00 per lb and usually no more than 4-5 packs per speaker needed.

Thank you Frank van Alstine for that one.

2nd would have to be the JVC hybrid receivers I think.

zybar · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 09:38 pm »

The best bargain I have in my sysetm is the Salk Sound HT3's:

While not inexpensive (roughly $4k/pair), these speakers compete and surpass others that are 2x and as much as 5x the price!!

When I also factor in the stunning cabinet work (trust me, the pictures don't do them justice), they really become a bargain.

Some other great values in my system:

VH Audio ic's and pc's
Aberdeen Audio's upgraded power supplu for the TacT 2.2x preamp

George

rosconey · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 09:45 pm »

my shengya cdp-300$
and my odyssey exreme mono's

jswallac · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 11:11 pm »

Zybar, those speakers are quite stunning. Still, I am even more taken by that classy night light in the corner. Excellent way to show off the whole system even if the power goes out!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Jun 2005, 11:34 pm »

1. Teac A-700LP. US$99.
2. JVC FS-X1. US$114.
3. Visaton b200's. US$250.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 01:55 pm »

My Music Hall MMF-5 turntable. $200, including cartridge, and it worked wonderfully. I upgraded the cartridge recently, with an AT-440ML, but that's actually a maintenance item and I'm still under $300, total.

sunshinedawg · « **Reply #15 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 02:54 pm »

My best bargain: Showed up to a insulation warehouse to by some rigid fiberglass to make bass traps. The guy gives me 17 panels(the thick OC 705) that he has laying around, and then says just take them, nobody ever buys that line anyway. So I was able to make 8 traps (double thick) for the cost fo fabric to wrap them, about $75 dollars.

eric the red · « **Reply #16 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 02:57 pm »

110 lb each GR Research Paradox 3s overbuilt from the kit= $950.00
10' Spelz Anti-Cables bought off Agone=$50.00
Sharp EX-111 for $80.00 shipped from Overstock.com

Sonny · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 03:45 pm »

I think anything from Odyssey Audio is a bargain...where else can you get a complete system that sounds like a $15K or more system at $5,500?

Owner of Mono Extremes, Tempest Extreme, Marantz SACD 8260, VPI Scout w/ JMW-9 and Dynavector 10x4 mc cartridge and lastly Meadowlark Audio Herons.

Sonny

Sonny · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 03:45 pm »

I think anything from Odyssey Audio is a bargain...where else can you get a complete system that sounds like a $15K or more system at $5,500?

Owner of Mono Extremes, Tempest Extreme, Marantz SACD 8260, VPI Scout w/ JMW-9 and Dynavector 10x4 mc cartridge and lastly Meadowlark Audio Herons.

Sonny

Eric · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Jun 2005, 03:50 pm »

SAS Audio 10A preamp