[Zero]

There is no denying it. For better or worse, we all love (and sometimes hate) this hobby. While sifting through the tireless effort to search for the last tweak or obeying the upgrade bug, it is easy to lose sight of what we originally set out to accomplish. Sometimes hours invested late at night while the rest of the world sleeps pay off during a point in time (hopefully in the day) when you can show off your system to a friend / relative / neighbor / co-worker / the pets.

Just when you start to doubt your system, the listeners bulging eyes and excited comments gives your moral a very needed boost. They are really digging your system, and the music – the sickness spreads! It looks like you got them hook-line and sinker! Everything is roses and daisies. The sun is shining, the angels are singing and your wife is actually cooking. All is well, at least, until that dastardly question is muttered; “So-how much did this all cost”.  

Now, some may be list off the MSRP of the gear with pride. Others will start listing the prices they paid on a monotone manner as the reality begins to set in just how sick they really are. The worse news is, now the other person sees this hobby for what it is to so many of us – a money trap. So what just happened? Well, you gave that person an experience they will never forget, but you may have also discouraged them from going the hi-fi route. Most think; “If it takes THAT much money to get good sound, forget it, my HTIB will do for now”.  

Audiophiles by large complain and nag about the popularity of cheap systems and the average persons standards for stereo growing dimmer. Yet, I see virtually no one audiophile, rich or poor, doing anything about it. Sure, we may have a second system full of components that only cost us maybe 1500 or so. Hell, it was a STEAL and the sound is great. But what we see as a steal, others see as a massive investment. The bottom of the line is, unless we are willing to step up and provide people with an opportunity to hear a system that is truly affordable – then none of us will really do our parts in preserving this great, dare I say it – past time – of recreation!

I say all that to ask this question. In the world of fiction, let us pretend someone you know and care for wants a great stereo system. Lets pretend they refuse to buy used. And no for the hammer – they want an entire stereo system – and all for no more than one-thousand dollars. So the question is; What would you put them in?

Rules;

- For the sake of monotony - shipping costs do not count towards the system total.

- You do not have to go by MSRP - but please indicating the going price on a brand new item from an *authorized* dealer

- Remember - stands (if you go bookshelf), wires, and cables, all count.

- After you make your list, please spare a moment to tell us why you selected the components on your list!

- In retrospect, I will grant $20 gracious leeway over the 1g mark, but not a penny more!

- Lastly, and most importantly, have fun with it!! I look forward to the ideas you all can come up with !

[Folsom]

Can we assume they have a computer, or that they would use it as a source? That would make things simpler..... Who does not have a computer? Including one in the price would make things difficult just a little! I think CD players blow so I would not want to base off of one in this case if I could help it.

If they had a computer but say not the storage space I would be ok with having to throw down the money into the pot of extra storage on top of the device to get the music out....

[sts9fan]

Joe shcmo does not use a computer as a source. As a rule of thumb he looks at you funny if you call anything a source.

[Carlman]

My favorite 'budget system' to date:
Sharp EX-111 (It was $100 new from Overstock)
Usher S-520 speakers $300
Cheap stands $100
Pioneer DVD player $100
1 digital IC $30
Straley's Speaker Cables $240

That's it.  Add cd's or DVD's and play your heart out.  

If you can't find the Sharp above, substitute some other receiver that's got good bang for the buck like the $200-$400 Panasonic receivers.  When you do that, you have the groundwork for good HT down the road.  Or, if you can, you have money leftover for a cheap powered subwoofer.

The Usher speakers are great and are the best I've heard for the price.  The center channel is fantastic as well if you choose to go that route later.

I have the Usher's, a RAD sub, a Panasonic XR-25, matching Panny 5-DVD player, and cheap IC's and SC's... and decent stands.  My TOTAL cost for this system was barely over 1,k... and it's reasonably impressive to most non-audiophiles.  It's not to me but HT isn't as important as 2-channel...

-C

[fiveoclockfriday]

Carlman,
We had quite similar ideas in mind, although mine show my preference towards small floorstanders. I would say:

Hornshoppe Horns : 775$
Sharp SD-EX111: 100
Blue Jean speaker cables, 10 ft BJC: 35

100 left to buy CDs with!

other system:

new Omega XRS speakers: 850$
Sharp SD-EX111: 100
Blue Jean cables: 35


I am currently trying to decide between the two speakers listed above, so one of those systems will be a reality shortly.

I did have a couple questions about your recommendations though, mainly, can the Sharp drive the Ushers comfortably? I enjoy the Sharp, but it is only 25 wpc, and that's at 8 ohms, if I'm correct. The Ushers are rated 86 db sensitivity, and Stereophile found them to be even lower, about 84.5 I would be concerned about driving them to nice levels, unless you're in a very small room I guess.

Also, is a cheap Pioneer DVD player better for CD playback (redbook) than the built in Sharp player? It seems like you could save quite a bit there. Also, there is no digital input on the Sharp, but there obviously would be on the receivers you recommend.

That's all I've got for now, nice post, could help quite a few people just getting started!

[Tbadder1]

The Sharp SG11 was clearly superior.  Too bad they didn't make enough.  I bought one for me and one for each of my kids. Cost me? 99 bucks brand new.  Quad 12L studio monitors B-stock 350 smackers.  Paul Speltz Anticables 50 dinero.  There you go. 500 bucks total, all new.  By the way, the Sharp is so good I put it on my Zu Druids and it was magifique!

[Tbadder1]

By the way--my wife has the EX111, and I side by sided them in inumeriable (sic) combimnations (sic) and the SG11 just was better.  Sorry--wasn't trying to start anything.

[Zero]

Destroyer Of Smiles -

Let your imagination be your guide. Each person has their own tastes, needs, and flexibilities. Some may already be computer geeks and not opposed to running a system from the PC. Some may only like certain types of music, some may like it all. You can take any approach you want so long as they stay within the rules. My general rule of thumb is to create a system that you would want.

All,

Thanks for the participation. There are already some interesting ideas I had not thought of. AS Phillip (below) mentioned - many of the suggestions *particularly with the Sharp* are out-of-production. I failed to make it a rule to include currently available (in production) pieces.

[philipp]

Not to be a bitch or anything, but you guys are recommending receivers that are discontinued. Every place I check is out of stock on both Sharp models listed above. Yeah, there may be a few lingering around in some corner of the web but I can't really pass along your recommendations to friends. Can we please see some gear that's readily available?

[litezen]

Assuming your friend likes the sound of planars, and has the space for them:

Speakers: Magnepan MMG - $550
Receiver: Panasonic SA-XR55 - $229-239 (amazon.com)
Any semi-decent DVD player with digital output: $80
Subwoofer(Optional): Dayton Sub-120 150W $120

Total: $939-949

That's less than $1k. All in stock, nothing old or obsolete

With a digital amplifer, all digital path, and clarity with a planar speaker that would be difficult for a conventional box speaker to match anywhere around a similar price point, IMHO this would make a very nice system regardless of budget.

[soundboy]

My system:  

Cambridge Audio A500 integrated amp  $250.00
Energy Connoisseur C-3 bookshelf speakers  $330.00/pair
Sony SCD-CE595 5-disc SACD/CD changer  $170.00
Radio Shack Fusion AV interconnect  $14.00
Radio Shack MegaCable speaker cable  $20.00
Standesign BB-75 24" fillable metal speaker stands  $75.00

All brand-new from authorized dealers.

[Zero]

Onix XL-S speakers;         $199
Stands;               $49  36 inch high stands from Sanus
Jolida 1301Integrated Amplifier;   $300
Rotel RCD 02;         $420
Zu Cable “PIL” interconnect      $29 0.5m
Ixos xhs706 13 awg wire      $15.48 for a 6ft pair

I have to admit, the system I have come up with stretches past the budget by 5 – 10 bucks or so. Just the same, the system I put together is more suited for someone who is eclectic. They really enjoy all types of music, likes to keep the electronics slim with speakers that are pleasant to look at.

My choice in speakers would be the Onix XL-S bookshelf speakers. I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to demo the prototype xl-s and was blown away by what was being offered at the $199/pair price-point.  Danny did a fantastic job with these speakers. They very well may become legends if the final production model sounds as good as the prototype.

Assuming the person has no make-shift stands to use, I will mark down $50 on a pair of 32 inch Sanus stands. Nothing fancy, just something somewhat solid and stable to get the job done.

The next piece would be an integrated amplifier. Since the Onix X-empower (the $99 50wpc chip integrated) may not be released until the second Quarter this year, I divert my attention towards the Jolida 1301 integrated hybrid amplifier. Using two 12ax tubes in the pre stage with 30wpc mosfet amps, this thing has a very full fleshed out sound from top to bottom and should be able to drive the XL-S speakers to pretty high volumes without distortion. This unit is very small, runs cool and allows someone flexibility towards placement. This unit can be had for around $300 (or maybe $315?) from an authorized dealer. Check www.venushifi.com

The next piece is where I really struggled to come up with a solid suggestion. No matter what I thought of, I just kept coming back to the Rotel RCD-02. This very slim and silent cd-player is just fantastic for the money (which you should be able to pick up for around $420 in store).  I thought of the usual suspects, NAD, Cambridge, Marantz, the round of cheapo throw-away dvd/cd players.. but I keep coming back to this unit. My only other real consideration would be the Sheng Ya tube cd player that surfaces around E-bay for around $400 bucks. I have no experience with this unit.

At this point I have pretty much capped the entire budget – which doesn’t leave much room for cables. I would suggest Zu Cables wonderful budget interconnect, the “PIL”. $29 for a 0.5m pair should do the trick. For speaker wire, I would go with the IXOS 706 13 gauge wire. A 6ft pair will run you $15.48 from www.ac4l.com

This spikes just above the targeted $1000 mark, but falls close enough that I feel warranted enough to mention the components. The strength of this system would not only rest in its versatility to play in rooms big and small, but also in its ability to give a pleasant, truly “high tone” sound that knows no bias towards any particular music genre. The size of the speakers may be a turn off to some, but its beautiful white shadow maple veneer may help most to over-come the size issue – the rest of the components are very high quality and should last that said person quite some time. The Jolida will also give that person the option to ‘tube roll’ and alter the character of their sound within reasonable degree.

The biggest caveat with this system is that while the XL-S speakers sport a very good frequency range, this system will not be full range. Some people may desire a sub-woofer. If the x-empower will be as good as I hope it is, this will allow me to take out the Jolida, and put that $200 saved towards a sub (dayton or onix).

[Folsom]

How about under $500?

Source:

Pioneer DV-333 $45 Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-DV-333-DVD-Player-Great-Condition_W0QQitemZ5850453774QQcategoryZ15055QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

SOUND DEADENING SHEET 32"x54" $21.50
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=268-020


DAC:

Peter Daniel Regular DAC kit: $100
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51381&perpage=10&pagenumber=18

IEC POWER JACK CHASSIS MOUNT $1.25
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=090-442


Amplifier:

Sonic Impact 5066 PORTABLE 30W T-AMP $30
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-952

DAYTON BPGS-25G BINDING POST w/1" THREAD 2 RED/2 BLK $8.25
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=091-1250

DAYTON RCA-CHRB RCA CHASSIS MOUNT JACK PAIR RED/BLK $5.30
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=091-1120

AVEL Y236102 30VA 12V+12V TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER $24.72
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=122-600

IEC POWER JACK CHASSIS MOUNT $1.25
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=090-442

Snubberized Power Supply Kit $26
http://www.chipamp.com/orders.shtml

50K OHM POTENTIOMETER $1.05
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=023-550


Speaker: (this box http://www.vikash.info/audio/W3-871S/index.asp )

TANG BAND W3-871S 3" DRIVER 2 x $17.10
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=264-813

½ inch MDF board $20 Home Depot.

1 inch under 6 inch Port 2 x $1.75
http://www.madisound.com/accessories.html

Speaker Terminals 2 x $3.40
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-309

ACOUSTIC FOAM 1-1/2" 24"x18" UL94 $4.87
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-516

Air core .70 mh 19 ga.41 dcr 2 x $2.90
http://www.madisound.com/inductors.html

Eagle - Metal Oxide Film Non-Inductive Resistors 6.8 ohm 10 watt 2 x $1
http://www.madisound.com/capcoil.html

JANTZEN 8.2uF 400V CROSSCAP CAPACITOR 2 x $3.76
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=027-930&DID=7

SPEAKER CABINET TOE SPIKES 4 PC SET 3/8" 2 x $2.50
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-725


Cables/Speaker Wire/Power:

DAYTON BAGS-G BANANA SPEAKER PLUG 2 RED/2 BLK 2 x $6.95
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=091-1260

NEUTRIK NYS373-BLK RCA PLUG BLACK SHELL 4 x $1.68
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=092-111

NEUTRIK NYS373-BLK RCA PLUG RED SHELL 2 x $1.68
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=092-113

(Speaker wire, power wires in amp, and RCA wires)
CAT 5E 350 MHz ENHANCED WIRE 500' BOX $49.07
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-412

(Core for RCA, and cable for Pioneer to DAC)
RG-6/U COAXIAL CABLE 100' $15.65
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-378

MARINCO 320IEC15 IEC CONNECTOR $17.50
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=110-400

MARINCO 5266BL 15A/125V NEMA 5-15 STRAIGHT BLADE PLUG $7.50
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=110-406

CAROL 14 GA 3 COND SJOOW POWER CABLE 25' $13.24
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-574

FERRITE CORE 1/4" CORD NOISE SUPPRESSOR 2 x $1.25
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=110-450

IEC TYPE 6' POWER CORD 3-COND BLACK $2.53
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=110-175

HAMMOND 1431-8 BOTTOM PLATE $4.80
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=320-802

Wood used for all boxes and enclosure, bottom plate used for plate for DAC and amp (cut into two pieces). Only thing not included would be some screws and wood glue.

Total: Under $500. ($492.06)

This could easily be refined to even slightly cheaper with some simple Bryant IEC and power ends instead of the overpriced renamed things. Also I think twenty feet from a local place of CAT5 at say $20 would be more reasonible to the actaul amount going to be used. With all of that cut down you could throw in one of these.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=125-140

After a little more review the amp would need a very regulated power supply, but in the end the transformer and regulater power supply would be cheaper, and there would be some room for some resistor changes etc on the amp itself.

[JLM]

$139 Son of T-amp
$300 Squeeze Box 3 (wireless version)
$389 Omega Mini-Me speakers
$ 10  CAT5 speaker cable (strip the ends yourself)
$ 36 Signalcable Analog One V2 interconnects
$ 27 Concrete garden pedestals for stands

$881 Total

Personally if could go over the budget I'd opt for better speakers, like the $895 Bob Brines FT-1600 Mk II, but that would push the total up to $1380.

[pacifico]

Where can you get the Son of T amp?

[JLM]

pacifico,

Just look in the thread below.  Here's where to find it for sale:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-956&ctab=4#Tabs

And here's a review:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonicimpact2/t2.html

[woodsyi]

How about under $500?

Source:

Pioneer DV-333 $45 Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-DV-333-DVD-Player-Great-Condition_W0QQitemZ5850453774QQcategoryZ15055QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

SOUND DEADENING SHEET 32"x54" $21.50
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=268-020


DAC:

Peter Daniel Regular DAC kit: $100
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51381&perpage=10&pagenumber=18

IEC POWER JACK CHASSIS MOUNT $1.25
http://www.partsexpress.co ...

Hey Destroyer,
You have PARTS for under $500.  I would have to bill myself a couple of thousand dollars to do the assembly (even if I had the time)!

[Folsom]

What! That is one of the best parts. I like putting stuff togather; I have liked putting stuff togather since I was little with Legos.

[Bemopti123]

I just sold my Sharp EX-SD 111 and still have one in spare.  Reasoning:

for the price I got, it is awesome.  Someone wondered if 25 watts are enough

let me tell you, these are not your common 25 watts are 8 ohms....the Sharp

was able to drive some really, heavy duty inefficient Gershman X-1s and SW-

1 combination, pseudo Wilson Puppy, which even a 200 watt PA-7 Nakamichi

used to clip with.  Can it drive the Ushers in question?  I  bet my heart out

that it could blow down the walls with it.  The speakers I drive them with,

are rated around 88 db, but it is a heavy load that supposedly destroyed,

twice, a Audio Refinement Complete integrated that came in at 60 watts

per channel in 8 ohms.  When I sent the AR Complete to the

distributor, they claim the integrated was "abused"...complete BS,

to my ears.  If you can get a Sharp at around the stated price, jump

on it.  It is unbelievable.

[MaxCast]

What! That is one of the best parts. I like putting stuff togather; I have liked putting stuff togather since I was little with Legos.

Hey  I still play with legos