[blacklisthunter]

Would you guys please recommend a few decent sub $200 components such as CD Players, DACs, Preamps, and Amps that are good for a beginners setup. New or used


Thanks in advance.

[evan1]

I have a denon dvd 2200 that plays all formats, DVD, CD, Sacd , DVD Audio. yours for 125.00 shipped. I have since upgraded

[Mariusz]

Would you guys please recommend a few decent sub $200 components such as CD Players, DACs, Preamps, and Amps that are good for a beginners setup. New or used


Thanks in advance.

For starters:

CD/DVD - Oppo

Pre- Trends Audio

Amp- Trends Audio

DAC-

Speakers will have to be carefully matched.
Omega or Zu should be great.
I would matched Omegas with tube amp like Glow Amp (integrated) with build-in DAC - it is more expensive but since it is an integrated amp with DAC still great value and in your price range ( shop used and save)
Glow Amp website - click here
Omega website - click here
Zu Audio website - click here

Mariusz

[satfrat]

Buy used components,,, chances are you'll be buying better quality for less.

Cheers,
Robin

[mcgsxr]

I agree about the used idea, you will make your dollars go far further for sure, and when you end up with a piece that you do not ultimately want to keep, you will take less of a hit on reselling it.

I would start by considering your PC as a source - there are lots of good ways to get quality sound out of a PC these days.

Firestone audio makes cheap USB DAC's, and cheap small powered amps.
Blue Circle Audio makes a great cheap USB DAC - under $200.
Gainclones are great little amps, often 50wpc or so - used under $200.

Do you already have the speakers that you want to use?

Would you consider building speakers?

[TerryO]

So far you've had excellent suggestions. I would ask first what speakers you have or are contemplating as this would to a large part define the rest of your system.

I personally would go for used or diy (kits, etc.) and build the speakers as well.
What type of music do you listen to and how big is your room? Do you have a wife that needs to have a say in this?
All these and more are actually questions that need answers before a real detailed list could be compiled.

BTW: My first real "system" was a Kenwood receiver and Sennheiser 414 headphones with a BIC 960 Turntable.

Best Regards,
TerryO

[Angaria]

Twisted pair makes a nice (and expandable) USB dac for $75.  Best I've heard under 200.

[Zero]

For $30 over $200, you can get the HK 3485 straight from Harman International:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-3485-Stereo-Receiver-w-120W-per-channel_W0QQitemZ150334341671QQihZ005QQcategoryZ14981QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262?_trksid=p1742.m153.l1262

For only $100, you can get this AudioSource amplifier that looks to have volume control built right on in:
http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-2-Channel-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1237959683&sr=1-1

For $1000, you can get the Polk Audio R300 towers:
http://shop4.frys.com/product/4965501;jsessionid=dkEFbYh6NPjrsvttGSy2ug**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If you live by a FRY's, you can pick up the Polk Audio R50 towers for just $120 or so bucks
http://shop4.frys.com/product/4005092?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If you can live with the small size, the Audio Engine 2's are a good bet. You wont even need to buy an amp! Just $200
http://www.audioengineusa.com/a2_home.php
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=95372 <- open box for just $170

[BradJudy]

Some brands to keep an eye out for on the used market in this price range:

NAD
Cambridge Audio
Marantz
Harman/Kardon
Onkyo

You can get the refurb H/K stuff direct from their website here (or on eBay as linked above): http://harmanaudio.com/search_browse/default.asp?sp=S&brand=HK&market=HOM

You can get refurb Marantz and Onkyo from Accessories4Less - http://accessories4less.com/

The clearance stuff at Audio Advisor is often a good place to look for budget gear, like these Energy C-100 speakers - http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100

[WGH]

If you live by a FRY's, you can pick up the Polk Audio R50 towers for just $120 or so bucks
http://shop4.frys.com/product/4005092?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Add an AudioSource 10" powered subwoofer for $105
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-636

and a pair of Dayton SAT-BK Satellite Speakers for $36 a pair (yes, $36 for 2 speakers)
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-670

Put it all together and you will have a system identical to an affordable home theater setup I put together for a friend. It really sounds OK too. I got them a NAD surround receiver on eBay but they can be above your $200 budget. The other brands mentioned are good too.

The option to use a system for both 2 and 4 channel really enhances my listening enjoyment.

[blacklisthunter]

Wow... Thanks for all these great suggestions.

So far I have a new set of AV123 ELT525M monitors with the TCA Gizmo Amp. I'm waiting on my Amp6 to get here.
I have a POS Sony DVD player that I'm looking to replace.
So I guess my main two things that I am looking for would be a good CD player and a DAC.
As some of you have mentioned using my computer and a DAC, would this be a good starting point?

Thanks for again for all of these great suggestions.
My future speaker upgrade would either be a Pair of Paradigm Studio 100, the AV123 X-Statiks, or AV123 Mini Strata. But this upgrade will not be anywhere in the near future  .

[Brown]

High resolution tecnologies Musistreamer USB DAC for $80. For a bit more the Plus model at $249. No power supply, 16 bit 8x oversampling. Regenerates power from USB to pure DC. Output 2.2V. Worth a listen.

[blacklisthunter]

I can't seem to find the High resolution tecnologies Musistreamer USB DAC. Would you mind posting a link for me. Thanks in advance.

[SharkyRivethead]

How about a Sony DVP-S9000ES? It's a SACD/DVD It got huge reviews and was their flagship till a year or 2 ago. I just got it for 75.00, plan on replacing my Pioneer Elite DV-37 with it. (paid 17.00 for the Pioneer and a Goodwill, and it's a nice DVD player too.)

[BradJudy]

I can't seem to find the High resolution tecnologies Musistreamer USB DAC. Would you mind posting a link for me. Thanks in advance.

Their website doesn't say or show much - http://www.highresolutiontechnologies.com/

This appears to be the only dealer: http://www.themusic.com/search.cfm?gear_brand=High%20Resolution%20Technologies&sidebar=gear

My guess is the basic model is a typical PCM270x all-in-one solution and the plus is more like the Devil Sound DAC (PCM270x for USB to I2S then some other DAC).