Need a mini stereo for my bedroom- on the cheap.

c_corie

So I've finished (for now- unemployed-laid off-lol) with my main setup with is B&W CM8, Marantz 6004 and Hegel HD2 DAC. When I get more money (aka a job) I'm gonna get better cables and one day upgrade to a basic tube amp. Anyway...while sinking all this money into a stereo and while living at an apartment I've realized two things:

1. It's too loud and bassy for night time listening (even with the foam plugs put in the ports.)

2. It's in my living room so obviously I'm SOL when in my bedroom at night, unless I wanna turn it up so it carries into my bedroom...but I don't want noise complaints so I figure I should get a small cheap system for my bedroom.

I prefer small, and diffuse sounding speakers, I was thinking of getting some small Mirage speakers but it seems they are no longer readily available. I don't like the whole classy boombox look either and I assume those are hard to find as well. Maybe I should just get a nice pair of computer speakers and bring my laptop in the bedroom?

ANY ideas appreciated, I just want to listen to music while lying in bed and not be tangled in headphones.

George Grand

On the cheap? Yard sales and thrift shops. It is that time of the year. A small, low-powered receiver should be plenty. Small, desktop size cd players are out there too. Small speakers abound in the summer months, almost as plentiful on lawns as rabbits. If you want to go the expensive route, find yourself some nice bookshelfs on the cheap, and I'll overcharge you for one of two or three killer mini-rigs I can put together for you to drive them. I'll even consider shipping them. But I suggest you go out and find that stuff your own self.

cnh

Get some reasonably efficient bookies and a little Lepai 2020A+ T-amp from partsexpress.com. It won't be ear bleeding loud but good enough. There are RCA L/R and 1/8" ipod inputs. For just a little over 30 bucks shipped it'll do what it needs to do and you can spend the rest on some small bookies. Maybe some of the new Pioneer SP-BS22 speakers ?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-300

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

cnh

polkfarmboy

There was a forum member here who was selling this awesome little all in one tube pre/amp with speakers that was a korean brand for super cheap under $200 I think

boston1450

I picked up a 30.00 Denon receiver. Then picked up a pair of Klipsch sb1's for 60.00 . Under 100 bucks. I have a sub hooked to it. But never need it. I use it for light music & is hooked to tv for music video's i collect. and its awesome. Under 100 bucks. Takes up very little space. You can do better if you shop around. yardsales/craigslist/local paper----good luck on your search

zingo

Craiglist is your ticket, and you should be able to do under $100 no problem if you watch the listings.

thsmith

Cheap is relative but I bought this for my wife for Christmas last year, $227. I using it on Patio with an Airport Express to stream music from my Mac mini. People who have heard it are suprised when they see it thinking it would be a large system. Speakers are ported in the rear and point them to a corner and the bass is quiet nice.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UXQKG8/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

c_corie

Thanks for all the replies but I'm trying to avoid used as it creeps me out a bit. After moving into my first apartment everything creeps me out a bit it seems. What if I went the micro bookshelf route and upped my budget to like $350

thsmith

c_corie wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies but I'm trying to avoid used as it creeps me out a bit. After moving into my first apartment everything creeps me out a bit it seems. What if I went the micro bookshelf route and upped my budget to like $350

See my post above.

Erik Tracy

Wireless headphones.....:cheesygrin:

nwohlford

I would consider a Teak system (it is a little above your price range, but if you don't need the ipod dock you could definitely get under $350 with selling it):
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/TEACH013SA/TEAC-H01.3-S-Digital-Streaming-Micro-System-Silver/1.html

I would also consider the Sonos Play 3 and Play 5. They make a very easy to use system, and you should be able to demo those somewhere close to you.

boston1450

NOT NEW. LOL. But if you see one of these,snag it--rotel rv555 verticle receiver. Its our office system and its hooked to some polk monitor 4's. these would make a perfect mini system for a bedroom & best of all-it doesnt take up much space and its awesome. Attachment not found.

leftwinger57

That Rotel is cool you could stick that anywhere. I never saw anything like that .

detroitHOOLIGAN

This is just another cheapo option. I bought this for my fishing cottage:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-445-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B004BD9W4W/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1372287329&sr=1-6&keywords=mini+denon

I didn't care for the speakers, and it runs at 4ohms, so I added some baby advents I modified. It plays clear and loud.

I also have the Lepai amp mentioned above running an ammo box stereo project I made. It sounds good but sometimes it needs a thump on the case because it cuts out. But it's fun for $20.

Lastly for cheap all in ones, I really like this one, and I put one in my father's neighboring cottage. This one, with all the doors and windows open, actually rocks the whole campground. It isn't audiophile quality, but that means little to me at the cottage. It is more of a H/T solution or soundbar alternative.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/electronics/mini-systems++teac-mc-dv600-dvd-micro-speaker/m-816136402/#_overview

@Boston that Rotel is cool as heck!!!:eek:

boston1450

leftwinger57 wrote: »

That Rotel is cool you could stick that anywhere. I never saw anything like that .

it is definetly rotel quality also.well made. I needed something for the shelf in office. The normal receiver size stuck out. Picked it up for 40 cheap bucks..i wouldnt mind a few of these. Matches well with small monitors too

boston1450

thsmith wrote: »

Cheap is relative but I bought this for my wife for Christmas last year, $227. I using it on Patio with an Airport Express to stream music from my Mac mini. People who have heard it are suprised when they see it thinking it would be a large system. Speakers are ported in the rear and point them to a corner and the bass is quiet nice.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UXQKG8/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

nice unit.

plainoledave

tivoli model one hooked up to an ipod/phone

RamZet

http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products/#/?department=10
iHome stuff isnt to bad.

PolkieMan

I got this for my wife, nice little system.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=927735&Q=&is=REG&A=details

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009RJWPS0/ref=asc_df_B009RJWPS02594342?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=cnet-ce-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B009RJWPS0