Budget 2CH Rig for Newbies - A Challenge

verb

So I've been thinking about this for a while. How did I get started on my journey to being an Audio Enthusiast? I was just a high school kid with little cash.

For others out there, how does one dip their toes in, without breaking the bank? Or suddenly find themselves single?

When I first joined CP, I was simply amazed at the prices of some components, and never thought I could even come close. A year later, well, you all know what happened!

I have several buddies that are interested, but really don't know where to start. They look at so many high end rigs out there, and even my WIP rig, and get discouraged due to the cost.

You know and I know this is a journey. A blast of a journey I might add!

So if you knew someone who wants to get in the game, but doesn't want to spend a ton of coin, and still be amazed at what can be done on a budget - What would that rig look like?

Most of them have portable digital players and HT setups, iTunes on the computer, haven't bought a CD in ages, etc., nothing really optimized for pure music.

Of course quality used components is the way to go, IMO. Lot's of quality offerings here on CP for sure! I for one, love a bargain!

The challenge:

As a start, let's say $1500 max initial spend. Too little? Too much? You be the judge.

Components to start a newbie 2CH rig might include:

1. Control Amp
2. Power Amp
3. CD player
4. TT (optional)
5. Speakers
6. Speaker Wire (after making them a cable believer!)
7. Etc
   

Is that even possible nowadays? I think so. Plenty of bargains out there, if you're patient.

Of course, once bitten, down the rabbit hole, another journey just might commence!

Let me know your thoughts. I'll keep tabs and tally the total costs over some time and put a recommended list together.

Let the challenge begin!

verb

I'm gonna start. Posted this earlier but a nice Hafler 9180 Amp for 2 hundie!

mhardy6647

This isn't an answer but at my other favorite-est hifi forum there's a whole subforum devoted to the topic.



Take a look -- it won't hurt. Just one. All the cool kids are doin' it!

https://hifihaven.org/index.php?forums/the-doorway.22/

verb

Very cool! Thanks Mark! Learned a new usage for the term Doorway!

verb

And, I see you frequent the place!

verb

Slight derail, but professor you've been found! I miss the ole distressed box!

mhardy6647

Anxious Box.
He's...

anxious.

Should I bring him back?

codycatalist

My whole system I got for less than a grand (if you take away the crossover upgrades). I think the best things for a newbie to do is go to a Goodwill or the like and experiment, learn about what is good, be patient and check local listings. Test out components in house so you can make sure they don't throw any magic smoke.

My System (and prices paid)

Control Amp - Denon PRA-1200 (free but around $250 on the bay)

Power Amp - Adcom GFA 545 mk1 (Recapped and tested, purchased for $120 on Clist)

CD player - None

TT (optional) - Pioneer PL510 with Grado Black2 Cart (TT $10 at thrift shop, $75 for cart)

Speakers - SDA 2B ($120 Clist)

Speaker Wire (after making them a cable believer!) - Furez 10g from Douglasconnections ($40ish)

Chromecast Audio - $15

Fx Tube Preamp/Buffer (Including the Linear PS) - $65

Total - $695


Heck let's go through my HT and add it on top

Marantz SR7000 - $40

RTA11TL - $150

Velodyne CHT12 - $24

HT Total: $214

HT + 2 Ch

Grand Total - $909


Now I will mention this isn't the total amount I have spent on ALL things audio, just what I am currently using. If we are looking at my journey it would probably be around 3-5K

FestYboy

Back on topic... I vote that you drop the buy-in to 500 for a real challenge. To get somewhere special, deals will have to be found, but that's the game isn't it? Now to be fair, I wouldn't insist on cables or ICs, just speakers, amp/pre or integrated, CDP, and turntable. I propose it can be done... If I cherry pick some of my better deals, I can get all that with room to spare. I know @la2vegas can do even better than me.

dragon1952

If I only had $1500 I'd start with a used integrated, like a Marantz PM6005 maybe? I've seen a couple recently one for $250 and one for $300. You can find very nice used CD players for $200-$250 like the Rotel RCD-1072 in the For Sale section now. Budget $700 for used speakers and you've still got $300 for wiring.
Personally, I'd probably go with a combo amp/preamp/DAC and do a streaming solution. Something like the PS Audio Sprout for $400 used, you could pick up a small footprint used PC for dedicated audio for a couple hundred, add a USB degrunger in between, you could still find a very decent set of speakers for $500-$600 and then have a couple hundred for wiring. I'd probably go Blue Jeans LC-1 for interconnects and go with a similar budget minded speaker wire.

verb

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Anxious Box.
He's...

anxious.

Should I bring him back?

That’s a 10-4!

verb

Great suggestions! Keep em coming!

verb

FestYboy wrote: »

Back on topic... I vote that you drop the buy-in to 500 for a real challenge. To get somewhere special, deals will have to be found, but that's the game isn't it? Now to be fair, I wouldn't insist on cables or ICs, just speakers, amp/pre or integrated, CDP, and turntable. I propose it can be done... If I cherry pick some of my better deals, I can get all that with room to spare. I know @la2vegas can do even better than me.

Too easy! Bar was a bit high maybe!

GlennDog

Your hoarders closet has got to have the potential to "hook up" at least 3 of your crew members .... lol

Tony M

Let him plug his phone or stream from what-ever to an older receiver.

Unless you're promoting separate components only.

dragon1952

Yeah, $1500 is pretty generous. I remember about 15 yrs ago I had a secondary system in a small bedroom consisting of one of the lower powered 70's vintage Marantz receivers, a pair of Baby Advents and a cheap Sherwood CD player....total cost of probably under $500.... and at times it almost sounded better than my main system :^ /

delkal

You have to think about the regular people and Millenials. For most of them $1500 is not dipping their toes in. Its their end game. Luckily with a little shopping and searching on Craiglist you can blow them away for well under $1500. They are used to Ipods and MP3's.

So for $500 I will play. A used Sony ES 9000ES CD player for about / less than $200. A pair of Polk monitor 10's for $100. And a Monoprice 50 watt tube Hybrid amp for $150. And some DIY speaker stands, cheap interconnects and 12 ga Lamp cord for $50 and you have a decent sounding system for $500. I experimented with this same setup and it sounds pretty good and I still listen to it occasionally. Anyone under 30 will be amazed.

verb

All right 500 bucks it is. Now that’s a challenge!

tonyb

First, we have to make a few assumptions. Assuming 2 channel, not too old and vintage looking for the WAF factor, not too complicated either.

So maybe a used Peach tree Nova, a set of used Kef 300 bookies. Audioquest type 4 speaker cables. That should put them in the realm of good sound. Add a Bluesound node 2I as a source and let them have at it.

FestYboy

The Bay is your friend here for the seperates. Craigslist for the speakers. This is my experience for best bang for the buck consistently.

verb

What do you guys think about some of the vintage Adcom or NAD stuff? I remember them getting raves in the past. Lot's of deals on those pieces.

dragon1952

I don't know. I think compared to newer technology, and at similar price points, the Adcom stuff has pretty much been left in the dust. As for NAD, and I've owned quite a few of their offerings in the past, I just was never all that impressed.

verb

tonyb wrote: »

First, we have to make a few assumptions. Assuming 2 channel, not too old and vintage looking for the WAF factor, not too complicated either.

So maybe a used Peach tree Nova, a set of used Kef 300 bookies. Audioquest type 4 speaker cables. That should put them in the realm of good sound. Add a Bluesound node 2I as a source and let them have at it.

Peachtree is a lot of bang for the buck! Love mine!

audioluvr

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Anxious Box.
He's...

anxious.

Should I bring him back?

Of course he's anxious. He has a huge cut over his eye from his future ex-wife...

Tony M

How about something WIRELESS?

audioluvr

As far as I'm concerned its all about the sell. You work hard for a living (okay, some of us). In your free time you want to do something that relaxes you. Some people will spend $50,000 on a travel trailer. Some people will spend $50,000 on a boat. Some will spend it on a sports car or vacations or all of the above. Why not spend a few thousand on something you can enjoy every day after work in the comfort of your own home with your family either with you or close by (to bring you beers)?

FestYboy

verb wrote: »

What do you guys think about some of the vintage Adcom or NAD stuff? I remember them getting raves in the past. Lot's of deals on those pieces.

You know how I feel about them

Tony M

I love my NAD C-370 integrated!

delkal

verb wrote: »

What do you guys think about some of the vintage Adcom or NAD stuff? I remember them getting raves in the past. Lot's of deals on those pieces.

You can find lots of Adcom stuff on Craiglist for cheap. They got OK ratings back in the day but i have never personally heard one. If you can find on older one that doesn't have bad caps they should work for a while. So crank it up, have fun and you should get your moneys worth.

All of the NAD stuff I had died. I would not recommend a older / vintage piece.

Tony M

Every NAD vintage amps and integrated amps I've owned worked for as long as I owned them. They all needed De-oxing but that's easy on them.

halo

OK folks, you're also talking about a group of people who think Beats and Bose are the bees knees (and that stuff is not cheap). But, they're willing to spend $ to get the "best." They typically like to buy new. Sure, you can find amazing bargains buying used but you have to be patient and diligent.

Most millennials want to go to the store, buy some stuff, take it home, and enjoy it.

So, here's what I think they might go for with help from a seasoned Polkster:

Active speakers: Klipsch R-51PM $449
Streamer: Bluesound Node 2i $499
iTunes or Tidal = $9.99 a month, I think Pandora is still free, not sure about Spotify
Single speaker cable to connect them should be furez 14/2 from Doug ($ depends on length). You'll need a basic USB and or optical cable to get you started (upgrade later). Sub cable should be inexpensive to start (Amazon basics?)
Subwoofer: Monoprice 9723 $99
Turntable: Fluance RT82 or Uturn Orbit Custom (Grado Black w/ cue lever) $274

That's $1320 w/ out the speaker cable or optical cable or USB or sub cable.

Upgrade to Klipsch the Sixes and you're still only at $1470.