Best bang-for-the-buck components

steveinaz

Many of us build our systems within a budget, but still want get the best we can for our dollar. List some of what you believe to be excellent cost/perfomance ratio components you've run across. Here's some of my selections:

- Cambridge line of CD players
- Rotel RCD-1072 CD player
- Parasound P/HP-850 preamp (when it was available)
- Benchmark DAC's
- Bel Canto DAC's

What are your picks?

dkg999

In addition to Polk speakers I would have to say that almost every Parasound component I have experience with has fit that description!

thuffman03

Used Carver and Adcom amps and preamps are a great value.

concealer404

Probably a bit lower on the totem pole than your list, but here's what i've experienced:

1) Onkyo M-series amps. CHEAP, very warm, very adequate power
2) Non-GFP adcom preamps. CHEAP, amazing performers for the cost, can easily find for $100. For $100, how can you go wrong?

nooshinjohn

you can add Nakamichi Stasis amps to the list

steveinaz

I need to add the mid-line SVS subwoofers. IMO, the "Ultras" are great, but get pretty spendy.

bklynNupe

This is a great thread Steveinaz

My SVS Sub, no regrets.

heiney9

Vintage Polk's, especially SDA's.

Nakamichi CA-5 pre-amp

Canare Star Quad speaker cable, homebrew or purchased.

Signal Cable's, especially Analog II

Adcom 535/545/555

Adcom GDA 600/700 dac's

PS Audio Power Punch power cables

Gaara

Trends Audio TA-10 Amp
Sonic Impact T-Amp
Promitheus Audio TVC
Endler Audio Shotgun Attenuators
DIY Paridise Monica DAC
AV123 Onix X-Ls
Gainclone Amps
RWA/Bolder modded SB3
Monarchy Audio SM-70 Amp
Onkyo A-9555

Cpyder

Again, lower down on the price list, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say a single bad thing about Emotiva amps.

heiney9

^^you are just to start trouble.

H9

concealer404

Cpyder wrote: »

Again, lower down on the price list, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say a single bad thing about Emotiva amps.

I don't think you've read a whole lot of threads here.

Or you're joking. Can't tell which.

heiney9

concealer404 wrote: »

I don't think you've read a whole lot of threads here.

Or you're joking. Can't tell which.

He is a Trouble maker with a capital T.

Let's not muck this thread up..........this is my last word.

H9

erniejade

Carver C-19 preamp and Onkyo Integra integrated and separates. Carver amps, Some of the old Kenwood amps also with the dual mono design sounded great. Jolida cd-100 used.

pearsall001

Room Treatments
Speakers
Gear of your choice

ben62670

SL-1200 TT's
Great way to get into vinyl.

xj4094dg

Parasound H23 - $500.00 (bought on this forum)
Nakamichi CA-5 Pre - $225.00 (bought on this forum, thanks Heiney9)

Parasound HCA220ii - $1000.00 (bought new in 1995)

All still sounding great with LSi9's, CRS +'s and Maggies.

For the money some awesome sound!

danger boy

xj4094dg wrote: »

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" John Lennon

I like your sig.

one of my fave lines from John Lennon.

Ern Dog

PNF Symphony speaker cables
Modwright preamp

BlueFox

Cambridge-Audio 840W amps in mono bridged mode. I have two, and in the Spring 2010 Buyers' Guide the absolute sound ranked them in "The 18 Greatest Bargains in High-End Audio", page 176, along with the 840C CD player. I love it when I accidently do the right thing.

george daniel

Dodd ELP

Cpyder

heiney9 wrote: »

^^you are just to start trouble.

H9

I really don't understand a lot of people on this forum. Everyone is so edgy about everything here. Please, tell me how my honest opinions, which I don't even understand could be interpreted to "cause trouble", are causing trouble?

Cpyder

Across many, many internet sources, I've read almost universal acclaim on Emotiva amps (Specifically XPA-2). I had no clue apparently many people have vendettas against the company here, on CP. As evidenced by this post:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4050550809_b2b7e470f6_o.png

and others..

If you feel my honest word is here to cause trouble, I'm not sure this forum is continuing to be productive anymore. Someone should not be ridiculed for his ideas, and it happens here way to much in my opinion. A productive forum should embrace opposing views, not attack them. I'm sure the founders of CP also shared this vision when they sat down to create this place.

tonyb

Cpyder wrote: »

Across many, many internet sources, I've read almost universal acclaim on Emotiva amps (Specifically XPA-2). I had no clue apparently many people have vendettas against the company here, on CP. As evidenced by this post:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4050550809_b2b7e470f6_o.png

and others..

If you feel my honest word is here to cause trouble, I'm not sure this forum is continuing to be productive anymore. Someone should not be ridiculed for his ideas, and it happens here way to much in my opinion. A productive forum should embrace opposing views, not attack them. I'm sure the founders of CP also shared this vision when they sat down to create this place.

Oh cry me a river......Nobody has a vendetta against emotive. We all have opinions and thats what we share.Thats what the club is about,sharing opinions and personal experiences. Just so happens that some don't like emotive gear,so what. Some do like it,so what. Maybe mommy will make you a PBJ sandwich and everything will be OK. Unfriggin' believable!!

steveinaz

Come on guys, give it a break. He's got the right to an opinion. I haven't heard any Emotiva gear, so I can't comment on performance--but the pricing seems very good if the stuff sounds as good as it measures.

Let's keep it going, theres got to be more "giant slayer" equipment out there....

Toolfan66

george daniel wrote: »

Dodd ELP

If you can find one.;)

cnh

For their value Harman Kardon 3000 series Receivers are not bad...they're cheap they sound O.K. and can power 4ohm loads...A cheap way to power lower SDAs and have all the other extras of a full blown stereo receiver.

And I also like the early Adcom amps, heiney9 mentions above...great value for the dollar and almost indestructible.

I would also add Polk M-series speakers at discounted prices...almost impossible to beat in that price class.

And anything Halo series (Parasound)...used of course!

And maybe the earlier PS3 that was backward compatible and could also do SACDs? A real multi-tasker.

cnh

Toolfan66

Keiko wrote: »

Congratulations on effing/crapping up yet another thread, Cpyder.

A good thread at that. this thread could be/will be very helpful.

On a side note I own a XPA-3 and its running my front stage in my HT and it's doing it's job just fine, fanboi? not a chance. with that said the XPA-3 is a good bang for your buck if your looking for a "NEW UNIT" with a budget in mind and want the warranty.


My picks are (only because I have them) and got them at great prices.

Adcom GFP-750 GFP-715 GFA-5802 GCD-750 GFP-585.

jinjuku

Cpyder wrote: »

Across many, many internet sources, I've read almost universal acclaim on Emotiva amps (Specifically XPA-2). I had no clue apparently many people have vendettas against the company here, on CP. As evidenced by this post:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4050550809_b2b7e470f6_o.png

and others..

If you feel my honest word is here to cause trouble, I'm not sure this forum is continuing to be productive anymore. Someone should not be ridiculed for his ideas, and it happens here way to much in my opinion. A productive forum should embrace opposing views, not attack them. I'm sure the founders of CP also shared this vision when they sat down to create this place.

[Sarcasm] Welcome to Club Polk[/Sarcasm]

You are free to mention any bang for the buck component you want free of ridicule (like all the other posts here) excepting Emotiva.

Then you go ahead and make everything worse by defending your self against ad hominem attacks. How dare you. I mean you (not keiko, tonyb, h9) crapped the thread with your post about the XPA-2.

Face

Cambridge DacMagic, 640P, and CDP's
Gainclones
Passive Preamps
Dodd ELP
Sometimes, Crossover Upgrades
Room Treatments

cnh

Stay on point...if you think Emotiva should be on the list. Go for it. Let's not muck up the thread with yet another debate about Emotiva or no Emotiva.

State your opinion and move on. Let's keep this going.

cnh