Best bang-for-the-buck components

2

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2009
    I'll also add for those want's to do x-over upgrades

    Clarity Caps PX series sound fantastic..........are they really that inexpensive ;)

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2009
    If you don't mind the looks the Behringer 2030p and 2031p are really good values for the money. Plus like any other speaker out there you can improve them with a few easy tweaks.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2009
    steveinaz wrote:
    Let's keep it going, theres got to be more "giant slayer" equipment out there....

    I'm of the opinion that most of what people consider to be "giant slayers" really aren't. They may be ok to good pieces of gear at good prices but the giants are usually giants for a reason.

    Bang-for-the-buck is something different. It means you are really getting good value for your money. Not necessarily something that sounds "just as good as gear costing 10 times more" but performs a notch or two above it's peers in the same price range.

    I am a fan of NAD CDPs which are no frill, good sounding players (if you like their sound) but they are really priced in line with their competition. However, I do think the NAD integrated amps over the years have been excellent bang-for-the-buck pieces. I think they have been mid-fi+ products at entry level hi-fi prices. Items like the C340, C370 and C320BEE would fall into the BFTB category IMO.

    As others have said, the Dodd ELP.

    The best BFTB speakers I have ever purchased were my Polk RT400s. It was marketed as an entry level speaker pretty much for HT. It was one of those speakers that wasn't necessarily designed to be as good as it is (IMO)...but for some reason the end result is better than it should be.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2009
    jinjuku wrote: »
    [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.

    STFU ju ju, you muck up more threads, cause more trouble, and troll more than anyone else on the forum.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited October 2009
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I'll also add for those want's to do x-over upgrades

    Clarity Caps PX series sound fantastic..........are they really that inexpensive ;)

    H9

    What about Solens?
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2009
    Speaking of bang for the buck: I just picked up a Parasound HCA 1000a used for 1 day at a home-a-rama for $200. Thing is PRISTINE. getting put into my 2.1 living room setup.

    Other bang for the buck is DIY both speakers and cables.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited October 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    What about Solens?

    IMHO, Solens are good, but Clarity Caps are great. The Solens are still better than any stock component, but they are a bit grainy and "shouty". I recently swapped out Solens and swapped in Clarity Caps (PX series) on the high pass in the 5B's.

    Woo Weeeee, what a nice difference. Solens are great for low pass where they aren't in the signal path. I left the Solens on the low pass in the 5B's, no complaints there

    Again in keeping with this thread at almost an identical cost the Clarity cap PX series vs. Solen fastcaps............the Clarity are more natural sounding, have a larger soundstage and are very smooth, open and detailed. I knew there might be a small perceivable difference, but I didn't expect it to be so noticeable.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited October 2009
    Too funny... Thanks to CFRIZZ.
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited October 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    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:

    What are your picks?

    I agree this can be a good thread. I think the above statement is actually all of us.:) Just everyone's budget varies. Many if they could slide there budget up would probably replace something in their rig, no matter how good what they have is.

    I will toss out the eD A2-300 for a HT sub that is very bang for the buck.
    Other than that I think all the best bang for the buck is in used, and B stock/demo gear if you are not afraid to go that route.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited October 2009
    deleted
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited October 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    . . . get the best we can for our dollar . . .

    I've had great luck with NAD pre-amps, power amps and CD players.

    Specifically, the 1700 pre-amp/tuner paired with a 2600a power amp. This combo will musically power any Polk 2ch speakers providing exceptional sound. These vintage used components can be acquired used and sent off for professional re-capping/rebuilding for a total cost of under $500 total. In my opinion, this $500 setup compares favorably with a $2-3K similar purchase in 2009.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2009
    I believe I paid $735 for my Parasound HCA-1500A new; though it was an unauthorized dealer. Luckily it has run beautifully so far almost 8 years. (*knock on wood)
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2009
    I have to give a shout-out to Sony entry level CD players. I tell friends who are not hi-fi enthusiast, but want a good player that is inexpensive, to go with Sony. I think Sony builds the best inexpensive players out there. In the mid 90's I ran a Sony 5-disc changer for probably 7-8 years. It was not an "ES" edition, just a standard.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,031
    edited October 2009
    Dodd MLP
    Tyler Acoustic's speakers [any that I have heard, even the bookshelves]
    Anthem1 tube amp
    Radii tube amp
    Focal 807v's
    Jolida JD100 tube CDP
    Velodyne SMS-1
    Bob Carver's new tube amps
    Polk SDA 1.2tl's/modded
    Dodd ELP
    Manley Stingray
    VMPS Larger Subwoofer
    ...and last but not least, Polk SDA 1C's
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2009
    Rotel 855 CD Player--100 bucks--heck of a transport.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Roy Munson
    Roy Munson Posts: 886
    edited October 2009
    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 once offered a Emotiva amp free to a homeless guy...he told me to go to hell!;)
    2 Channel:
    Amp/Parasound Halo A23
    Pre/Carver C-1
    Tuner/Carver TX-11a
    CDP/Jolida JD 100A
    Turntable/AR XB-Shure V15 III
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  • buymesome
    buymesome Posts: 281
    edited October 2009
    Nice thread , that lil kieko guy annoys me the way he just jumps into fightts and now trying to keep it going but enought emo bashing guys show some respect for other companies

    I would have to add my Denon 2500btci $240 dollars and extra 3 yrs at $27 you cant go wrong and will look beautiful in any ones rack
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,564
    edited October 2009
    Roy Munson wrote: »
    I once offered a Emotiva amp free to a homeless guy...he told me to go to hell!;)

    Classic!!! :D
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,564
    edited October 2009
    Older/vintage VTL/Manley tubes amps.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Older/vintage VTL/Manley tube amps.

    He,he,, yes sir,, especially the ones that use 6CA7/EL-34,,, and 6L6's
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,031
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Older/vintage VTL/Manley tubes amps.
    That's for sure.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited November 2009
    buymesome wrote: »
    Nice thread , that lil kieko guy annoys me the way he just jumps into fightts and now trying to keep it going but enought emo bashing guys show some respect for other companies

    Nobody has bashed anything. The Emoettes take it that was because we will not convert to their cult-like way of thinking. Keiko is a stand up guy that, like F1 and others, calls it like they see it. He does not jump into fights, nor does he seek conflict. Rather he tries to cast a light on the absurd.

    Posted by Xcapri
    He obviously isn't very smart since he is homeless. But you make a good point.
    It seems like dumb people dislike Emotiva.

    Just because most of us do not care for Emotiva does not mean we are dumb. It simply means we do not like that gear for ourselves. Further, I think it dumb to spend a grand on an Emo when you could get a Parasound or Rotel for the SAME money, and have an amp that is a much better performer...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,047
    edited November 2009
    It would be helpful that anyone posting a negative comment about a piece of gear would describe their actual negative experience with that gear or offer the results of any actual comparisons they've done of that gear versus others. Otherwise the posts aren't very useful.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • pachito1410
    pachito1410 Posts: 1
    edited November 2009
    Dear Friends:

    I own the DVD 360 from Polk but for two channel audio, I have a pair of Eficion F200 and an all-in-one Audio Analogue Enigma, the sound is very clear and detail and the system has a great bass.

    Regards

    Victor
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited November 2009
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    It would be helpful that anyone posting a negative comment about a piece of gear would describe their actual negative experience with that gear or offer the results of any actual comparisons they've done of that gear versus others. Otherwise the posts aren't very useful.


    That would be for another discussion. Now back to the regular programming...

    Another great group of gear that should be mentioned would be the classic high-end turntables made by Denon, Linn, Sony, Yamaha and others. My experiences with high end vitage tables so far leads me to conclude that their performance matches and in some cases exceeds a modern table and does so for far less money. The catch is to find one that has been impecably maintained.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,047
    edited November 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    That would be for another discussion. Now back to the regular programming...

    I guess you're the policeman of relevant posts? :rolleyes:

    This thread is a good discussion and I'm not trying to derail it. I'm just saying that objective info is helpful. Bashing is not.

    Now back to the regular programming...
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2009
    george daniel wrote: »
    Rotel 855 CD Player--100 bucks--heck of a transport.

    I agree. However, it's getting up in years. Mine lasted about 18 years before it died on my brother, I had it for 15 of those years & it got used daily.

    It would have been 20yrs old next year. I would try to get the newer
    RCD-1072 on Audiogon.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited November 2009
    IMO, an independent electric circuit with a separate wire ground are one of the first (and cheapest) upgrades a 2 Channel audio enthusiast can do before spending money elsewhere. Add a PS Audio PowerPort Premier outlet and the power conditioner of your choice, and then whatever you plug in to it will sound better.

    Second, vibration damping devices under the feet of components is a cheap, high-yield audio investment (Brightstar Isonodes, Viprapods, Mason Neoprene and Cork, Herbies Audio Labs products).
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Older/vintage VTL/Manley tubes amps.

    I agree,when David Manley was still designing tube circuits for his original VTL brand and his 2nd venture Manley Labs i believe that they were some of the best amplifiers made during that period of time....WCW III
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • Cpyder
    Cpyder Posts: 514
    edited November 2009
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    It would be helpful that anyone posting a negative comment about a piece of gear would describe their actual negative experience with that gear or offer the results of any actual comparisons they've done of that gear versus others. Otherwise the posts aren't very useful.

    If your looking for facts and objectivity, you've come to the right place. :)
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