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Best Budget Rig sub $600

Hey out there.

I'm a college student currently running a pair of Sennheiser 600s through a Rega Ear amp. This minimalist setup has served me well throughout my college years. In a few months I'll be moving into my own apartment and I'm ready to invest in my first substantial home audio system.

Here's the deal:

I don't care about surround-sound. I just want 2 channels. All I want is an amp and a set of left/right speakers.

Anyone have any recommendations? It's going to be a relatively small apartment and I am not going to need a ton of volume. (I don't want to disturb my new neighbors)

After cables and such, I don't want to spend more than $600 bucks.

After browsing C-net's electronics reviews for a few hours I've come up with the following setup. Let me know if you think I can do better! Here's the best deals I've found:

Amp: Harmon Kardon HK3480 ($260)
Speakers: JBL E90 ($209)
jonnyrocketti
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,770 posts
 
For speakers, pick up a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.2 speakers currently for $250 (list $550) at Audio Advisor . Can't do too much better for the price.

For your amplifier, go with a NAD C320BEE integrated amp ($400 list) or alternatively, if you can spare an additional $200, an Outlaw RR2150 receiver directly from Outlaw Audio .

I own all three components and am very pleased with how they perform.

Sensible Sound has just given high marks to Onkyo 503 receiver . J&R Music has it for $225. I owned a prior version (434) and it was a very good amp ... just an average tuner.

Regards, Rich
bdgregory
1,712 posts
 
on that budget you'll be better off buying used. For example - used AMC Solid state power amps are an incredible value at about $100 or so on ebay (AMC 2100 - 100 w/c). Then you can get a separate preamp for $100 or so (Adcom, NAD, Parasound). There are no receivers that will touch this for sound quality.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
A Jolida JD 1701 hybrid int. amp is the most musical amp you can buy new for $500 (retail) or around 300-$350 used. I highly recommend this int. amp. Do not be put off by the 50w per ch. rating. Sounds more like 100w. A great int. amp! (www.audioreview.com has a few comments on this amp.) I've owned the Jolida all tube 20w model and the hybrid JD 1301 and this JD 1701 sounds by far the best.) Owned quite a few other int. amps as well and this is the one I would recommend above all the others. Spks, the Tannoy MX1-M/Fusion 1 would be an excellent, modern affordable spk. Better still would be some vintage ADS spks. Bill
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I think the amp is a good choice but I prefer NHT SB-2s over the JBLs. It should be easy to find the NHTs discounted.
cdc
1,785 posts
 
"After cables and such, I don't want to spend more than $600 bucks."

How much are you planning on paying for cables :-)

Seriously though,
Second the NHT SB-3's or Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 ($300)which are a little more clear and analytical.
Better still would be used Epos M5's or M-12's. Stay away from ELS-3.
I had the Harman / Ascends and got really nice "high end" sound but too analytical for me - more of a "home theater" sound. I think NHT would've been better,
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