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Really Inexpensive Systems That Sounded Great?

I think there is a big difference between "cheap" and inexpensive. I have blown money on "cheap" cables and immediately regretted it when my ears started bleeding from the brightness in my digital components. I also don’t mean "bargains" like the time I scored $2000 speakers for $200 on Craigslist, that is basically luck.

I am talking about inexpensive (less than $1500) for a system that sounded really great to you.

I fell into a whole house audio system from DTS Play-Fi because I wanted to try and compare different brands. I picked up Play-Fi amps, preamps and active speakers made by Polk, Paradigm, Klipsch, Onkyo and DefTech all for less than $1000 a pop. For what it is, whole house audio/casual listening it sounds great.

What inexpensive great sounding systems have you tried?

 

kota1
vinpic
34 posts
 

KEF LS50 driven by a good entry level integrated (LUMIN M1, Simon Audio AIO, …)   Crazy potential when paired with serious amps and complemented by a Sub 

Next level up is Boenicke W5 speakers driven by crayon CIA-1T amp and the source/dac if your choice.  Difficult to do better unless you spend x2.5 the budget

 

 

 

lanx0003
852 posts
 

My current 2nd system: Ifi Zen Streamer ($300) -> Smsl Do200 ($400) -> Parasound NC 2125 v2 ($600) -> NHT SB3 ($250) = $1550 😊

frankmc195's avatar
frankmc195
174 posts
 

Carver 500t amp with Carver c2 preamp bought off ebay for $700.00. Klipsch SB3 speakers used on ebay for $165.00. Sony SMP200 player for $36.00 on ebay and a small tv to show the selection from the Sony player for less than $100.00 from goodwill. It sounded great! Around $1000.00 total.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,166 posts
 

Nothing , at that price point , I just built a second audio system for the Mrs.

it has a Parasound A23+ amplifier shop,around I got a open box $1400, 

AudioGD  demo model $1k very under the radar, 

the very much reviewed Gustard R26, better then my pontus-2/after synergistic purple fuse  local dealer $1600+ fuse, Pangea sig mk2 power cords ,

Wireworld Eclipse xlr Audio cables . Older Klipsch speakers I rebuilt the Xovers 
the Equinox is a lower cost cable option still very good for others on more of a budget.

It sounds like a $10k system all day .having owned a audio store and 40+ years in making system synergy . There are a lot of bargains out there 

guamie
12 posts
 

My current system. Conrad Johnson PV12 preamp ($500) score!!!!

Super Clef Ribbons ( free!!! ) given to me by the late Bob Gross’s wife from his listening room. Amazing speakers!!!

2 Bryston 3b NPR amplifier that’s bridged to each Clefs ( $500 for the pair )

Kenwood KD500 with Signet XK50 tonearm ( free!!! ) also from Bob Gross personal stash.

The reason I’ve gotten much more free stuff from Bob Gross is that I’ve build new Clefs bookshelf and the TL using all his parts that he had and audio gear he used for shows and sold them  to help Mrs Gross financially.

I’ve built myself a set of his Super Clef and TL and are truly amazing speakers.

 

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