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When your wife...

My wife discovered that we need an audio system because my son is playing piano for 3 years and he needs an audio system. As long as I am unemployed I cannot afford too much.
So, my wife looking around came from a dealer with the clear idea that the best system is that one that she saw there:
Yamaha HTR-5660 Receiver for $260 and
PSB IMAGE 4T for $235.

Now, I am wondering if we can do better than this for $500. Is hard for me to believe that she went somewhere and at the first sight she came with the best system for $500.

The system it will be used for (in this order):
1. audio for TV
2. Radio listening (rock, classical, jazz)
3. DVD movies
4. auditioning DVD-audio, CDs and mp3s
5. keyboard for my son (classical piano)

So, I want to show her that an integrated amplifier and some bookshelf speakers can do better than a receiver and towers for $500.

We already have a DVD player Toshiba SD-4900 that we intend to use for playing DVD-audio, CDs and mp3s.

We live in an apartement in a building so the power is not the top priority for us. Rather quality at low and very low levels.

Anyone can help me with any advise?

Thank you very much
bogdana843
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Bogdan- You may or may not be able to do better, but it wouldn't be by much at the price point. so...I like Plato's suggestion and keep the peace and marital harmony and make your wife look good here!..Thats the best thing for sure! Your kids's not going to care about the sweetness of the highs or the soundstage and imaging anyway! :)... just MHO Ken
baileyje
45 posts
 
I had a Yamaha receiver and really liked it. I then moved to the NAD c320Bee and like it better. I would stick with the receiver because you listed radio listening as one of your top priorities. I think the Image 4T's are a great price, you probably can't do better. All in all, I think your wife is right!!
makersmark
44 posts
 
Forget that Bose stuff. And I like some Bose stuff. For sale right now is a used NAD 314 for $175obo and Axiom 3ti speakers for $200. Much better than the Yamaha and the PSB. You'll also save $150 if you get the guy with NAD down a bit. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
Buy a pre-1980 Japanese receiver and a pair of NHT Super Ones.
You'll get power and features galore, lots of inputs and reasonably full range given your money constraints.
The only drawback is no remote.
dbx
58 posts
 
I'm not a 100% sure but, I don't think any receiver pre 90's, maybe later had hook-ups for DVD-A. I could be wrong. The Yamaha receiver's not that bad. My brother in-law bought one and has been pretty happy with it. You might be able to do better on the speakers buying used here on A-gon, not that there's anything wrong with the PSB speaker. It's hard being an audiophile on a budget, but we've all been there. Get what you can afford, enjoy what you have, and when your situation improves, UPGRADE. :)
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