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  3. 1327000735

How many enjoy low $ second system sound?

To many my $10K system of Zu Essence and various amps of SET mono's, SET integrated, hybrid integrated etc. might be meager pickings but even the founder of ZU was impressed with the sonics provided. But I am amazed how satisfying it is to listen to my new Energy RC 10's at less then $300/pr. connected to a rare, $200 Adcom SS integrated streaming jazz through my iMac connected with RShack 3.5mm y-connectors from computer to amp. All bought for back ground music in the evening's or Saturdays when I don't want to fire the SET tube monoblocks and just want some sound. This little set up is really satisfying and I am amazed how nice it sounds each time I listen. So now the question - how much have I overspent through the years when I am so taken back by $500 worth of components? Get's one to thinking!!
kckrs
inna
7,296 posts
 
I think showers have sound of their own. No bathroom stereo for me.
I did hear that some people, not audiophiles, installed quite a systems in their bathrooms, that were the size of my apartment or bigger.
onemug
784 posts
 
I enjoy my low cost system a ton but don't regret the money spent on my high cost one a bit.

I have less than a 1000 invested in the low cost one. It's a pair of Altec Valencia cabinets with JBL/Dynaudio insides, driven by a vintage Marantz receiver (2270,18 or 19 depending on the month).

I love it for what it is and sounds and as a bonus it makes me really appreciate the big system for what it is.

I do not think I would be happy with a sub 1000 Best Buy system though. What I have learned over the years is "how" to put together a system.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
yup, I'm this category too - enjoy my bedroom system a lot. It's not as cheap as I would have liked it to be but much cheaper than my main rig. Yields fantastic sound & unlike Doug Schroeder the sonics do not wear on me. it does not come close to my main rig but it makes mighty fine music & for me that't what matters most - technology serving music (as Ken Stevens puts it).
Like Onemug I have not regrets spending all that I did on my main rig (I'd do it again, if needed) but the paltry amount (in comparison) spent on the bedroom rig is every bit worth it to me. FWIW.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I have really enjoyed the bedroom system I have put together with some HornShoppe Horns and a MiniWatt amp. Really nice combo and the advantage of the single driver design of the Hornshoppe is that it sounds quite nice and still reveals a good deal of detail at low volume.

Other thoughts for a successful second system is to get one that has different strengths or a different type of sound than you find in your main rig. That way you are more able to appreciate what the second system does and highlights rather than thinking of it as just an inferior version of the main rig.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,227 posts
 
I like Roscoeiii's comment about the systems' having differing strengths.

Also, low cost is a relative thing. If you're fortunate enough to have a $200,000k plus main system, your low cost system could be $20-30k. Even if you eliminate cost from the equation I think it's a good thing for audiophiles to have more than one better quality system.
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