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How cheap can you go and still be happy with the sound?

I would think many guys on this forum are spoilt by the gear they have and never listen anymore on cheap rigs.

I was listening recently on my younger daughter’s PC audio rig and got reminded again of how good it sounds. There is a fairly high level of clarity, detail, tonal balance and great bass in this rig.

 

- Yamaha HS8 powered monitors: $700 to $800

- Yamaha WXC-50 MusicCast streamer+dac+preamp: $450, often found on A4L for around $300

- Audioquest Powerquest PQ3 (was around $200 or so)

 

IMO, this would qualify as a high quality (sonically) charity price hifi rig for any younger or older person w.r.t small room nearfield or midfield listening.

 

What is the cheapest rig that has brought you happiness these days?

 

deep_333
jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
323 posts
 

The setup I had before my current one consisted of a Yamaha S301 integrated, some Polk Monitor 7s I’ve had since new in 1989, a Sunfire True Super Jr sub, and a MacBook Pro for streaming and digital library.  I think it cost a total of $2000 or so.  It sounded really good for what it was.  I could likely enjoy something costing much less choosing the right components.

immatthewj
1,847 posts
 

Wow.  Does this ring any bells?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but, a 11 by 12 closet is not hifi, it is about as lofi as it gets for a room. That Hegel isn’t hifi either. Hence, you’re just not a hifi guy anymore ..you are a midfi/lofi kinda guy ( and such is life).

Just don’t overthink it, get whatever li’l box, put it in the 11 by 12 closet, lower all expectations and make do with it.. If you restrict your playlist to female vocals @ 60db, everything should work fine (make you feel like you’re very hifi or something).

God bless.

lanx0003
767 posts
 

Wharfedale Diamond 225 - $300 (more low-end extension) or

Sony SSCS 5 $198 (more airy bigger soundstage)

Fosi v3 w/ 32 volt SMPS - $72

Wiim Pro Plus - $220

Mica Awg 14 speak cable $25

RCA cable - World Best cable Mogami 2964 - $27

Total: $644 plus tax (w/ Wharfedale); $542 plus tax (w/ Sony).

No PC please.

ghdprentice
6,864 posts
 

Over the last fifty years each upgrade has represented an improvement over the last. First for my main system, then I added a separate headphone system and upgraded it slowly as well. I guess it would be really hard to go backwards at all. I have put an enormous effort into making them better and better.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,102 posts
 

I put together a top notch ear monitor setup using existing iphone and Roon streaming software for <$200.

Cost goes up from there for other applications depending mainly on room size and other more subjective considerations. Multiple source devices will also up the cost accordingly.

I  have <$3k invested in my family room system which I suspect is one that most people might be able to live with.

I’ve managed to bring down the cost of my "reference" system by several K in recent years but still way more than any of these.

 

 

 

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