I really like my living room setup, intended for casual but satisfying listening that has minimal visual/esthetic impact. It uses a Teac A-H01 class D integrated amp, Magnepan MMGW speakers, Martin Logan 300 sub and — wait for it — Apple AirPort Express as source. Total price probably around $800, since I shopped pretty hard at the time and got some good deals. The electronics are small and can hide under the TV. The speakers are wall-mounted and I ordered them in a linen cloth cover that blends in with the walls. You get that sweet Maggie midrange and let the sub provide the bass. I will just add that if you told me I could only have a pair of cheap bookshelf speakers, Wharfedale’s Diamond series, even the tiniest model, sound pretty darn good. It’s all about synergy, both kit and the room.
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?
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- 110 posts total
- 110 posts total