If your experience by choice is exclusive to high-priced and difficult-to-source gear, it is easy to forget how much progress has taken place in audio quality at lower price points in the market. Progress to a level of satisfaction for many may have taken years of listening and equipment experimentation, but nothing stands still at any level, and it is possible that with newer products from newer producers, reaching a level of satisfaction may take much less time and treasure than in the past. It's all good.
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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- 128 posts total
- 128 posts total