Topic: Intro playback

[bagtagsell]

I've never had a good playback system.  And it seems like it is going to be my next step in musical gear enjoyment.  I want to do 2 channels right now, with an option to go to 5.  If I have $500 to throw around what would be some good recomendations?

[BJ]

Oade has some Tannoy 5.1 speakers advertised on his site...I did not see a price, but found the same set new on ebay for roughly 300$..which would leave you about 200$ for a decent reciever....

I think that would be an excellent place to start.  I'm sure that others have posted recievers, or CAN post recommendations on recievers in that price range...I assume you already have a cd player?

edit:  or you could look into these speakers for starters..i just noticed you said start on 2.1 setup...  http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=33764.0

that would leave you close to 400$ for a reciever..maybe one of the lower strX000es sonys used somehwere?  im not exactly sure of their prices...

[1st set only]

cambridge soundworks has great deals in their b stock and open box department

they have cclearance on line as well

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Antique, but really nice.  I have one, and it rocks...  Sony TA-E1000ESD

http://makeashorterlink.com/?B5231244A

Also, B&K amp.  I use the ST-140, a 2x70 job.  But this is nicer:  B&K ST-202+

http://makeashorterlink.com/?B5731344A

I have the 2 pieces above and paid $350 for them together.  You can find nice starter speakers at about $200/pari methinks...

Terry

PS, couldn't find either on AudioGon...

[Nick Culbreth]

What do you already have for your playback system?  If you're starting from scratch with a $500 budget I'd suggest that you look into buying a source, headphones and a headphone amp and then add speakers, preamp and later when you've got a little more to spend.  For around $300 - $350 you should be able to get a cheap source (Toshiba 3900 would be great), nice headphones (AKG, Sennheiser, Grado, etc) and a headphone amp.  IMHO you'll get way more bang for your buck this way.

[bagtagsell]

I got zip.  Is this the right order of buying.
1. cd player
2. reciever
3. speakers

I listen to a lot of my music on my computer.  I have a soundblaster audigy soundcard.  Would I need to replace that, and buy everything else?  Does anyone have any recomendations for that?

[leegeddy]

I got zip.  Is this the right order of buying.
1. cd player
2. reciever
3. speakers

I listen to a lot of my music on my computer.  I have a soundblaster audigy soundcard.  Would I need to replace that, and buy everything else?  Does anyone have any recomendations for that?

bags;

there are several cd/dvd/dvd-a/sacd combo players for under $200. that would be my first purchase.

marc

[Nick Culbreth]

I got zip.  Is this the right order of buying.
1. cd player
2. reciever
3. speakers

I listen to a lot of my music on my computer.  I have a soundblaster audigy soundcard.  Would I need to replace that, and buy everything else?  Does anyone have any recomendations for that?

Like Marc said my first step would be to purchase a source and move on from there.  Given your budget I'd look for a Toshiba 3900 which can be found for around $60, great sound for the price.  I'm sure others can recommend some speaker / reciever suggestions, also keep in mind you need to reserve part of your buget for cables which can make a pretty dramatic difference in sound.  Good luck with your search, if you think the taping upgrade but is addictive just wait until the hifi upgrade bug kicks in.   

[Tim]

toshiba 3960 is cd/dvd only and is $60 or so

the 4960 is cd/dvd/dvda/sacd and is a little more but still *very* reasonable...

[Nick Culbreth]

toshiba 3960 is cd/dvd only and is $60 or so

the 4960 is cd/dvd/dvda/sacd and is a little more but still *very* reasonable...

How does the transport compare?  If memory serves correct the 3900 was manufactured by Toshiba and the 4900 was an OEM with a very different transport and such.

[nickgregory]

I have the Samsung HD841 which is either an OEM of the 4960 or vice versa, but on audio circle...there is a long thread about the same type of mods that the 3960 has and that the unit is also a great unit for the price....I have no personal opinions yet, as I am waiting for my receiver to show back up so I can test it

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=12613&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Tim]

toshiba 3960 is cd/dvd only and is $60 or so

the 4960 is cd/dvd/dvda/sacd and is a little more but still *very* reasonable...

How does the transport compare? If memory serves correct the 3900 was manufactured by Toshiba and the 4900 was an OEM with a very different transport and such.

I haven't heard the 4960 at all... 3960 is a steal, sounds great... I can hardly listen to my dat's this thing sounds so good

[Nick Culbreth]

I have the Samsung HD841 which is either an OEM of the 4960 or vice versa, but on audio circle...there is a long thread about the same type of mods that the 3960 has and that the unit is also a great unit for the price....I have no personal opinions yet, as I am waiting for my receiver to show back up so I can test it

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=12613&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Great info Nick.  It seems like a great deal for around $100.

[Nick Culbreth]

toshiba 3960 is cd/dvd only and is $60 or so

the 4960 is cd/dvd/dvda/sacd and is a little more but still *very* reasonable...

How does the transport compare? If memory serves correct the 3900 was manufactured by Toshiba and the 4900 was an OEM with a very different transport and such.

I haven't heard the 4960 at all... 3960 is a steal, sounds great... I can hardly listen to my dat's this thing sounds so good

I agree, I had a 3960 for a little bit and was very impressed by the sound quality line out.  I eventually moved to a Pioneer DV-563a so I could have SACD and DVD-A support, but the 3960 was a great bargain.

[bagtagsell]

Thanks.  I think I'll pick up the 4960, its on newegg for $119.  Does anyone have any reciever/speakers recomendation.  I have gift cards to circuit city.  But I don't know if they would have anything decent.

[Nick Culbreth]

Thanks.  I think I'll pick up the 4960, its on newegg for $119.  Does anyone have any reciever/speakers recomendation.  I have gift cards to circuit city.  But I don't know if they would have anything decent.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homevdeo&1110665965

Audiogon is your friend.   

[Brian Skalinder]

Depending on your listening goals, consider a nice set of headphones and possibly a headphone amp.  I do much of my listening in my home office, a tiny room, with only me listening.  Given that situation, headphones are a great option.  If you want to entertain groups of people, of course they won't work.  Just wanted to say consider your playback needs before deciding on your gear.

FWIW, I run Waveterminal 2496 digi-out > smART D/IO DAC > AKG K501s