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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: bgalizio on July 01, 2008, 08:46:27 AM

Title: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: bgalizio on July 01, 2008, 08:46:27 AM
My wife and I are looking to make a super cheap second listening system for our house. This would be for very casual listening only, and may make its way into a children's room eventually. We're thinking of designing it around the Sonic T-Amp. Any recommendations for cheap speakers that will sound good with this amp? We're not looking to rattle the walls, or rival our main system, by any means. By cheap, I'm thinking $150 max for the pair.

If there are any other recommendations for super cheap amps, let me know as well.
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: bgalizio on July 01, 2008, 09:13:48 AM
the wife and I bought one of these a couple of years ago now(?)
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,75490.0.html

its been working great since then, and sounds quite nice, really.
It was $179 at costco

Looks nice! I didn't think there were any good sounding mini systems like that for cheap. I'll definitely be keeping that one in mind.
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: BC on July 01, 2008, 01:28:47 PM
My wife and I are looking to make a super cheap second listening system for our house. This would be for very casual listening only, and may make its way into a children's room eventually. We're thinking of designing it around the Sonic T-Amp. Any recommendations for cheap speakers that will sound good with this amp? We're not looking to rattle the walls, or rival our main system, by any means. By cheap, I'm thinking $150 max for the pair.

If there are any other recommendations for super cheap amps, let me know as well.

maybe you can find some good (used?) deals on the infinity primus series? I'm thinking something along the lines of :

http://stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/404infinity/

http://stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1007inf/

Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: jlykos on July 02, 2008, 07:26:26 AM
I purchased a pair of the Creative GigaWorks T20 speakers last year and I love them.  I pair them with my Creative Zen mp3 player and the combination sounds really great, given the cost.  I think that I paid around 80 Euro for the speakers when I bought them in Paris, but I am sure that you can find them for cheaper in the U.S.  Anyway, best 80 Euro I ever spent, as they are also portable and I can pack them in my luggage whenever I move somewhere.  Creative also makes the GigaWorks T40 that have a better bass response, but they were a bit big to pack in my luggage so I passed on them.
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 03, 2008, 10:45:14 PM
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-958

add source and efficient bookshelves...., viola
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: bgalizio on July 05, 2008, 10:40:20 AM
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-958

add source and efficient bookshelves...., viola

That's the (potential) idea. Any other recommendations for cheap, efficient bookshelf speakers?
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: bgalizio on September 17, 2008, 07:36:22 AM
I got this system semi-finished last night. It is as follows:

Squeezebox 3 (also used in the main system) > Sonic Impact 5065 2nd Gen T-Amp > Monitor Audio Bronze 1

The MA speakers I got used for Todd R. They're excellent for this system. The T-Amp is very impressive at first listen, and supposedly opens up more as it breaks in.

I'm using homemade Canare 4S6 speaker cables (I use 4S8 in the main system, and I like their sound). Also using a Kind Kables RCA > stereo mini cable from the SB3 > T-Amp.

I'm still looking for a small format CD player. I found a cheap-o Phillips at Target for $35 that might fit the bill.
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 17, 2008, 02:00:21 PM
awesome.
I need to do the same.  ive wanted a T amp to play with for a while.  was thinking of building my own monitors around its specs.

+T for the effort !
Title: Re: Super cheap second system recommendations
Post by: bgalizio on September 17, 2008, 02:59:11 PM
awesome.
I need to do the same.  ive wanted a T amp to play with for a while.  was thinking of building my own monitors around its specs.

+T for the effort !

I bought my T-amp from Parts Express, but buy.com has it now for $53 & free shipping. Might be worth picking up before it's out of stock for 6 months again.