Lookin for a home stereo system

DewieCox

I am wantin to get a receiver/amp and a couple speakers to play various formats of music, records, cds, mp3s.

I'd also like somethin that could add a little mmph to movies.

I don't necessarily want surround sound, as I have a small living room.

I want somethin that is decently priced. I'm lookin for bang for the buck. I will spend a little extra if it's a huge step in quality.

I want somethin that can fill up my room and maybe leak over into the neighboring rooms enough for listening.

If I could get somethin that I would never need to upgrade, that would be great.

I'm willing to go used.

I would say my super max limit for now is $500.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm just not sure where to start.

mookeywrench

if you're using it mainly for music and don't care about surround sound, all you need is a two channel receiver, which come along inexpensively. Then you can spend some money on higher quality speakers.

The good news about audio is that you get what you pay for. So when speakers are priced high, its because you're getting high quality. The only brand that is known for making money off of solely its brand name is bose.

If you want some nice speakers go to a Magnolia Audio and do some window shopping, then you can get a good survey of quality speakers and find out what you like/ don't like.

The bad news about audio is that you get what you pay for. So quality will always equal $$$.

DewieCox

bump

CJMST3K

What do you already have?

You'll probably want a component system. The last receiver I bought which I've had about 9 years is a decent Sony with optical inputs, and the receiver itself decodes DTS and Dolby Digital. I think I bought it at a Best Buy as a floor model for like $250. Without speakers or anything, just the receiver.

Do you already have speakers, dvd player (with or without optical audio out?), etc?

DewieCox

I have a bluray player and it has the optical output, along with a Sanyo turntable from the late 70s. Does it need replaced?

Also, I should be able to find a receiver with a simple 1/8" input, for my ipod, right?

I have no speakers.

My room is 17'x12', so what kinda wattage will I need?

CJMST3K

DewieCox wrote:

I have a bluray player and it has the optical output, along with a Sanyo turntable from the late 70s. Does it need replaced?

Also, I should be able to find a receiver with a simple 1/8" input, for my ipod, right?

I have no speakers.

My room is 17'x12', so what kinda wattage will I need?

Ok you need is a decent receiver. I'm not at home, but I'll see which one mine is. It's an old one, but I've seen it in other peoples home who like good equipment, so I assume I made a good choice. It also allows you to up the center channel for better dialog, though I imagine most features like that are standard nowadays. If you're planning on watching a lot of movies you'll probably want to get satellite speakers and a subwoofer... hmm, this may start getting expensive... but I think all you're really gonna need is $500 as is your budget.

Also for your record player, you will only need a Red/White (RCA Cable?) output, which I think is relatively standard for them... plus a "phono preamp" unless your receiver has a "phono input" which should boost the signal... otherwise vinyl levels are too low to enjoy even at full volume. I learned about phono inputs when the refurbished record player I got was super low in volume I couldn't hear it.

Anyone have other advice for Dewie? I haven't kept up with the wattage... I know mine is great for a bigger room than yours. I'll see if I can find out what I've got...

Foxy Mop

DewieCox wrote:

I am wantin to get a receiver/amp and a couple speakers to play various formats of music, records, cds, mp3s.

I'd also like somethin that could add a little mmph to movies.

I don't necessarily want surround sound, as I have a small living room.

I want somethin that is decently priced. I'm lookin for bang for the buck. I will spend a little extra if it's a huge step in quality.

I want somethin that can fill up my room and maybe leak over into the neighboring rooms enough for listening.

If I could get somethin that I would never need to upgrade, that would be great.

I'm willing to go used.

I would say my super max limit for now is $500.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm just not sure where to start.

Where are you located? My mom has a killer system (though older) w/a turntable she's wanting to get rid of for cheap in the Long Island, NY area