Help me help my Dad buy a new stereo system!!

YES!

So my Dad has entrusted me to buy my parents a new stereo! He'll ("they" really although to my mom a stereo is a stereo and she hears no difference....yet!) pretty much go for anything I recommend. They havent had a real system since 1977 or so. They are currently using a Sharp 3 cd mini-system hooked up to two Aiwa speakers and its just time to toss the whole heap.

He's given me a cap of about $600-700-800. I know thats not enough for an audiophile system but anything will be better than the $129 Sharp. I may be able to talk him into more $$ but let's see what we can get for the current range. He started talking about Bose and I said "wait wait! let me do research, dont make a move without me!"

So.....any suggestions?!

 

I think that the Steve Hoffman Forum members can build a system for that price. Are you opposed to second-hand componets?

 

Well I am not opposed but I know Pops wants new....just cus they havent had good new in a while. You know that feeling you get when you open a fresh box of stereo goodness!

And yes, I am quite confident that this crew of "Hoffies" can help me (him) out! Only thing I ask is for his sake, lets try and keep it low as possible. Pops' wallet opens like an old creaky door!

 

I understand, and new is absolutely the most fun way to go. In the meantime I will be on the hunt.

 

I like my Paradigm Atom speakers a whole lot. They cost around $200 a pair.

Here's a link to Paradigm dealers. Enter your zipcode, and you can find the one nearest you.
http://www.paradigm.com/Website/Dealers/Dealers.html

I found one in Jenkintown:
HIFI HOUSE
509 OLD YORK RD.
JENKINTOWN, PA
19046
215-885-4970

Another good brand in this price point is NAD, which, according to its website, is also sold at the HiFi House. http://nadelectronics.com/

You could check out some of NAD's BEE components. There's a CD player, an integrated amp, and a receiver. I think they're priced at around $300-400 each, so your total would be in the $800-1000 range.

Hope this helps.

 

Hmmm that does help thanks!

Are those NAD's good? I want to make sure he gets some quality that will last a good while.

What about those all -in -one systems? Where its a DVD player, CD, Surround Speakers Set-up, (sony, bose, pioneer, etc) Are those any good or just a joke?

 

Usually a joke

 

Every one of these " budget systems" I've seen is just that. An old '70s receiver has better sound for $50.00 to $75.00.

FWIW there are some very inexpensive multi-players that will give dear old Dad a lot more bang for the buck. I'm not aware of all the new varieties, but my Pioneer 563A (last years model) is a rock for around $150.00.

 

when you say multi-player do you mean CD/DVD/SACD or do you mean multiple disc?

I just him to get something that will really knock his socks off....he listens to Tom Petty, CCR, Zep, Taj Mahal, Steely Dan, etc.

Something with presence and depth. Something to power the downstairs, where they often have parties/BBQs. Something N I C E!

 

Yes, I do mean CD/DVD/SACD. For my particular unit SACD is excellent while CD could be better. But hey, when you're going to be living within a budget and insist on new, the pickin' will be much slimmer with your end result being a sacrafice one way or another and it's the sound that takes the hit.

Buying used does have it's benefits says the guy who put together a $20,000.00 system for $6,000.00 (Can. $). Now you just have to convince Dad.

 

Hahah! Nice man! Well I dont think Pops will be convinced but I'll try. In the meantime I'm looking at some nice Polk speakers.....

 

Ok, suddenly I'm feeling kind of old--yeah, I know this thread isn't about me, but your dad sounds fairly young based on what he's listening to. How old is he? Also, I grew up fairly close to HiFi House and it has been there forever, FWIW. I know this is a longshot, but does your dad still have his vinyl records? A vinyl setup might really complement his listening tastes.

 

Hes 57....be 58 at the end of May. He has a TON of vinyl...some of which I like to "borrow"

I dont know how keen hed be on a vinyl set-up although as I look into components Im keeping that in mind for the future. They JUST got into cds a few years back. In fact my mom still says "someone put a new tape on....." referring to a new CD.

Hilarious!

 

See the thing is....hes a simple man. What I mean is, he doesnt want anything too complicated. My mom we'll just leave out of the picture for right now cus to her, Buddy Jewel and Clay Aiken will sound just as good from any source.

What I was thinking was some Polk Speakers (perhaps the Audio Monitor 30), maybe an Onkyo receiver, and a Sony or Pioneer multi-disc CD player. Since they dont even know what SACD is, im wondering if I should even bother with making sure its compatible. It has to be a multi disc though as they entertain often and dont like to be bothered with changing cds all day long.

Thats really all theyd "need" right? Speakers/CD player/reciever?

 

Somehow, based upon the music he's listening to, I'm surprised he doesn't have a better working system. If he's set on all new, that's fine, but for $600-800, I keep thinking combination new/used. A nice 1970s-very early 1980s Marantz, Kenwood, or Pioneer receiver coupled with new speakers and a new compact disc, cd/sacd, or universal player and new speakers would sound pretty nice. He'd also have a decent built-in phonostage in case he decides to hook up a turntable. IMO, those 70s era receivers just sound better than many of the bargain receivers sold primarily for home theater today. He could easily stay within the budget this way.

 

Yep. Have you looked at crutchfield.com? They sell Polk, Onkyo and Sony. And yes, all you need is a CD player/receiver/speakers.

 

Yeah crutchfield is a great site!

I know a mix of used/new might be best but I know hes really jonesin' for some newness!


So how do Polks stand up? Esp when compared to Infinites....?

 

I own Polks right now, Monitor 70's in the front and monitor 40's in the rear. I actually own a complete Polk surround sound speaker system that I really like. The 40's are compact but they sure do sound good to my ears.

 

Yeah those Monitor 40s look amazing! I might be able to talk him into those....but for now Im looking at the 30s.

Ok, what I was thinking was :

Polk Monitor 30s (or 40s if i can persuade)

Sony SCD-CE595 (5 Disc CD/SACD Changer)

Then as far as receivers go, what is the real difference between a "stereo" reciever and a "home theater" reciever? Does the HT just provide the option to someday go 5.1 whereas the S will always only be 2 speaker stereo?

Is Sony anything a bad choice?

 

Yes.

Depends who you talk to. I have a Sony TV and a Sony CD player that I'm still in with and has put many adversaries in the dirt.

 

I just switched my rears to Polk R30's and they are awesome.

 

agreed!

thanks dave and dave64!

 

Recently, I helped an acquaintance pick out a system. He ended up with a Cambridge Audio Azur 540 CD player and EPOS ESL-3 speakers (both from AudioAdvisor) and an HK receiver. Cost was about 800-900. If you went to the Azur 340 you would probably be within your budget. No SACD or DVD-A, but the HK has a phono input.

 

Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 in maple.....$99.71/pair (new from Audio Advisor)

Cambridge Audio Azur 340A stereo integrated amp (from Audio Advisor).....$249.99 or

Harman Kardon HK3380 stereo receiver (from J&R.com)....$230.00 shipped

Sony DVP-NS775V SACD/DVD/CD player (available online).....$100.00

Totaling under $500.00, probably including some Radio Shack 12 guage MegaCable speaker cable (at $0.99/per foot).

 

You may want to recalculate your total. It's actually $679.70, but still in his budget.