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

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by ZappaSG, May 9, 2005.

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  1. soundboy

    soundboy Senior Member

    He only needs either the HK stereo receiver or the Cambridge Audio integrated amp, not both.

    Although as a government analyst, my math skills should always be suspected. :D
     
  2. stereoptic

    stereoptic Anaglyphic GORT Staff

    Location:
    NY
    unfortunately, the "goodguys.com" price is back up to $130 on that player!
     
  3. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    I know mine definitely will be. :D
     
  4. soundboy

    soundboy Senior Member

    However, J&R has the Sony at $120.00 shipping included. But J&R is out of stock. :( Given that the original poster is in Philadelphia and the Good Guys chain is on the west coast, my mentioning of the Sony was just a suggestion that a good-performing SACD/DVD/CD player can be had for around $100.00.

    I suppose I should mention that the Samsung HD-841 universal player is being cleared out by Best Buy for about $100.00. Its clone, the Toshiba SD4960, is available for even less. Pioneer has its new DV-588A universal player for a little more.
     
  5. vinyl anachronist

    vinyl anachronist Senior Member

    Location:
    Lakeside, Oregon
    I did this for my parents a few years ago, and I'm still surprised with the results. For $600 I was able to get them a Rotel integrated (bought at full retail for $300), the first Music Hall CD player (I got a demo for half-price...$175), and a pair of Radio Shack Optimus LX-4 speakers, which were $100 EACH, but the poor girl at the register accidentally charged $100 for the PAIR.

    For those who remember this speaker, it's the one with the Linaeum tweeter that actually received a rave review from the erstwhile audio mag Fi. When I visit them, I'm still impressed with the sound.

    That said, none of these components are available today, so you'd have to start from scratch. If I had to do it all over again, I'd definitely think used. I'd probably go on ebay and look for a nice Marantz or Luxman receiver, get a serviceable new CD player from a decent brand such as Magnavox or Marantz, and then find out how much I had left and buy whatever PSB or Paradigm speaker I could afford.
     
  6. soundboy

    soundboy Senior Member

    Ooooh, is this the one with the Kevlar woofer?
     
  7. vinyl anachronist

    vinyl anachronist Senior Member

    Location:
    Lakeside, Oregon
    Yup. They're the greatest $100 speakers I've heard...
     
  8. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Ive heard great thigns about "Sony DVP-NS775V SACD/DVD/CD player" but i know theyre looking for a multidisc....since they entertain so much. Perhaps the sony CE-595 is the way to go.

    Does anyone know how Polks compare to Infinities? And how about those Wharfdales....I never heard of them!



    OH, and thank you all for your help! I cant wait to finally post what they got! Maybe some pics too! :thumbsup:
     
  9. Dave D

    Dave D Done!

    Location:
    Milton, Canada
    I had Wharf's....Diamond 7.1 I think for rears. The Polks crush them.
     
  10. vinyl anachronist

    vinyl anachronist Senior Member

    Location:
    Lakeside, Oregon
    Wharfedale is one of the great old British brands. They've always concentrated on the low end of the market, though, especially with their various Diamond models. I've never been impressed with the Wharfedale sound, however.
     
  11. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    thanks for the info Vinyl!

    I cant wait to hook it all up for them and watch their eyes explode! haha!
     
  12. IanL

    IanL Senior Member

    Location:
    Oneonta, NY USA
    Also, I've never heard an Infinity speaker I thought was any good. I would avoid these and concentrate on the Polks or Wharfdales (or PSBs if you can find them in the US).
     
  13. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Cool! I was leaning towards the Polks....now I just need to find someplace that has them so we can go listen. I wouldnt mind buying blind via internet but he mentioned wanting to go out testing. Yep, a few beers and a few listens! :D
     
  14. therockman

    therockman Senior Member In Memoriam



    I bought my Polk system at Circuit City.
     
  15. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Yeah I just saw they have them! looks like we'll be shopping soon.....Im hoping I could talk him into the Monitor 40s but if that was too much $$ would the 30s be sufficient enough as main speakers? Theyre coming from 2 bookshelf Aiwa 40Ws.....so id assume anything will blow them away!
     
  16. AKA-Chuck G

    AKA-Chuck G Senior Member

    Location:
    Washington NC
    I'd go for the NHT SB3 bookshelf speakers (can find NEW on ebay for about $350). Then add the Cambridge Audio Azur 540A integrated ($349 from audioadvisor). Don't skimp on the speakers. The SB3's go for $600 pair retail and have good bass. Add a decent source and off you go.
     
  17. therockman

    therockman Senior Member In Memoriam



    There really is a HUGE difference between the 30's and the 40's. The 30's only have 1 5 1/4" mid-range driver, and the 40's have 2 5 1/4" drivers. The difference in the cabinet and the amount radiation surface area equals a huge difference in sound quality.
     
  18. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    radiation surface area? :confused:
     
  19. stereoptic

    stereoptic Anaglyphic GORT Staff

    Location:
    NY
    audiovideo101.com

    rockman is very knowledgeable about the difference between the two models (monitor 30s and monitor 40s) as he has lived with them through all kinds of comparisons, but your parents' only point of reference is the plastic Aiwas. You could always take your father to circuit city to listen to both speakers.
     
  20. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    cool info thanks!

    yeah ill have to take him and listen....for my own experience too!

    the aiwas they actually inherited from me and were once part of my college aiwa shelf stereo (good for dorms u know?)

    BUT believe it or not the aiwas were a million steps up from what they were using....a pair of very plastic sharps. the aiwas are actually mdf and very solid and heavy, the sharps weigh no more than...well something light. they sucked!

    So i was very happy at the time to donate the aiwas as it improved their situation dramatically! :agree:
     
  21. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Last nite my wife said to not even let my parents know about the lesser Polks and just say "Youre getting these Monitor 40s" Good advice! :thumbsup:
     
  22. ZappaSG

    ZappaSG New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Hye what about the Polk R30 Floorstanding speakers? How would those fair? Are there advantages/disadvantages to floorstanding models?

    We're getting closer to pushing pops into opening the ole wallet.....i told him all about my findings and research and hes quite pleased to have someone to do all this crazy research(which i love!). I was telling him about the Polks and he asked "Well, are they better than Bose?" :sigh:
     
  23. grbl

    grbl Just Lurking

    Location:
    Long Island
    Personally I would stay away from Polks. Their stuff falls into the generic mass market category. Any speakers sold at Circuit City or Best Buy I would stay away from. I would instead go with a pair of B&W bookshelf speakers (either the DM303 at $300 per pair, or preferrably the DM601 at $450 per pair). Those will blow away anything by Polk. For electronics, I would go with NAD. They give you the best bang for the buck at this price point IMO - incredible quality for very little $$$.
     
  24. Jay

    Jay New Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh PA
    Having owned B&Ws, I wouldn't let you give me another pair. [Alright, I would. But I'd put them on eBay as soon as your car was out of the driveway.]

    I had Polks once, too, and they were okay. They didn't offend, or make their life's work to show you how horrible your CDs sound.

    I agree with grbl on NAD, though. And if you go somewhere NAD is sold, you should be able to listen to speakers by PSB, as they have the same distributor. I know there are places in Philadelphia where they're sold.
     
  25. grbl

    grbl Just Lurking

    Location:
    Long Island
    So we obviously differ in what we look for in speakers. I'm looking for speakers that provide as accurate and uncolored a representation of the music as possible.

    Whether you like B&Ws or not, however, there are clearly lots of speaker brands out there(PSB is one) that will give you much better value than Polk. I would take a good look at Paradigm and PSB.
     
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