Home Audio - What is the "minimally" best I can get for the least amount of money?

[KEW]

I was looking at receivers and not seeing anything that leaped out at me.
What do you think, Seth?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/search/nwc/ele?sort=priceasc&query=receiver stereo

(Seth has been dealing in used gear for years!)

 

[Seth=L]

I was looking at receivers and not seeing anything that leaped out at me.
What do you think, Seth?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/search/nwc/ele?sort=priceasc&query=receiver stereo

(Seth has been dealing in used gear for years!)

I see a couple that aren't bad, saw a Sony for $50 and a Yamaha for $60 that looked decent. I'd probably try to stick with a certain level of quality, and 90's stuff from most Japanese manufacturers was at least competent.

 

[markw]

When buying used receivers, make dang sure you get a working remote. Replacements can be costly, if they ar eavailable at all, and universal remotes might not do everything

A manual is nice but you can PROBABLY score one on the internet.

 

[Kovacs]

Are these good at $20? I've heard of JBL, but I don't know where they're at on the totem pole.

And, I don't mind the broken corner.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/5281999606.html

 

[markw]

they are worth $20. They won't shake the rafters but with your budget, don't expect top of the line.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

this pioneer 2.0 with receiver set seems nice.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/5283918957.html
Also, while probably above your budget - is excellent 5.1 with seems to be decent yamaha avr
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/5231104338.html
Athena was high quality/low price brand, before acquired by Klipsch was pretty good, and probably still is.

 

[markw]

That Yamaha/Athena combo is unbeatable. Find the extra $$.

 

[Kovacs]

That Yamaha/Athena combo is unbeatable. Find the extra $$.

Unfortunately, Rockford will be about a minimum of a 2 hour round trip for me. Not sure I'd be able to make that trip.

For the 5.1 surround sound setup, is this diagram what I should be considering for the speaker positioning? And, I'm assuming that equidistant positioning is "required" or else some sounds may appear louder than others among other distortions. Is that correct?

 

[Kovacs]

Are these good speakers for $80 OBO? It's missing the front covers though...

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ele/5254000566.html
_____________________________________________________________________

Vintage for $20. Can I hook it up just fine into my TV as-is or with an easily available and cheap adapter(s)?

I remember speaking with someone back when I was in college and he was an audiophile and he was serious about non-digital audio systems. I didn't know much back then and didn't have the money to even consider a system like the one he had (it was amazing - all set up directly in front of the viewer and no speakers behind, while he had some padding around for sound dampening). Anyway, that's why I'd thought about asking about these vintage ones:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/5261933608.html

 

[markw]

Are these good speakers for $80 OBO? It's missing the front covers though...

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ele/5254000566.html
_____________________________________________________________________

Vintage for $20. Can I hook it up just fine into my TV as-is or with an easily available and cheap adapter(s)?

Have you been reading the responses to your questions? YOU NEED AN AMPLIFIER TO DRIVE SPEAKERS!!!

I remember speaking with someone back when I was in college and he was an audiophile and he was serious about non-digital audio systems. I didn't know much back then and didn't have the money to even consider a system like the one he had (it was amazing - all set up directly in front of the viewer and no speakers behind, while he had some padding around for sound dampening). Anyway, that's why I'd thought about asking about these vintage ones:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/5261933608.html

Those speakers are shot. The picture shows it and the seller was honest enough to warn potential buyers. They need surrounds and I doubt you can replace them yourself and having someone do it for you will cost more than they are worth.

 

[Kovacs]

Have you been reading the responses to your questions? YOU NEED AN AMPLIFIER TO DRIVE SPEAKERS!!!

Those speakers are shot. The picture shows it and the seller was honest enough to warn potential buyers. They need surrounds and I doubt you can replace them yourself and having someone do it for you will cost more than they are worth.

It looks like I'll need to read up on these different parts once more. Thanks for the input.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It seems like I wasting my breath and effort looking on CL on behalf of OP.
If you can't get Athena set (too far/expensive) - what's your excuse re: 2.0 Pioneer set - you haven't took class on reading comprehension just yet?
It's much better than shot technics you found

 

[Kovacs]

It seems like I wasting my breath and effort looking on CL on behalf of OP.
If you can't get Athena set (too far/expensive) - what's your excuse re: 2.0 Pioneer set - you haven't took class on reading comprehension just yet?
It's much better than shot technics you found

Thanks that one and price looks great - I've contacted the seller and am awaiting his response. Looking into others if that falls through.

And, I will need to make room for it given the small sized room I am confined to. I think if I put it on top of various bookshelves and/or make a stand it would work. I'll have to fiddle around with the room setup and look into positioning a bit more.

Would a 5.1 setup like this for that 2.0 Pioneer set make sense for a small room, or will there be distortions since it's a relatively small room (approximately 12' x 15')? Is this conventional wisdom or is it a marketing diagram to sell more - I ask because my other hobbies tend to have "inside information" on what to accept and not to accept. However, assumed logic tells me that I would get surround sound based on physics. And, if it's a "manageable" amount of distortion arising from the smallish room size, I will still get it as that looks like a boss of a setup! Thanks again.

 

[KEW]

Unfortunately, Rockford will be about a minimum of a 2 hour round trip for me. Not sure I'd be able to make that trip.

For the 5.1 surround sound setup, is this diagram what I should be considering for the speaker positioning? And, I'm assuming that equidistant positioning is "required" or else some sounds may appear louder than others among other distortions. Is that correct?

Yes, this is ideal positioning. Rarely is it possible to get things exactly so, however. If you are getting stereo speakers, you should try to position as shown for left and right front speakers.

Was the pioneer stereo system too far to travel?

You are severely restricting your options by limited range and consider that shipping on eBay will not be cheap for amp and speakers.

We're trying to help you squeeze blood out of a turnip, but there's only so much you can reasonably expect.

 

[Kovacs]

Yes, this is ideal positioning. Rarely is it possible to get things exactly so, however. If you are getting stereo speakers, you should try to position as shown for left and right front speakers.

Was the pioneer stereo system too far to travel?

You are severely restricting your options by limited range and consider that shipping on eBay will not be cheap for amp and speakers.

We're trying to help you squeeze blood out of a turnip, but there's only so much you can reasonably expect.

The Pioneer one isn't too far at all. It'll be about 1 hour round trip.

The Athena one I'd have to drive up close to the WI state border.

 

[markw]

The Athena one I'd have to drive up close to the WI state border.

It's well worth it. I've got those speakers and for that price, plus a receiver, it's a steal.

But, odds are it's gone by now. Someone who realized what a steal it was would have jumped on it immediately.

Now, I'm outta here. Good luck

 

[Muzykant]

The Pioneer one isn't too far at all. It'll be about 1 hour round trip.

The Athena one I'd have to drive up close to the WI state border.

Kovacs, I've taken longer drives just for pure enjoyment with nowhere to go in particular. My only concern would be not to get a speeding ticket on the way back in the rush to get them hooked up.

 

[Kovacs]

Ok, I'll stretch my dollars a lot and buy the Athena system. It looks like the CL listing has been up for 1 month without anyone buying it so hopefully it's still there.

Any idea on how much these will be worth, say, 2 years from now assuming it's in the same working condition? Will it at least match its current sale price? The original owner bought it in 2010 so it's 5 years old now.

Thanks everyone for nudging me enough to get it. Please understand that I'm new to all of this so asking me to drop that much money and driving there for something I'm a novice at made me a bit hesitant. Before I built my first computer, I wouldn't even consider purchasing a graphics card worth a minimum $300+ dollars. Anyway, I think it's similar to audio systems, and we were all here once before however long ago, so I hope you all understand. Thanks again.

 

[KEW]

They will not depreciate. You are getting a great deal on used gear. Should you decide to sell them, they will be used gear.
However, our objective is for you to get something you won't want to sell in two years!

As for your room, can you move a chair out into the middle of the room whenever you are doing critical listening and really wanting to enjoy the sound?

 

[Kovacs]

They will not depreciate. You are getting a great deal on used gear. Should you decide to sell them, they will be used gear.
However, our objective is for you to get something you won't want to sell in two years!

As for your room, can you move a chair out into the middle of the room whenever you are doing critical listening and really wanting to enjoy the sound?

That's great to hear on its value. I was primarily concerned that if I had to move 2 years down the line, or if my finances took an unanticipated/emergency turn south, I'd have to give up holding onto some things. Anyway, I've contacted the seller and I'll await the seller's response.

I can try moving the chair out to the back and middle, if that's also an optimal location (?) - as opposed to the center of the room.

And, is there anything I should ask and look out for when asking the seller? I'm obviously going to ask to test out the system, but are there any particular tests that come to mind?