How much is your main home audio system worth?

Audioholics · Apr 30, 2003

We at Audioholics would like to take brief poll to see where the viewers of this website are in terms of their home audio investments.

For this poll, include all electronics gear which exists in your PRIMARY listening area. Include TVs/monitors, VCRs, receivers, speakers, power conditioning, interconnects and the like... Use the purchase price for all gear (unless you have a REALLY old, overpriced piece of equipment [think LCD projector], then estimate fair replacement value.)

From time to time we may present these polls in order to get a better idea of our demographic and enable us to present more relevant information to you in an effort to improve our website.

Thanks for participating!

[Edit: clarified instructions]

Yamahaluver · Apr 30, 2003

Let me be the first:

SONY KIRRARA BASSO 53" Rear Projection TV for $4800
Yamaha DSP-AZ1 for $2200
Yamaha NS-300 speaker for front main $750
Yamaha NS-C300 for center $300
Yamaha NS-100 pair for $350 NS-C 100 for $90
Yamaha YST-SW800 pair for $1600 plus Yamaha YST-SW320 for rear for $500
Yamaha MX-1 amp for $1200 and MX-1000U amp for $1200.
Yamaha NS-1000x speakers for $2500.
Accuphase DP70 CD player for $6500
Canton Ergo 120 speakers for $3800
Technics SL-DD33 Turntable for $120
Monster cables and interconects for a total of $250
Three constant voltage transformers for apprx. $500
Tripp Lite and APC surge protection for $300 apprx.

Account in balance in the bank.................$0.000

Guest · Apr 30, 2003

Pioneer Elite 520HD: 3,000
Sony-777ES: 1,500.00
Monster Power HTS 5000: 400.00
MIT 2, & 5: ~400.00
Defintive Tech 2006TL: 1,200
Defintive Tech CLR 2300: 600.00
Defintive Tech BP-8: 800.00
Sunfire Mark IV: 1,300
Sony-7700s: 1,500
Samsung DTV HDTV Tuner:600.00
Terk Dish: 100.00
Terk-55:100.00
Cobalt Cable RGB for HDTV: ~89.00
Cobalt Cable: Componet Video Cable: ~89.00/each(2)
XBOX: 200.00
XBOX Games: 300.00

I am now considering adding a Sherbourn 5 Channel Amp.

Audioholics · May 1, 2003

Hehe, I forgot about adding video game consoles to the picture - a valid HT expenditure as far as I'm concerned.

Yamahaluver - I was wondering about your system. Nice. Do you have all those speakers in your main room? I lost count after 12...

mustang_steve · May 1, 2003

Well here it goes for my system, its a bargain end system, but sounds quite nice.

Yamaha RX-v430 reciever
Yamaha CDC-585 5-disc CD changer
Dayton audio interlink (rca type)
monster xp/hp speaker wire
parts express/dayton audio BR-1 speakers
set of cheap speaker stands - 30" tall
Some kind of terk antenna for am/fm tuning

If you can solder well, and don't mind a 2-3 hour assembly time, these speakers cannot be beat on bang for the buck. I'd say they would be about on par with a set of Klipsch SB-3s just not as bright and with a bit better bass response. There is also a bit more warmth than the Klipsch, which to me is a good thing.

No tv vcr or anything, I havent watched TV at my place in years.  But I do rent a bedrrom form an apartment so I have to fit so much stuff in a tiny space.  Plus I'd rather be playing computer games

On an unrelated note, my computer system is:

Teac  LS-MC90 speakers
monster xp/hp speaker cables.
pioneer sx-205 reciever  (it was from my college days, was collecting dust so i decided to use it)
monster standard rca interconects (the purple ones, was left over form a car install)
rat shack 1/8" to rca adapter plug.  They are about hte only place i know of to fine one too.
c-media  sound card.  Came as an onboard feature of ym motherboard, amazingly its about equal to a soundblaster live.

--edited due to forgetting things--

Audioholics · May 1, 2003

Haha cool. My PC has a Yamaha RX-385 receiver, a pair of B&W 601s, and a Velodyne SPL-800 subwoofer (BOOM!) [plus an old Yamaha CDX-470 and a cassete deck...]

Unreal Tournament never sounded so good!

Yamahaluver · May 1, 2003

hawke : Hehe, I forgot about adding video game consoles to the picture - a valid HT expenditure as far as I'm concerned.

Yamahaluver - I was wondering about your system. Nice. Do you have all those speakers in your main room? I lost count after 12...

Thanks for the compliment hawke. I built a recatangular room ( 22 feet by 14 feet ) and the HT system sits on one side and the NS1000x sits on the other side attached to the MX-1000U and Accuphase CDP. No pre-amp is used for this as the Accuphase CDP has very accurate and matched volume control.

Audioholics · May 1, 2003

Our rooms are almost the same dimension... Mine's 20x14. I only have the one system, however!

Yamahaluver · May 1, 2003

hawke : Our rooms are almost the same dimension... Mine's 20x14. I only have the one system, however!

I have little choice in this case as I have hogged enough real estate for my systems. The Accuphase CDP and NS-1000x are used occasionaly for real high end critical listening. The on board D/A on the AZ-1 does a very good job most of the times.

The NS-1000x have a small footprint in between a tower and a bookshelf so it doesnt occupy that much space.

20x14 hmm........looks like like minds think alike. I know you like Yamaha too.

mustang_steve · May 1, 2003

well, my computer system was about 90% recycled parts.

I used to have a set of cambridge soundworks on the thing until something went bad in the amp stage and fried, then went to a set of TDK tremors...was not until i got my main system (the refurbed teac shelf unit ate one of my beastie boys albums...3 disc try loaders are NOT a good thing).

Once i listened to the new system, i noticed how bad the TDKs really sounded, and decided to try to build something decent, but I was done broke from buying hte main system, so off to the leftovers from systems past.  Only thing i bought for it new was the monster cable.  Not too bad for a pc system, given the reciever is really messing up the sound.  Next upgrade will probably be an older yamaha or sansui integrated amp for it.

Guest · May 1, 2003

Guest : Pioneer Elite 520HD: 3,000
Sony-777ES: 1,500.00
Monster Power HTS 5000: 400.00
MIT 2, & 5: ~400.00
Defintive Tech 2006TL: 2@1,200
Defintive Tech CLR 2300: 1@500.00
Defintive Tech BP-8: 2@800.00
Sunfire Mark IV Subwoofer: 1,300
Sony-7700S: 1,500
Samsung SIR-TS160 DTV HDTV Tuner:600.00
Terk Dish: 100.00
Terk-55:100.00
Cobalt Cable RGB for HDTV: ~89.00
Cobalt Cable: Componet Video Cable: ~89.00/each(2)
XBOX: 200.00
XBOX Games: 300.00

I am now considering adding a Sherbourn 5 Channel Amp.

In the event someone was asking I only have 5 speakers and one Sub in my main listening room.  The XBOX game HALO is the best game I evr played on my system.  It has true Dolby Digital sound and the direction of the sound effects correpsond to what you see on the screen.  It is the utlimate experience in console gaming.

Yamahaluver · May 1, 2003

mustang_steve : Next upgrade will probably be an older yamaha or sansui integrated amp for it.

Hi,

If you are looking for a good Yamaha integerated amp then I suggest you look into the AX series amps like the 592-596-896 etc. These have class A amplification and sound very good. You can get good deals on them used or new on the net. The AX-496 is a good deal too if true 85wpc is enough power for you. You can get a new one for less than $300.

Bprest0n · May 2, 2003

Yamahaluver;

I doubt they are class A up to 85watts, else the would consume over (150x2)/.75= 400 watts power to deliver this based on a 25% max efficiency of amps and 75% of the power supply.  Maybe they are Class A for a few watts and then switch to Class AB.

Yamahaluver · May 2, 2003

Bprest0n : Yamahaluver;

I doubt they are class A up to 85watts, else the would consume over (150x2)/.75= 400 watts power to deliver this based on a 25% max efficiency of amps and 75% of the power supply.  Maybe they are Class A for a few watts and then switch to Class AB.

The Yamaha MX- series amps have been tested by various magazines as well as myself and they are class A all the way with their HCA design. I have the copy of the plottings of the power graphs.

Only their high end receivers and amps like the DSP-AZ1 are class A and therefore can't break the 140W max barrier like others. The DSP-AZ1 for instance has a 260VA transformer and the MX-1 has two 750VA transfomers.

http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gSEP00010MX-1

This link explains Yamaha's classification of class A operation.

Eric · May 3, 2003

Here’s my JUST finished system:

Denon AVR-3803 $1300
Denon CDR-W1500: $600
Denon DCM-380: $300
Paradigm Legend V3 (mains): $749
Paradigm CC-270 V3 (center): $279
Paradigm PDR-10 (sub): $349
Klipsch SS (surrounds): $450
Panasonic RSPTV ~$2000
Mits DD-8020 (DVD) $300
Mits HS-U760 (SVHS deck) ~$500
Monster EMI/RFI power strip ~$100
Monster interconnects: ~$300.00
Bottle of snake oil to rub on my speaker cables: FREE!

Guest · May 4, 2003

My system is vintage, purchased off ebay.  I have KLH model 5 speakers (very good music makers).  $550cdn
I have pioneer sx 980 reciever (very big supply with large 1800uf ELNA caps).  Cambridge audio cd4 $500cdn.
Transparent music wave interconnect $240cdn.  
audioquest type 4 (and cb-4 but I don't use it) $200cdn.
I am also building electrostats- final 0.3 replica and a solid state amp from scratch. I am familar with lots of high end modern equipment, I have studied intently and found that a superior system can be obtained for substantialy less by buying vintage (at least in the mid fi levels).

peeps1980 · May 5, 2003

Sorry its in £ but here goes:

b&w DM602.5 S3 @ £500
b&w DM601 S3 @ £400
b&w LCR60 S3 @ £200
Yamaha YST SW80 @ £150
Sony STRDB940 @ £500
Toshiba SD100-E @ £175
Atacama Stands @ £70
QED Silver Anniversary Cable @ 30feet x £5
QED Coax @ £25
PS2 @ £200 (Neccessary Piece of kit)
Sofa from Ikea @ £100 (Need this)

I think thats every thing. TV not included cos I'm getting a new one cos the one I've got is crap. I'm looking at getting a 36" Philips Flat screen with Natural Motion Technology - Very nice set.

All prices at time of purchase.

Guest · May 5, 2003

ACK! Never really added it all up.  This is a sickness

Toshiba 50H81 - 1999.99
Toshiba DST-3000 - 599.99
Denon DVD-2900 - 999.99
Denon AVR-2802 - 599.99
Atlantic Technology 350THX Subwoofer  - 900.00
Atlantic Technology 350THX Surrounds - 449.00
Atlantic Technology 270THX Front - 699.00
Atlantic Technology 270THX Center - 549.00
Audioquest Sidewinders - 3pr - 120.00
Monster Video 3 Component (2m) - 3pr - 270.00
Monster Cable Subwoofer Interlink - 40.00
Monster Cable Digital Interconnect (coaxial) - 2pr - 80.00
Monster Speaker Cable - ~150.00
Monster Powercenter HTS 2500 - 299.99
XBOX - 299.99
DirectTV Oval Dish - 150.00
Radio Shack Antenna - 75.00

Bprest0n · May 5, 2003

Yamahaluver;

I mean no disrespect, but the RX-Z1/AZ1 is not Class A at full power.  Take a look at the pushpull complementary design and you will see this.  In order for it to be Class A at full power, would require a power transformer > 2KVA, which no Receiver, and only a few dedicated power amps have.  You would never be able to cool the amp given the internal heatsink area.  You may wish to verify your assumptions with Yamaha at (800) 292-2982.  Ask for Chuck, he is very knowledgeable about their products.

Yamahaluver · May 5, 2003

Bprest0n : Yamahaluver;

I mean no disrespect, but the RX-Z1/AZ1 is not Class A at full power.  Take a look at the pushpull complementary design and you will see this.  In order for it to be Class A at full power, would require a power transformer > 2KVA, which no Receiver, and only a few dedicated power amps have.  You would never be able to cool the amp given the internal heatsink area.  You may wish to verify your assumptions with Yamaha at (800) 292-2982.  Ask for Chuck, he is very knowledgeable about their products.

No problems, according to John Lim, who is a Yamaha tech in Singapore, the high end RX-Z1, AZ-1 and AX-1092 follow the same HCA design used in Yamaha's flagship MX series amps like MX-1, MX-2000, MX-10000 etc. and these are class A amps. If you read the link I have posted you will understand it better.

Yamaha's propieratary class A HCA design was a subject of comprehensive study in Wireless World magazine in the eighites. As I mentioned before, I have put both the MX-1 and MX-1000U in the test bench and their graph plots out to pure class A. Since you mention the AZ-1 I will take it to the lab next month and check out the power curve to clear any doubts. The MX amps are class A as per my tests and Yamaha brochure. There is no doubting that but for AZ-1 and RXZ-1 I certainly would have to check to clear any doubts.

Class A in Yamaha's design is not acheived at the cost of heat although the MX- amps use massive twin 750VA power transformers and massive amounts of capacitance. The idiling current unlike conventional class A operation is kept low thereby not generating heat. I also have a class A Krell KS-150A for comparison and can tell you that not only the Yamaha runs cooler but outperforms the Krell in every sense.

Since you mentioned receivers, Yamaha RX-950 was also class A and among the few in the market to be so. It was a non HT receiver so Yamaha discontinued it in today's world of HT domination.

How much is your main home audio system worth?

How much is your main home audio system worth? - Everyone should take part in this poll..

< $1,000

$1,000 - $2,000

$2,000 - $3,000

$3,000 - $4,000

$4,000 - $5,000

$5,000 - $7,000

$7,000 - $9,000

$9,000 - $12,000+

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