budget system

[1800yolk]

Hi guys!

I'm a beginner audiophile, and have always stuck to sticking my head between a solid pair of cans over having a good speaker setup. It's much cheaper, after all XD

But anyways, I was in Bestbuy today and saw that they're selling Energy CF-50s for $220 a pop. $60 cheaper than amazon, believe it or not. I took a listen to them, and I think they'd work out for me. Someday when I have more money, I'll be the guy dropping thousands on a nice system, but these suckers are gonna be for my first apartment.

So this brings me to my question: What is a sub $200 receiver that will get me by with these speakers? Is there one that exists? The guy in Bestbuy said I should be looking for a 500 watt system, which seemed outlandish. I suppose it would be smarter to spend a little extra to future proof it, so that I can maybe add a subwoofer in the future, but I'm definitely budget shopping.

Thanks for the help! I look forward to learning about audio outside the world of headphone here

 

[ImcLoud]

Do you want a stereo receiver or a home theater receiver?
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR591/DENON-AVR-591-5.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENDRA397/DENON-DRA-397-AM/FM-Multi-Source/Zone-Stereo-Receiver/1.html

it really depends on what you are hooking to this receiver, if you are just pluggin in your ihone or ipod to it via the headphone jack I would just buy a pair of intergrated mono blocks... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-812&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla&utm_term={keyword} I know that would be a little over $200 but you would get much better sound and much louder volumes if you buy a pair of them and brisge them, plus they will last you a long time and you will always have a place for them in your system even when you build a theater, they are great for running surrounds or running you mains, whatever...
Good luck.. and welcome to the forum

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

this sub:
Amazon.com: JBL ES250PBK High-Performance 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer: Electronics

 

[1800yolk]

First off, thanks for the informative replies! I'll be keeping that sub in mind when I get one in the future

Also, to reply to ImcLoud, I think I'm gonna go for a 5.1 system. The Denon that you linked to me looks swell, and I know Denon is top notch in quality and reliability, so I might end up going with that. I came across this though, and was wondering what you thought of it:
amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V371BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver/dp/B004QQXDVC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
(can't post links yet)

I also looked around the forums researching the CF-50s, and it seems the general consensus is that they sound "ok". Though, at their current price of $220 a pop I can't seem to find anything that compares for that cheap. I've seen several people describe them as being "accurate", which is something I prefer over oomph. Plus, a solid sub like BoredSysAdmin mentioned will have me covered, hopefully. Gotta start somewhere eh?

Thanks again guys! I'll still be researching, researching researching.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would go with th e denon over that yammy any day of the week...

 

[1800yolk]

After spending a few more hours researching receivers, I think I'm gonna go with the Denon AVR-591 that you linked me to. I found an 80 watt/channel Onkyo system, but I'd rather have superior internal components over an extra 5 watts per channel.

I have one last question:
If I hooked up my audio source >> Denon AVR-591 >> Dayton Audio APA150 >> CF-50s
I'd get 150 watts per channel, right? I noticed that the Dayton does stereo as well, and a little lightbulb lit up in my head. Not sure if this would actually work though.

Thanks for all the help, and happy holidays!

 

[markw]

I have one last question:
If I hooked up my audio source >> Denon AVR-591 >> Dayton Audio APA150 >> CF-50s
I'd get 150 watts per channel, right?

I don't understand your thinking here.

Here's a link to that receiver's specs. About all I can see is that it's rated at 120 watts if all you want to do is listen to a 1khz test tone. Otherwise, don't count on much more than 75 wpc.

 

[3db]

I would go with th e denon over that yammy any day of the week...

Curious as to know why? Yamaha and Denon are equals in terms of build quality and sonics.

 

[Grador]

I have one last question:
If I hooked up my audio source >> Denon AVR-591 >> Dayton Audio APA150 >> CF-50s
I'd get 150 watts per channel, right? I noticed that the Dayton does stereo as well, and a little lightbulb lit up in my head. Not sure if this would actually work though.

Thanks for all the help, and happy holidays!

That receiver does not have preamp outs, so you couldn't really use the Dayton amp with it (or any power amp for that matter). Additionally that 150 watts is for the amplifier bridged to be run in mono, you would need to buy two of them for that power level.

 

[ImcLoud]

Curious as to know why? Yamaha and Denon are equals in terms of build quality and sonics.

Hey 3db, did you look at that Yamaha? No onscreen display, push terminals, no auto calibration, room software, nothing.... the Denon at least has Audyssey MultEQ... I wouldn't buy that yamaha for my garage, lol,. you surprise me if you would pick it over the 591?
But I agree Yamaha does make as nice a product as Denon for the most part, but when comparing them 2 items at that price piont, I have to dissagree...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

for $200 avr price point you'll get best value on local CL
2-4 years old model can be easily get 2nd hand at $200

 

[ahblaza]

After spending a few more hours researching receivers, I think I'm gonna go with the Denon AVR-591 that you linked me to. I found an 80 watt/channel Onkyo system, but I'd rather have superior internal components over an extra 5 watts per channel.

I have one last question:
If I hooked up my audio source >> Denon AVR-591 >> Dayton Audio APA150 >> CF-50s
I'd get 150 watts per channel, right? I noticed that the Dayton does stereo as well, and a little lightbulb lit up in my head. Not sure if this would actually work though.

Thanks for all the help, and happy holidays!

Go with the reco'd Denon, the Energy speaks and the sub (JBL), forget about the Dayton amps, this will get you going in the right direction, take your time and know what you're buying before you make impulse buys, suggestions are just that, suggestions. You could share some of your plans here and we will respond with honest and respectful criticism, so good luck and welcome.
Cheers Jeff

 

[1800yolk]

Thanks for the advice! The reason I was curious though, is because I've got a sort of purchasing plan planned out. If the Dayton amp works with the Denon receiver, then I'll get the Denon now and the amp later. My plan was to send my audio to the receiver, then send the 75 wpc to the amp, which I was guessing would add an additional 75 wpc, for up to 2 channels. The amp can do mono at 150 watts and stereo at 75 wpc. What I'm not sure about, is whether that would work, or if it would fry the amp or something. Coming from the headphone world, I know it's pretty important to power your components properly. I notice a huge difference between listening with my headphone amp, and just plugging it into the computer.

If that won't work, then I might go with just the amp, and save up for a receiver that does what I'm wanting it to. It seems like this will work though.. Dunno. Thanks again for all the advice guys!

 

[1800yolk]

That receiver does not have preamp outs, so you couldn't really use the Dayton amp with it (or any power amp for that matter). Additionally that 150 watts is for the amplifier bridged to be run in mono, you would need to buy two of them for that power level.

And with this, it sounds like you can't amplify audio that has already been amplified by the receiver, it would either fry the 2nd amp, or if it did work there would be crazy distortion, correct? Thanks!

 

[Grador]

And with this, it sounds like you can't amplify audio that has already been amplified by the receiver, it would either fry the 2nd amp, or if it did work there would be crazy distortion, correct? Thanks!

The voltage coming out of an amplifier is far higher than line level. As a round number you look for line level to peak around 2 volts, the receiver will gladly put out many multiples of that. (Likely around 24 volts for this receiver)

 

[ImcLoud]

I would just get the receiver not the amps, the amps are a good option if you are just using 1 analog stereo source, since they have intergrated volume controls, and keeping the audio path as simple as possible is a good way to get a clean accurate sound...

But since you want an avr, then I would go with the denon, and call it a day.... As for the sub, shop around, and ask here before you buy...

As far as the energy speakers go, $400 is a good buy, but I am not a huge fan of that model or brand, I would say a set of of cbm170se's will sound much more accurate and cost less... Not to mention be much warmer with very little fatigue... Just to c0nfuse things a little more, everyone has opinions you need to spend some time listening to what you are considering, you are going to have to live with and spend your money on what you choose..

 

[1800yolk]

Thanks again for all the help guys! I found a guy in my area selling his Denon 1910 on craigslist, so I made him an offer on it. I offered him $150 since that's what completed auctions on ebay are at, so if he doesn't go for a price in that ballpark then I'll get the refurb Denon, or maybe keep an eye on ebay for the 1910s. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[1800yolk]

Thought I'd keep you guys up to date, and let ya know I ended up getting the Yahama RX-V471 for $210 off newegg, new. I saw the deal, did some googling, and this guy sold me on it:
Budget AVR Comparison: Denon AVR-1612 Vs. Yamaha RX-V471

Thanks for the help everyone! I've learned a lot about receivers over the past week, and you guys were a huge part of that. I'll let ya know how everything sounds when it comes in the mail, and i burn in the speakers