"Cheapest" Reference System

[Early B.]

What is the least expensive reference system you've ever built (or would like to build)?

To make things interesting, the cost should not have exceeded $1,000 for the main components -- amp, pre, speakers, and source(s). Used prices are cool but vintage gear is excluded (except vintage speakers).

One more question -- how did that "cheap" system sound compared to your current system? Better? Worse? How so?

[okiepolkie]

Is that $1000 for each component, or all of them together?

[VR3]

HMM...

If I had to build one...

Def Tech BP8B - 250
B&K PT5 - 300
B&K ST 125.2 - 400
AMC CD8B - 140

So...like........

Total - $1090...SLIGHTLY over, but thats ok...

[Early B.]

Sid - take out those cables and speaker wire and you have some change left. Add it to the source.

[steveinaz]

Hmmm...$1000 per component limit:

Cambridge Audio Azur 640C used as a transport ($600 new)
Benchmark DAC1 DA Converter ($975 new)
Parasound HCA-1500A amp ($799 new, now)
Monolithic PA-1 preamp ($499 new) or use the Benchmark as the pre for FREE.

....hmmmm, best speakers for below 1 kilobuck new.....this is tough...

If I had 1 speaker to pick (new), and $1000.....hmmm...

Energy Connoisseur C-9

that was easy, I've only been researching that question for 9 months now.

[Early B.]

If I had to build one, it would be:

Jolida hybrid int. amp -- $400
Epos speakers (new) or Polk Lsi7's (used) -- $350
Cambridge Audio 500SE -- $250

[Early B.]

Okie & Steve -- a TOTAL of $1,000 for all components.

[steveinaz]

Ok $1000 total, new or used:

Amp: Parasound HCA 1000....$300 used
CDP: Cambridge Audio D500SE...$279 (new or used now)
Pre: Parasound PHP-850 pre...$185 used
Speakers: Athena AS-B2 or Polk Rti6...$225 (new Athena/used Polk)

there, I got 11 bucks left. And if grab those NEW Athena's on the bay right now for $175....I've got 61 bucks left.

[Danny Tse]

My current system, I suppose, can be a reference....:D

Cambridge Audio A500 stereo integrated amp ($250.00)
Energy Conneisseur C-3 bookshelf speakers (300.00/pair)
Sony DVP-NS500V SACD/CD/DVD player ($175.00)
PS Audio 2M Prelude speaker cables ($57.00)
Standesign BB-75 24 inch metal speaker stands (79.00)
Vidrapods underneath Sony SACD/DVD player ($32.00)

All brand-new from authorized dealers. Under $900.00*

* Can add TEAC Tripath power amp for another $100.00

Edit: Lots of mention of Cambridge Audio in this thread.

[VR3]

Originally posted by Early B.
Sid - take out those cables and speaker wire and you have some change left. Add it to the source.

Changed it

[Early B.]

Lots of mention of Cambridge Audio in this thread.
Yeah, seems to be the entry components into a higher quality of sound (way beyond the CC and BB stuff). My first 2-channel system consisted of a Cambridge Audio 640C CD player, HK PA2000 amp, Parasound PHP-850 pre and a pair of Polk Lsi7's (new) -- all for approx. $1,000.

If I had to do it again, I'd get the best used integrated amp I could find.

[RuSsMaN]

Antique Sound Labs HB1 Head Amp - $250 (http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ASLHB1&product_name=HB1%20Hybrid%20Tube%20Headphone%20Amp )

Sumiko Pro-ject Debut III Table - $299 (http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?cat=120&sku=ASUMDEBUT3GREEN)

Sumiko Pro-Ject Phono Box - $119 (http://www.musicdirect.com/products/detail.asp?cat=130&sku=ASUMPHONO)

Sennheiser HD-600 Carbon Fiber Headphones - $249 (http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=SENBHD600&product_name=HD-600%20Carbon%20Fiber%20Headphones%20with%20FREE%20 Sennheiser%20Ball%20Point%20Pen%20--%20Factory-Refreshed)

Signal Cable Analog One - Two Pair - $72 (http://signalcable.com/analogone.html)

Total $989.00

Cheers,
Russ

[steveinaz]

Danny-
How do you like your C-3's? I've read alot of glowing reviews on those, and have pretty much decided that if I ever go bookshelf again, it'll be the C-3's or ACI Emeralds....

[Danny Tse]

Steve-

I actually started with a pair of Energy C-1's, which are excellent in my small den. However, while browsing at my local dealer, I came across a sale on the C-3 for $300.00/pair (MSRP $500.00/pair) and I decided it was too good of a deal to pass up. The Connoisseur series use an aluminum tweeter that's quite detailed, but not bright at all. Not even when "out of the box", but they do sound better after breaking-in. They don't go especially deep in the bass, relatively to something like the NHT SB3, but what it can do is tight and fast. Excellent in the midrange frequencies....which to me, is more important. These speakers are front-ported and that makes positioning them easier than with rear-ported speakers. In the $400.00/pair range, the Monitor Audio Bronze B2 is just as good. Beware that the C-3 does dip into 4 ohms at certain frequencies, based upon the lab test done by soundstage.com. Here's the link to the review....

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/energy_c3.htm

It's not everyday that I can afford a speaker that gets mentioned in the same sentence as Revel speakers.

Energy is also readying a new Connoisseur Reference line....more expensive than the regular Connoisseur line but cheaper than the Veritas line.

[shack]

The rig I've got set up right now for some Cable Swap demos is pretty nice an meets the $1,000 threshold. All gear was purchased used and is 8/10 or 9/10 with actual purchase prices listed (including shipping)....

NAD C160 stereo pre-amp $325
NAD C270 stereo amp - $320
Cambridge Audio D500SE CDP- $215
AQ Sidewinders - (Part of price with CDP)
Polk RT400 Speakers -$85 (or RT25is purchased new for $85)
Signal Cable speaker cables - $50 (actually free but gotta put a price.)

A real world system comprised of well regarded gear for $995.

[Shizelbs]

I'm over the $1,000 limit, but not by much:

SDA SRS 2: $230
Dodd Pre: $300
Sunfire Symphonic Reference amp: $600
Toshiba CDP: $50
Blue Jeans ICs: $20
Total: $1200

[madmax]

I'm working on mine now.

DecWare HDT speakers (home built)
Drivers: $295
Cabinent materials: $125

Toshiba 3960
Unit: $48
Modification parts: $125

Sonic Impact 10W T-Amp
Unit: $22
Modification parts: $150

Cables
Audioquest Type IV wire: $40
Home made interconnects: $50
Home made power cable: $60

Total cost: $915
Should equal the sound of a $6K system. :D

madmax

[TroyD]

Check this thread out...

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4103

BDT

[George Grand]

How about this from a few years ago:

Marantz "Esotec" SC-8 preamp, mint in original box - $5.50

Marantz "Esotec" SM-8, 100wpc pwr amp, mint in original box - $5.50

Nakamichi 581 cassette deck - mint in original box - $10

KEF Reference 102A speakers - $26

For the mathematically challenged, it's under $50 for the package. Everybody can just quit now.

I can put together about 5 or 10 more systems like that, which I have nailed over the years.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[George Grand]

Now if it's REALLY low dollars you want to hear about, this was purchased AS A SYSTEM, less than a year ago:

NAD 7130 receiver
Yamaha auto reverse cassette deck
Yamaha single cd player
Bang & Olufsen turntable

Every piece works like a charm, is still under this roof, and cost me the princely sum of 2 U.S. dollars TOTAL.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[Jstas]

Onkyo P-301 Preamp -- $100
Onkyo T-4210 Tuner -- $50
dBx DX3 CD Player -- $0.00 + $2.50 in parts to repair
Adcom GFA-535 MKII -- $140
Polk Audio SDA 2B -- $350

Total $642.50

Not too bad especially since the Onkyo stuff is less than 4 years old. It's all standing right next to me right now.

[George Grand]

You spent more for parts to fix the DBX cd player that I gave you than I spent for the entire above system.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[pjdami]

It is surprising what one can put together for $1,000. One of my two channel rigs fits that category. All used equipment here....trying to remember....I believe it ran me $1,150 but the extra $150 was well worth it. If one is patient and lucky then the following can be had for about $1,000.

Rotel RCD-961 cdp
Melos SHA-1 tube linestage preamp
B&K or Parasound amp
Polk Monitor 10As w/ Peerless tweets

Sounds wonderful and holds its own against my more expensive rigs.

[BlueMDPicker]

Originally posted by Early B.
What is the least expensive reference system you've ever built (or would like to build)?
Perhaps the quotation marks should be one word to the right in the thread title? ;)

What is the definition of a reference system? I'm serious. Personally, I don't use the term but I've seen it used frequently. I've always assumed (another tricky word) it meant a benchmark system - one by which all others are judged, compared, or evaluated.

[George Grand]

Excellent point. I would now submit that the system I purchased above for $2, is THE BENCHMARK for all systems containing a receiver, turntable, cd player, and cassette deck selling in the $1-$10 range.

The same statement would apply to the sysytem I accumulated for under $50 in the post above it. For giggles I will add the Euphonic Technology ET-650 cd player I purchased for $5, bringing the sum total of a system to $51. I believe it sets the standard for systems containing speakers, separate amp/preamp, cassette deck, and cd player for under $52.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[VR3]

A reference system is something you compare everything else to...

Kind of like a 'reference material' - which you use to demo gear with, etc

Thats my take

[Zero]

I concur with Sid- it is a system in which you base comparisons off of. This can extend itself to what one owns and what one has heard or seen before.

It also ranges at all prices, from the $5 give aways that George has come across - to 1 million dollar rigs and everything in between.

Some people own or have owned multiple systems and have one they consider the "reference rig"... which is what they use to judge all other existing along with all incoming components in their home.

Also, some simply use "reference" to describe their main system. In that case, the word is used to describe ones "main" system. Just another example of how a word can be adopted to take on a different meaning as intended.

[George Grand]

I want to adopt a word. Are there any that look like Jenny McCarthy?

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[madmax]

Originally posted by George Grand
Jenny McCarthy

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

Georges reference woman...

[George Grand]

ABSOLUTELY! The one to compare all others against! MAX, that was beautiful!

George

[jdhdiggs]

At this point:

Maggie MMG-$550
Anonymouse/Madmax 3960 -$200
Gruntball Carver: $200
Passive Pre -$85

$1035 without cables.

George: Still working on the other project, just dealing with a family issue on that end.

[George Grand]

Jenny, Jenny.....Jenny.

Thanks mon!

George

[RuSsMaN]

Nice rigs, keep em' coming guys.

[steveinaz]

There's nothing sexier than a pretty woman who can belch really loud.

EDITED 'cause I'm a dickhead.

[Zero]

There's nothing sexier than a pretty woman who can belch really loud. My little sister is like that


Now thats quote material!!

[steveinaz]

Man, that does sound bad after re-reading it.

[faster100]

Ok here go's


parasound pre ph/p 850 $127.00 (before the tube pre i have)
parasound amp 1200II $425.00
Tosh 3960 cd $60.00
Fisher tuner $8.00
polk sda1's $350.00

Total $970

Not includeing cables, signal speaker 73.00ish , interconnects about 40 total used...

[I-SIG]

Let's see here...I got what now appears to be a couple of bargains in my current sytem, so I'm gonna use the prices I paid. :)

SDA-1C Studio's-> $300 (used)
Audio Alchemy w/ CIA power supply-> $110 (used)
NEC CDR-602 CD-ROM-> $30 (used)
Parasound HCA-1500-> $400 (used)
Cables-> $160

Wes

[Shizelbs]

I'm thinking Russ had it right going with the headphone route.

Here's my go at it:

Sennheiser HD-650 (used) ~$200
Upgraded headphone cable ~$150
Corda HA-2 headphone amp (used) ~$450
Signal Cable Analog 2 $50
CDP your pick up to $150

[jdhdiggs]

Man, people are quoting some low $$$ for SDA's... Used market opens up so much variability, so does stupid good deals..

Wilson X2 -$50
Mark Levinson Mono block Amps $25
F1's and George's whole system while they are attacking Sid -$0

For $75, I got a decent setup... :D

[VR3]

Gonna take more than George and F1 to get me... ;)

If I found a Wilson X2 for $50 dollars...

Id buy them, go back the next day...beat up the owners for being idiots, then list them on ebay for...lke...50-60,000 dollar BIN...

Since their 125,000 list...wouldnt take long at all to sell..

[jdhdiggs]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Id buy them, go back the next day...beat up the owners for being idiots, then list them on ebay for...lke...50-60,000 dollar BIN...

Since their 125,000 list...wouldnt take long at all to sell..

Yeah, because someone with 60K sitting around just to buy speakers with is going to be on E-bay... Right... They ought to be out enjoying one of their Ferrari's or taking their trophy wife (ore husband) for a test drive and not on E-bay...

It was just a point that some people weren't using typical real world prices, but rather "best ever" pricing. If we do that, how about some LSi7's new for $150? :rolleyes:

[Danny Tse]

Originally posted by Danny Tse
My current system, I suppose, can be a reference....:D

Cambridge Audio A500 stereo integrated amp ($250.00)
Energy Conneisseur C-3 bookshelf speakers (300.00/pair)
Sony DVP-NS500V SACD/CD/DVD player ($175.00)
PS Audio 2M Prelude speaker cables ($57.00)
Standesign BB-75 24 inch metal speaker stands (79.00)
Vidrapods underneath Sony SACD/DVD player ($32.00)

All brand-new from authorized dealers. Under $900.00*

* Can add TEAC Tripath power amp for another $100.00

Edit: Lots of mention of Cambridge Audio in this thread.

The Sony DVP-NS500V is being considered to be replaced. I suppose I can replace it with my Sony SCD-CE595, but I am thinking of selling that player*. Most likely go with Sony's DVP-NS755V DVD/SACD/CD player for about $120.00.

So, the total for my "cheap reference system" should drop by $50.00 or so.

* Selling due to preference for a single-disc player and remote, which doesn't allow for direct access track selection or powering up/down. Otherwise, the 595 is an amazing player.

[W WALDECKER]

hello i just joined club polk i have owned the monitor 4. 5 jr +and monitor 10 series 2 polks. i used to pair these speakers with harmon kardon electronics i am now a big fan of odyssey audio based on the high end german designs of mr rolf gemien of symphonic line in germany. odyssey is licenced by symphonic line to build power amplifiers and pre amplifiers in the united states using rolf gemiens designs how about a system based on a used odyssey stratos amp(150 wpc) under $1.000 us or a new odyssey khartago amp(110 wpc)$775.00 us with a used odyssey tempest preamp under $1.000 us paired with a ah! njoe tjoeb cdp with a tube output stage $600+to $1200 depending on options and maybe a pair of polk sda 1 a reference loudspeakers has anyone had good results pairing polks with odyssey gear? i would think there would be good synergy between them.

[George Grand]

I don't have a clue, but I would love to hereby dub you.........WALDO.


George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[ohskigod]

i cant speak from experience, but if i use logic

Stratos = GOOD

SDA-1 = GOOD

Combo = gotta be GOOD


Never had the chance to here Odyssey gear, but i've heard nothing but good things, are supposed to be phenomenal performers, especially at their price point. Cant be far off since you rarely if ever find them used.


PS, i'm a "third" too :cool:

[ohskigod]

P.S. 2 posts, and you allready got a nickname, you should be flaterred :D

[W WALDECKER]

heres a clue! just dont call me late for dinner

[setzer808]

"looks at 2ch portion of his HT....lets see"

Speakers: RT55i's ($250)
Subwoofer: PSW-350 ($200)
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V496 ($250)
Player: Sony SCD-CE595 ($125)
Wire: Monster Cable Z1's ($50)

Total: $875

[ohskigod]

guess i should throw mine in the mix


Parasound PHP 850 pre = 150.00 used
Carver 4.0t amp = 400.00 used
Tosh (unmodded) = 70.00
SDA-2b (with replacement tweets) 350.00+100.00 tweets = 450.00

1070.00 total, and a fairly respectable tig for the coin i paid (not including my turntable)

[MillerLiteScott]

I found this thread and thought it might be good to revive it @ 2 years latter.

I currently have.

ASL Wave 25DT's $450.00 I love the sound of the tubes. Hope to roll some soon.
Monitor 5's Modded $225.00 I am really impressed with these little speakers
Currently using a Roku Sound Bridge $200.00. Works pretty good. The lossless material sound pretty good.
Wire and cables @ $25.00


@$ 800.00 for everything.

While this is definitely not audio nirvana it has opened a whole new avenue for me and let me rediscover some of my favorite music. I am pretty happy with the sound and it is definitely a great way to get into tubes.

[dkg999]

My current system for the office is pretty good!

NAD 720BEE receiver - $499
NAD 521BEE CDP - $225
EPOS ELS-3 speakers - $250

Leaves it a little short on $ for decent IC's and speaker cables, so I guess you need to save a little more $ to upgrade to your choice!

[bikerboy]

Heres a go at it:
SDA-2 with RDO tweeters $325
Carver CT-17 $50
Toshiba 3950 w/mods $200
B&K ST-202 $300
DIY Cardas cables $100
=$975
Almost my current system
Thanks to the forum, the gon, and CL

[cmy330go]

Cool thread to revive.

I love getting great performance out of budget components.

I've been considering building a budget system around my RT25i's, this just might be the motivation I needed.

[fredv]

My bedroom ref:
Eico ST-70 integrated tube amp - $300 (used)
Pioneer PL-550 turntable - $35 (used)
New Shure cartridge - $70 (new)
Adcom GDA-600 DAC - $100 (used)
Toshiba SD-4960 DVD player - $70 (new)
Dahlquist DQ-12 - $200 (used)
Nakamichi CA-1 tape deck - $50 (used)
DIY cables - $50 (new)
total = $875.

[MillerLiteScott]

I found this thread and thought it might be good to revive it @ 2 years latter.

I currently have.

ASL Wave 25DT's $450.00 I love the sound of the tubes. Hope to roll some soon.
Monitor 5's Modded $225.00 I am really impressed with these little speakers
Currently using a Roku Sound Bridge $200.00. Works pretty good. The lossless material sound pretty good.
Wire and cables @ $25.00


@$ 800.00 for everything.

While this is definitely not audio nirvana it has opened a whole new avenue for me and let me rediscover some of my favorite music. I am pretty happy with the sound and it is definitely a great way to get into tubes.

Picked up a Yamaha CDC-765 5 disc CD player toady from my brother in trade for about 45 minutes worth of caulking. Turns out it has a variable output level with a control on the remote so I plugged it right into the back of my mono blocks and it sounds pretty good.

That puts me at @$ 600.00 right now.

[madmax]

Two years later and MY cheap system is still waiting for me to make the speaker cabs. Sad...
madmax

[ohskigod]

here's one I have been meaning to put together, since I allready own almost all the stuff


Dodd ELP preamp (300.00....what I paid)
Anthem Amp 1 (modded) paid Russ 400 ish
Rogers LS-6 monitors (paid 200.00, awesome speaks for the $)

thats 900, but without a source. might do an oppo for sacd or something

[MillerLiteScott]

Picked up a Yamaha CDC-765 5 disc CD player toady from my brother in trade for about 45 minutes worth of caulking. Turns out it has a variable output level with a control on the remote so I plugged it right into the back of my mono blocks and it sounds pretty good.

That puts me at @$ 600.00 right now.

Now with the Nakamichi CA-5 I have @ $875.00 in to this rig and I am telling you that I can not believe how good it sounds, considering what I am out of pocket.

I have Mark to thank for this. I got into this mess with a HT in my sites but I am telling you 2 channel is where it is at.

[AndyGwis]

Is this a "brag about your great deals" thread or a "if you were a noob with $1K, what would you look to buy at current street prices to be your reference system?"

For everyday realistic street prices:
Integrated amp (closeout Onix or something): $400
Sony SACD-ES Player: $200
Used LSi7s: $250
Sub: whatever you can find used $150

For a third option, just look at my 2-channel rig sig. . . it cost well under $1K to assemble.