putting together small system for inlaw HELP!

[SLOCOOKN]

I only have a budget of 300.00. I will try for more. Two channel. I am not sure what to do. The only real option at this range is a box system.

Any other advise is welcome!

Thanks,
Steve

[ESAVINON]

new or used?

[danger boy]

$300 for everything? Speakers, receiver, DVD player? or just the speakers? look at used bookshelf then.

maybe something like these http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Monitor-30_W0QQitemZ290111587934QQihZ019QQcategoryZ14991QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[SLOCOOKN]

Either

[SLOCOOKN]

I will try and increase the budget lets say 1000.00 at the most what would you all recommend?

This is from start to finish (everything). I would like to show them several options..

Thanks,
Steve

[Ricardo]

That's a tough budget to work with....

-Polk Monitor 5 or 4; you should be able to get them for less than $100
-This receiver:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1182271671
-This CD Player:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1183152837

[ESAVINON]

are they good inlaws or bad? if good, then go for the $1000 system. If bad, go for a $300 bose clock radio.

[AndyGwis]

You could put together a decent bookshelf system with that amount, if you are patient.

I had some T20ebs / Monitor 30s ($65 - $100/pr new Tweeter), Pioneer Elite A35R ($100 - $150 ebay), Polk PSW100/202/250 ($50 - $75 used) which did the job admirably in my bedroom setup. Add a decent DVD player and you're good to go.

[SLOCOOKN]

That's a tough budget to work with....

-Polk Monitor 5 or 4; you should be able to get them for less than $100
-This receiver:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1182271671
-This CD Player:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1183152837


Ok...we have the receiver...need dvd/cd..2 channel speakers...

[adam2434]

$300 New:
Onkyo 8511: http://ecost.com/ecost/ecce/shop/detail.asp?dpno=4876298

Polk R300: ttp://shop1.outpost.com/product/4965501?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Toshiba or Sony DVD player for around $50.

For around $500 new, I'd go with a Harman Kardon 3480 refurb and maybe a pair of the AV123 x-series floorstanders or bookshelves if space is tight.

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55

Of course, used will stretch the dollar, but requires more time/effort and has more risk.

Edit: just saw that you have a receiver.

[AndyGwis]

I have some cheap 2-channel speakers you could have for $50 that are pretty decent (PSB Alpha somethings). But, they aren't "mint" and shipping would probably run them up closer to $75. . . probably better options out there for that price.

Decent bookshelfs, though.

Does CL in your area have any decent options? That's where I would go for extreme budget speakers. Or fleabay with a localized search to save on shipping.

[danger boy]

or you could go with a Polk SurroundBar and a big kickass subwoofer and call it good. ;)

[WilliamM2]

That Onkyo is a refurb. If I were buying for someone else, I would not go used or refurb. They will blame you when it fails, trust me.

[SLOCOOKN]

$300 New:
Onkyo 8511: http://ecost.com/ecost/ecce/shop/detail.asp?dpno=4876298

Polk R300: ttp://shop1.outpost.com/product/4965501?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Toshiba or Sony DVD player for around $50.

For around $500 new, I'd go with a Harman Kardon 3480 refurb and maybe a pair of the AV123 x-series floorstanders or bookshelves if space is tight.

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55

Of course, used will stretch the dollar, but requires more time/effort and has more risk.

Edit: just saw that you have a receiver.

Ecost has a terrible online rep. I would not order from them!

[adam2434]

Didn't know ecost had a bad rep. I got a little Onkyo 50 watt/ch refurb for my sister from them. No problems with the service or unit. Of course, I inspected and tested the unit for a few days prior to setting it up for her. Maybe I got lucky.

[dragon1952]

If I were you I'd start with something like vintage Baby Advent's. Awesome sounding speakers and you can get them on Ebay for between $70-$100 shipped, give or take a few. I've got a pair of Advent Graduates that I got for $80 that sound incredible.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-BABY-II-SPEAKERS-W-ORIGINAL-PACKING-NEW-FOAM_W0QQitemZ230122734962QQihZ013QQcategoryZ14991 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-BABY-ADVENT-III-PAIR-OF-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ280110340614QQihZ018QQcategoryZ1 4991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Then I would get a used 2-channel receiver. Harman Kardon currently makes some nice ones and I bet you could find one for around $100-$125. Also, something like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-CR-440-AUDIOPHILE-STEREO-AM-FM-RECEIVER-MINT_W0QQitemZ150118443706QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3279Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Then you could pick up a used NAD C521 or 541 for around $150-$200 or even something vintage like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-FL-8385-5-Disc-CD-Changer-Player-NR_W0QQitemZ150118378417QQihZ005QQcategoryZ14975QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These things usually end up going for around $75.

That would be a really nice sounding system for possibly even under $300.

[surfntomm]

if your on such a tight budget dont even consider buying new because you are throwing away your money. get some used local speakers off craigslist or ebay, if you wait a while you will find a great deal. i see pairs of speakers on craigslist go all the time. a pair of rti100 for 175 in mint condition, rti38 for 100 etc etc..... either up your budget or wait till you find the right deal.

[dudeinaroom]

There is tons and tons of stuff on the bay right now, I saw marantz, nad, onkyo and pioneer receivers that had less than 4 hours left all under 50 bucks. Denon, jvc, nad cd players under 25 with less than 8 hous left and speaker..... Polk, Maggies, Kef ,Mission, A/D/S, older AR, Advent all under $150 with less than 3 days most less than one. I had about 50 links for you, but my son hit the power button on the strip and I didn't feel like searching again, there were also Shangling cd players under $50 with a day or so left,

good luck,
dude

[SLOCOOKN]

Didn't know ecost had a bad rep. I got a little Onkyo 50 watt/ch refurb for my sister from them. No problems with the service or unit. Of course, I inspected and tested the unit for a few days prior to setting it up for her. Maybe I got lucky.

You can look on line here. This saved my arse...when I bought my digital camera

Link: http://www.resellerratings.com/
Click on store ratings

[engtaz]

I have had no problems with ecost.

[dipiazza]

I'll second the AV123 x-ls good speaks for around $200, they have a few different finishes now too.

[dudeinaroom]

Onkyo Integra TX-85receiver/Phase tech PC-80/IIs speakers with stands - $179 (http://annarbor.craigslist.org/ele/321740019.html)
Kef 102 speakers - $99 (http://annarbor.craigslist.org/ele/321737905.html)
Snell K-III bookshelf speakers(1996) - $169 (http://annarbor.craigslist.org/ele/321736300.html)
Denon and Kef Stereo system! - $139 (http://annarbor.craigslist.org/ele/321735911.html)

All in Michigan, don't know about shipping, would have to ask.

[ohskigod]

I can vouch for that Onk (not the actual listing, just the product). My father rolled with that reciever for YEARS. bought it new for 700 or so 85 or so (replaced a sansui model 8), and died still using it. couldnt find anything reasonably priced that he liked more.

great tuner section, and a more than adequate phone section. Can drive 4 8ohm speakers with ease (my dad loved running 4 speakers, one in each corner). Cant remember if it is 4 ohms kosher, but would be surprised if it wasnt, the unit seemed that solid. I drooled over that reciever as a kid

[madmax]

Keep an eye on the flea market too. I keep seeing stuff there I would pick up if I had a need.
madmax

[appadv]

I would recommend an Onkyo TX-8511 and a pair of Polk RTi4 or RTi6, perhaps.

[SLOCOOKN]

They have decided to wait to build there garage. I will continue to search for the great deal.

Thanks for all the help!

Steve