My cheapskate sytem assembled fro brand-new components

[Danny Tse]

Amongst the various components that I have, I can now say a $200.00 system can be assembled from brand-new components....

Sherwood RX-4109 stereo receiver $70.00 (Black Friday special from Radio Shack)
Yamaha DV-SL5860 universal player $37.00 (still available - I think, see link in "Audio Deal of the Day" thread)
Energy C-100 bookshelf speakers $88.00/pair (brand-new from woot.com)

$195.00 total (including taxes and shipping)

Of course, I am not saying this is an audiophile-quality system. However, it's quite decent and it can be a good starter system for a teenager.

[MrGlobe]

That would be a respectable system for sure. I just wish that people who go to walmart and buy a $200 HTIB (or shelf systems for that matter) would instead buy that. I don't think the average person understands how much more upgradeable, better sounding, etc that system would be.

[Keiko]

I had one of those Yammie 5860 universals for a short time before giving it to my brother. For 36.00 you can't go wrong. It does all this and sounds pretty decent.

***** DVD+R/RW, DVD+R, DVD-R/RW, CD-RW - DVD Video, Video CD, SVCD, DVD Audio, SACD, CD-DA, Picture CD, DivX, MP3, WMA, JPEG Playback - 1 Disc(s) - Progressive Scan *****

This is a No-Brainer for you guys that want to get your feet wet and try what SACD has to offer. Nice score, Danny!

http://www.buy.com/prod/yamaha-dv-s5860-dvd-player-dvd-r-rw-dvd-r-dvd-r-rw-cd-rw-dvd-video/q/loc/111/203086305.html

Free shipping too boot! That's a steal.

[jaxwired]

That would be a respectable system for sure. I just wish that people who go to walmart and buy a $200 HTIB (or shelf systems for that matter) would instead buy that. I don't think the average person understands how much more upgradeable, better sounding, etc that system would be.

It's not a matter of understanding, it's a matter of caring. Most people don't care about getting better sound. If it wasn't for home theater, the vast majority of people would not even have a stereo in their homes. Most people do not listen to music in their homes ever, period. So why should they care about sound quality?

The HTIB they buy is just for movies and to their untrained ears that POS HTIB sounds fantastic during the explosions in Die Hard. Especially when they set the cheap sub level up to max so that it's belching out grossly bloated and highly distorted bass. That's what Americans like. It's unfortunate, but true.

[steveinaz]

I'm close to that with:

Sherwood RX-4105...$75 new (JR's)
Toshiba 3950...$30 (polk FM)
Energy C-3...$125/pr (ebay)

$230 bucks.

Paired with my Advent Calypso speakers ($49/pr refurbs) instead of the C-3's, it would be $154!

[coolsax]

or if you want towers do what Danny did for receiver and player and then pick up R50s from Frys when they have them onsale for 59 bucks a piece.

[concealer404]

I was very close to that until the B&K hit the loop.

[Malaka]

Danny, I like your choice of inexpensive components in trying to put together that very inexpensive, but decent sounding system! I've been doing this most of my life, because I have so many expensive hobbies (I can't afford them all)!

I actually put together a 'high end' sounding system for my office/computer room (see it under 'system showcase' listed next to my moniker, 'Malaka') that sends chills up my spine, it sounds so timbrally accurate, detailed, and musical... for $850!

You CAN do a lot with a little, if you know what you're doing!