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Bargain audio equipment for classical fan?
(Fitz) wrote in message ...
Everyone's asking for a budget. All right: let's say I'm after an
amplifier and speakers. I'll stick with a commodity CD player for now.
And -- just to push the envelope a little -- I'd like to get it all
done for under $1,000.
The standard approach would be an integrated amp, and the low-cost
contenders here are NAD, Rotel, Marantz, and Yamaha. Their least
expensive units run $400-550, I think. (I'm looking at last year's
prices.)
If that doesn't leave you enough room for speakers, there's a cheaper
route: Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha all make stereo receivers (gasp!) in
the $200-300 range. They wouldn't be the high-end choice, but they'll
probably drive the speakers you choose just fine.
For speakers, everybody's got an opinion. Brands to look at include
PSB (Image 4T), Paradigm (Monitor series), and maybe B&W (602s). Find
out what's available near you, and choose from that list, but go far
enough afield to hear some of these brands.
The most important point is not to stint on speakers. If you've
devoted substantially less than half your budget to them, you're
probably settling for less than you can afford.
Finally, of course, don't take anybody's word for anything. Listen
yourself.
PA
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