I'd use what you have and look for a used pair of Silverline Minuets. Saw them at an audio show where the designer was using a low-fi CD player he bought at a garage sale and it sounded unbelievably good. Then go from there. Best of luck.
Help with a secondary system
Hi!
So, juxtaposed to her interest in getting a bigger tv, the wife has graciously acknowledged my need for a legitimate audio playback system in our living room. I have my main digital and vinyl audio system down in my basement listening room and I have no urge (or financial means) to replicate it either in quality or in price upstairs.
We also have a Tivoli radio system through which we jack our iPhones or Pads for Pandora and other streaming media. But many times I just want to put on a cd for the musical continuity and not have to hassle with youtube, etc. And I have no urge to transfer all my discs and vinyl download onto my iPhone, either.
I have an old Onkyo TX575 processor I bought new in 2000 or so (and haven't used in about seven years). Everything else will have to be bought new or used. No need for a sub upstairs. Plus, I have two toddlers, though I can keep the main components out of their reach. I'd like to keep the budget under $700. For everything.
Questions:
1. Speakers? Should I go with, say, the Stereophile-acclaimed Pioneer SP-BS122 ($129). A used pair of Triangle Titus when they come up for sale? What would you recommend?
2. I assume we'll also use this system for the tv, though we don't watch much stuff that demands high volume or ground-shaking bass. I'm not into 5.1 or 7.1, either. Should I stick with the Onkyo? Has receiver technology improved immensely since 2000? Should I even use a receiver or get a good used integrated?
3. What about a CD player? Or should I use our existing, ten-year old Sony DVD player (can you tell we're not home theater people :)? I mean, I do want SOME fidelity in this system, but I'll save the serious listening for downstairs.
It's odd to be in a position where I'm building a system I know isn't going to be for hi-fidelity, but I still have audiophile standards.
What say you?
So, juxtaposed to her interest in getting a bigger tv, the wife has graciously acknowledged my need for a legitimate audio playback system in our living room. I have my main digital and vinyl audio system down in my basement listening room and I have no urge (or financial means) to replicate it either in quality or in price upstairs.
We also have a Tivoli radio system through which we jack our iPhones or Pads for Pandora and other streaming media. But many times I just want to put on a cd for the musical continuity and not have to hassle with youtube, etc. And I have no urge to transfer all my discs and vinyl download onto my iPhone, either.
I have an old Onkyo TX575 processor I bought new in 2000 or so (and haven't used in about seven years). Everything else will have to be bought new or used. No need for a sub upstairs. Plus, I have two toddlers, though I can keep the main components out of their reach. I'd like to keep the budget under $700. For everything.
Questions:
1. Speakers? Should I go with, say, the Stereophile-acclaimed Pioneer SP-BS122 ($129). A used pair of Triangle Titus when they come up for sale? What would you recommend?
2. I assume we'll also use this system for the tv, though we don't watch much stuff that demands high volume or ground-shaking bass. I'm not into 5.1 or 7.1, either. Should I stick with the Onkyo? Has receiver technology improved immensely since 2000? Should I even use a receiver or get a good used integrated?
3. What about a CD player? Or should I use our existing, ten-year old Sony DVD player (can you tell we're not home theater people :)? I mean, I do want SOME fidelity in this system, but I'll save the serious listening for downstairs.
It's odd to be in a position where I'm building a system I know isn't going to be for hi-fidelity, but I still have audiophile standards.
What say you?