Satisfying Budget Systems

I know exactly the pleasure that putting together a sweet budget/second system can give. I wanted streaming and better sound in my bedroom, so out went my old marantz mini system and wharfedale diamond 10.1's, replaced by a used Bluesound node2 and JBL lsr305 active speakers.

This system puts a huge smile on my face every time I listen. If I was building a main system from scratch now I would start with larger active studio speakers.

The JBLs or Yamaha HS active speakers are good enough to make a brilliant system with a DAC v1 or even a dedicated preamp

The term "budget" is highly subjective. I might consider a budget system anything under $900. Others would still find that over the top expenditure.

But I get what you are saying. The great thing about budget systems is because they are not so high strung and sensitive, they rarely suffer from all the crap we put up with in high end systems like being able to hear when a cable is stressed etc. Their weakness is also their strength.

I also love budget systems. Building them is so much fun and when you build one in another room and don't go broke in the process it is really satisfying. There is some real hifi out there for those on a budget.

PC>Sonore micro/or ultraRendu>Teac UD-501 DAC>Cayin HA-1A (as a pre-amp, say into a NAP 90  and/or headphone amp say with Massdrop 6XX or AKG 7xx). Budget especially when bought used!

Warmish/tubey/rounded sound, but  an almost direct connection to the musicians!

My budget system is my JVC PC-X560 boombox bought in 1994 for $95. Still functions flawlessly with its remote. Sits mostly in my shop for happy CD listening, but I can tote it around outdoors as needed for listening to local FM radio music or ballgames on AM. Probably 20 years since I played a cassette in it and I don't think I've ever used its HP-out. A good value that has far exceeded its original 1-year warranty. Also a good metric to help me appreciate quality replay on my dedicated system.

I love my Qb in my kitchen/breakfast room.  

Totally agree with Felling Zens comments budget systems are so much fun as you lower your expectations and you know their never going to better your main systems but they can be so enjoyable.I have three on the go

1) work - Aiwa microsystem which is tiny in size plays Compact Discs and we stream off the p.c with a 3.5 mm - RCA lead for internet radio etc

2) Home Study - P.C system - output into a Audiolab 8000 P Poweramp - Chord 3.5 mm RCA lead  wth  some Goodman's mini speakers.I really enjoy this system as the 100 watt Audiolab really gets a firm grip on the Speakers.

3) Lastly a kitchen system put together last month after buying a Denon PMA 250 SE  integrated amplifier off a friend for £20.Had a Pioneer PDS 801 compact disc player in a cupboard and pressed some old Celestion Ditton 15 XR  speakers with it and some DNM loudspeaker cable and some XLO signiture RCA interconnect for Compact disc and Chord 3.5 mm RCA for streaming off You Tube off my I Pad.

I´m loving the idea of a "secondary budget system". I have used a couple at work (Nait2 CB, Cyrus dad 3 and Paradigm speakers/ Onkyo Amp, Cambridge Audio DVD Player etc etc.). Last week I purchased a Klipsch The One to keep it simple. I like the look and it punches well above its weight. I choosed this one since it can be used by the built in battery and can be moved around (i.e. from cabin to office). Might add a CD-player later. Vinyl is out of the question BTW due to the fact that my workplace is "floating around".... ( a merchant vessel..) 

Tabby cat posted:

3) Lastly a kitchen system put together last month after buying a Denon PMA 250 SE  integrated amplifier ...

An all time favourite. The PMA250 would fly off the shelves selling starter systems. Though I'm quite a NAD fan at the budget level, the PMA250SE just blew away averything in the sub GBP200 bracket. It sounded good. Is sturdy. Has a timeless fascia that Denon have never moved away from. I cannot count how many budget systens I sold with this amp driving a pair of Mission 731.

Feeling Zen,

Yeah I had a big grin on my face when I pressed the Denon into service as it sounded great.The tone controls are handy as some Compact Discs can sound a bit bright in the High Frequencies or a bit dull sometimes.Its a lovely little amp very listenable.Its a ironic with that system as the XLO interconnect cost more than the whole system at retail.

Denon have a great reputation with their microsystems and AV stuff - I can understand why.

Loved your comments that budget systems put the fun into HI FI again

Cheers Ian 

I put together a secondary system for my other half.

Denon D-M40DAB + Monitor Audio Bronze BX2  £350 list price.  Similar can be obtained from discounters for £260 using Q acoustic 3020s.
Surprisingly entertaining, surprisingly capable, more so than any other system I've heard at at anything like the price.  Yes the sound is somewhat limited in clarity and subtlety and small speakers limit the bass, but there are no real issues that stand out annoyingly.  Add a CCA for streaming & connection to mobile devices.

I've since built a couple more for people using second hand components:
Denon D-M39DAB / Denon D-M40DAB / (Denon D-M41DAB?)    £120 - £150
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 or 10.1 / Q Acoustics 2020i                   £70 - £90
Atacama Nexus 5 or 6                £35
Chromecast Audio                             £20 - £30
Speaker Cables                £5 - £30

Hard to beat for a very low budget system.

My Conservatory system:

Squeezebox Touch (Enhanced Digital Output) -> iFi microDAC -> B&W MM-1 computer speakers. A mix of secondhand and manufacturer recertified. It may not look pretty but very musical and fun to put together.

Dave

The most satisfying budget system I know - and one I also use - is a Ponoplayer and a pair of Sennheiser HD600 headphones. Unfortunately I have discovered that not all Ponoplayers are created equal, however, if you are lucky enough to get a good one (and on later firmware), then combine with the stalwart HD600s for a sound that is out of all proportion to the modest cost (under £300).  

Ha, headphones, that's cheating! 

Maybe just a little, but these days you can spend many thousands on a headphone system that doesn't match the natural, life-like and engaging way with music that this little pair achieves.  

Fairy snuff! 

From me....all used=preloved❗ 

Trichord Revelation CD-player, Audion Sterling EL34 amp, Mumma Audio's Mosen-speaker/w stands. Clou Cable interconnect and speaker cables.

This system cost around £ 830-850:-, and is really good when we talked musical-presentation. You can also go for the more cheap CD-player, Trichord Genesis. Than you can have the system for around £ 740-760:-.

You can also add Clou Cable's,....at that time, their entry level power-cords.....you get 2 for around together £ 100:-.

/Peder ???? 

My brother put together a main system on a tight budget about 4 years ago and it remains today.  It comprises a Marantz 5004 CD player (new £160), a Cyrus 6xpD (S/H £200), and pair of original Mission 752s (S/H £60).  The reason I feel compelled to give this system a mention, is because of the outstanding performance it delivers at low volume, as is in you could sensibly talk over it level.  I've never heard a system communicate detail, dynamics, and overall musical engagement better at low volumes.  I love my own set up, and if you crank the volume up to my typical listening level on the Cyrus, things do fall to pieces somewhat, where as my own gear sounds pretty flat and boring at low levels.   If I was moving into a semi-detached house, I would rather have my brothers system vs my current DAC-V1 - SN2 - Kudos X3.  Madness!

.....unless the neighbors were out. 

SongStream posted:

My brother put together a main system on a tight budget about 4 years ago and it remains today.  It comprises a Marantz 5004 CD player (new £160), a Cyrus 6xpD (S/H £200), and pair of original Mission 752s (S/H £60).  The reason I feel compelled to give this system a mention, is because of the outstanding performance it delivers at low volume, as is in you could sensibly talk over it level.  I've never heard a system communicate detail, dynamics, and overall musical engagement better at low volumes.  I love my own set up, and if you crank the volume up to my typical listening level on the Cyrus, things do fall to pieces somewhat, where as my own gear sounds pretty flat and boring at low levels.   If I was moving into a semi-detached house, I would rather have my brothers system vs my current DAC-V1 - SN2 - Kudos X3.  Madness!

so sell the damn sn2, dac v1 and kudos and buy an identical system. 

Robiwan posted:

SongStream posted:

My brother put together a main system on a tight budget about 4 years ago and it remains today.  It comprises a Marantz 5004 CD player (new £160), a Cyrus 6xpD (S/H £200), and pair of original Mission 752s (S/H £60).  The reason I feel compelled to give this system a mention, is because of the outstanding performance it delivers at low volume, as is in you could sensibly talk over it level.  I've never heard a system communicate detail, dynamics, and overall musical engagement better at low volumes.  I love my own set up, and if you crank the volume up to my typical listening level on the Cyrus, things do fall to pieces somewhat, where as my own gear sounds pretty flat and boring at low levels.   If I was moving into a semi-detached house, I would rather have my brothers system vs my current DAC-V1 - SN2 - Kudos X3.  Madness!

so sell the damn sn2, dac v1 and kudos and buy an identical system. 

I won't if you don't mind.  The neighbors are sufficiently distanced, and in my situation, my system is perfect for me.

I once had a pair of original Mission 752s on the end of my CD3/NAC92/90.3 - Oh what fun!

I have a NAD D3020 driving Q Acoustics Concept 20s in the study / home office. Amazing compact system that just sounds right in this space. 

Stephen Tate posted:

I once had a pair of original Mission 752s on the end of my CD3/NAC92/90.3 - Oh what fun!

They are amazing, even now.  I owned the Freedom version for many many years, and great though they were, they didn't, in my system, deliver until the volume was turned up a bit.  That could be down to all kinds of things, but as I said above, the way that budget system with the 752s delivers at low volume is quite extraordinary.  A synergy and a degree of luck I suspect.    

I really like this thread.  So I'm putting together a modest system for work.  I intend to stream Tidal and play from a collection housed on a USB drive.  This will be a "near field" system and the volume will be low.  I've been fiddling with various ideas and tend to end up in the $1,500 range.  Aries Mini or Bluesound Node 2 and maybe Genelec G One speakers at AudioEngine A2+.  Then I listened to the Muso and at first glance, it seemed to offer just what I'm looking for.  Now I don't think of the Muso as being "budget" gear -- but given where I end up when stitching together various ideas, is it so far-fetched?  My primary system is based on NAIM XS components, my home office system is a Naim Uniti Atom and ProAc Tablette 10 speakers.

Stephen Tate posted:

I once had a pair of original Mission 752s on the end of my CD3/NAC92/90.3 - Oh what fun!

Back in the day this system had magic synergy. It was also one of my favourites.