From: kmr4@po.CWRU.Edu (Keith M. Ryan)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Mini system question.
Date: 9 Apr 92 23:13:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: usenet.1992Apr9.231312.25547
Reply-To: kmr4@po.CWRU.Edu (Keith M. Ryan)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)


In a previous article, champine@apollo.HP.COM (Mark Champine) says:


>
>I have a slightly different question along the same lines:  Can I put together
>a system from individual components that sounds better than a mini system, and
>for not much more money?
>
>I listened to a Panasonic mini system (SC-CH55) and it sounded suprisingly
>good for $500.   I wonder though, if I could do better spending :
>
>   Speakers $200
>   Reciever $200
>       CD   $120
>      Tape  $130
>   --------------
>            $650
>
>And get a better sounding system for slightly more money. 
>
>Questions:
>
>1.  Are my price ratios out of whack to maximize sound quality / dollar ?

it's up to you. i would forgot the tape deck and get a better CD player.
but, every one is different.

>2.  Which speakers & recievers are "best" in this price range?

at around the $200 level, i would chose Boston Acoustics HD-7's.
you may look into used equipement.

>3.  Has anyone put together a low-end component system that they are 
>    particularly pleased with ??

my very first "real" system

Denon DRA-25 reciever         $125   rated 30 watts/cont/ch  easily puts out
                                     45 watts cont/ 120 watt peak at local
                                     McIntosh clinics at acceptable noise. 

Sony  FX-160 tapedeck         $75  + $30 to have after factory calibration
                                     ( can greatly enhance the sound!)

Boston Acoustics A-40         $120/pr  6 1/2" + 3/4 " used as sattelittes

Miller & Kreisel V-3         ~$300 ( bought 5 months old ) 12", crossover and
                                     amp.

Old Dual 1212 + new cart     ~$200  

plus  

cables, interconnects         $100   hey, so I splurged!

homemade stands               $?     how much is my time worth? ;-)

Sounded great. The BA's really are smooth < when they are not reproducing
the low bass > and the M&K really is a superb sub < especially for the 
money! > The Dual was old < ? > but with a new cartrage < # slips my mind >,
it worked good. After getting the TD calibrated, it sounded just as good as
much more expensive over the counter tapedecks < let's face it, big companies
do not hand align every one! > The reciever is low powered, but with the
sub, it played at more than adaquate levels. To date, one of the best sounding
~$1000 systems I have ever heard. and i have never heard a minisystem that
could touch it for imaging and soundstage. 

about 3 years ago, i bought a Denon CD player, added Boston Acoustics A-70
speakers, and another sub < same type >

~1 1/2 years, I upgraded to used McIntosh Equipment. 

-- 
Look down, look down        How long, O lord,          Look down, look down,
You're here until you die   Before you let me die?     You're standing in your
The sun is strong           Look down, look down,      Grave!
It's hot as hell below      You'll always be a slave!  ||  Les Miserables  ||
From: kirk@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Kirk Lindstrom)
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1992 06:45:15 GMT
Subject: Speaking of Pipes
Organization: Shredding the water of SF Bay, HP-OCD