[450]

My dad is shopping for a small stereo for his bedroom. He likes things that are sleek (NOT JVC sleek, B&O sleek). The stereo must meet the following criteria.

-must be around $200 USD (preferably under)
-have CD playback (multi-disc capabilities prefered)
-remote
-be available in local stores (we dont have a "fry's" nearby)
-produce "good" sound
-relatively small

Thanks

 

[bln]

You've ruled out any possibility of actual hi-fi gear. For $200 at a Circuit City or Sears or whatever, you can pick up a Sony mini-system, but I doubt there's a good-sounding solution.

 

[stet]

I asked this question a few weeks back and got a few suggestions (you could search in the dedicated sources forum

). The Onkyo CS-210 sounds about right. Stereophile magazine even gave it props. I actually just ordered one today, blindly, but I won't be in that apartment for a few weeks, so I can't really say anything about it except that I'm in the same situation, and I couldn't find anything else in that price range that got anything near a reliable review.

 

[enzoferrari650]

yeah but he also need speakers which is the big problem. you could probly buy the infinity primus 160's from ebay for around 150 and then if you have a receiver or amp you could use that or just get a vintage marantz or something off ebay.

 

[ooheadsoo]

The onkyo comes with speakers.

 

[enzoferrari650]

oh, interesting. well do you think it would beat the quality of the primus 160's?

 

[ooheadsoo]

heck no! But he's got $200. You're not going to get much for a complete system at $200.

 

[enzoferrari650]

well what i suggested would work. The infinity's for 150 off ebay and a vintage marantz integrated for 50 bucks off ebay if he gets lucky. Vintage marantz are just such a good deal.

 

[ooheadsoo]

He wants B&O style (sleek and modern) and he needs a source too. The works.

 

[enzoferrari650]

i think he's just asking for too much from 200 dollars. 200 dollars in this world is like pocketchange.

 

[stet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzoferrari650 i think he's just asking for too much from 200 dollars. 200 dollars in this world is like pocketchange.

True that. I worked for a couple years in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and even going to the Central Market there to pick up electronics/audio goods, you really got similar deals to the stuff in bootleg DVD and back-of-the-truck-sale shops in Philadelphia. The only way you really made out was a way better bootleg market, and the occassional jewels in the used markets.

 

[450]

I'm sorry.. I didn't know how much to spend..

What should my price be?

Lets include online sources too...

 

[ooheadsoo]

At this price, if you don't consider online sources...

If you threw in an additional $100, you could probably make it out of here with a Denon mini system. For another $100 you could probably get a Denon mini system with Mission speakers. People around here like them, though I haven't heard them. You kinda have to keep in mind that this is all really pocket change for speakers if you want to stick with minisystems that look ok. JVC has their new wood cone executive system that looks very unique and pretty classy, which runs for $500 at a retail shop but would probably be much less online. I heard it and it sounds ok except I would probably take the treble down a notch with the built in tone controls.

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...b=wf&scoring=p

$400. It looks pretty classy if you ask me. Not sleek, but classy. One thing that is deceptive about the pics is that the cabinet for the speakers is actually quite long, so it actually has some decent volume for those 3" drivers. Gives it some decent oomph. You can't tell that at all from the pictures.

Oh yeah, it plays mp3, dvds and dvd-audio too! It also has connections for a subwoofer and even a dac if you wanted.

 

[450]

Should I care about the wattage each speaker puts out?

I know it usually doesn't matter, but for this purpose...does it?

 

[mxs1030]

If you open up to online sources then you can get a pretty decent set up for $400..

$175 - Pioneer A-35R integrated amplifier
$140 - Audition AS-BS1 loudspeakers
$70? - toshiba 3950(60?)