[AmanGeorge]

Based on what I've heard, my best budget system purely for music enjoyment would be speaker-based - I would do a cheap and well-regarded USB DAC (like a Nuforce uDAC or an emu-0202/0404) paired with the Audioengine A2 speakers. Awesome sound, ~$300 new.

 

[jp_zer0]

I nominate my own current setup

 

[GuyDebord]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawang /img/forum/go_quote.gif -Laptop/PC $0 (if you can read this, you probably have one already) -Foobar2000 with enabled 24/192 output, crossfeed, advance limiter, and optional upsampler $0 (free download) -EMU0202 USB $100 -RadioShack cables $10 -KOSS ESP950 system $600 About $700 for a complete, 24/192 electrostatic system. -----

X2 on this except for the RadioShack cables, I would actually try to get at least some synergistic research HDAV's or entry level Audioquest's both around $70.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Stax 2020 or 2050, used - $350-400. That will royally pwn any dynamic rig under $1000 imo. And easily chase more expensive ones. But then I'm a stat man.

X2 on this as well!
Nothing more to add

 

[D_Strasse]

^And I was thinking $10 for cables was too much, LOL.

 

[Headphony]

Foobar -> Hotaudio Hotusb1 -> Philips SHP2700 (sub 100 EUR total, not including the PC)

 

[Redcarmoose]

Even if I have only been a Head-fi member for a little over one year, my experience has been with computer audio. A Sound Blaster, then Emu.

My buget system is an over compensation of all I hate about computer audio. Namely thin analysis of the authority that should have been there.
My dream buget set-up I own now. It uses no RCAs to degrade the sound. The place it takes you is pure rock. Yes all the loudness and thickness you could ever want. Just pure authority of sound here.

Starts with Denon AH-D 7000 purchased used $450.00, next a Nuforce Headphone Amp. The Icon just hooks up to a computer with a USB. Rip your files to Apple Lossless and you are ready to go. Simple. These things are ready available on the used market at the prices I have quoted. Total after $280.00 for used Icon by Nuforce.....$730.00 usd. Done.

 

[chinesekiwi]

For electronic music & metal fans:

Musiland 02 USB DAC --> Ultrasone PRO750 = $400.

The Musiland 02 USB DAC beats an opamp-upgraded Asus STX, which in turn beats the Zero DAC, and is (opamp upgraded) better than Emu 0404. People have compared it versus the Cambridge 640c, which is many times it's price.

the Ultrasone PRO750 is a steal at $250 on Ebay tbh. the second best mass produced Ultrasone headphone at that sort of price, when it usually goes for $390....

Portable:

Sansa Fuze / Clip / Clip+ (GB range = your choice) --> Koss KSC-75.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Used Sennheiser HD-600: about $200.

Used and/or vintage receiver: $20-$50, maybe free.

Used turntable with new Grado Black cart: around $100.

Used Sony SCD-CE595 SACD player: around $60.

DIY outdoor antenna for tuner's radio section: maybe $5.

A pair of Fostex singledrivers in MDF cabinets, including Bondo and spraypaint: $150 if you're careful.

I'd also add a used isolation transformer for $20 to clean things up.

$600 or so will get you pretty far into the audiophile realm. This setup might smoke some of the Snake Oil Deluxe rigs out there, as well.

 

[paaj]

If a PC/MAC is a 'free' source, 0404USB + SR325is is another very fine starter combo.

 

[Philimon]

My rigs (these do not include DAP or laptop):

---------
Home:

Nuforce uDac -> vintage receiver (used) -> srd7mkii (used) -> Stax Nova Basic (used)

Approx. Total Cost : $450

----------
Portable 1:

PPAS -> PK1

----------
Portable 2:

PX100

 

[mow_the_hawk]

home:
Computer(lossless files) -> emu 0404usb -> HD580
~$300 if you have a computer and lossless files

Portable:
PMP(lossless files) -> cmoy -> PX100
~$70 if you have the pmp

 

[boomana]

Okay I already posted my true budget rig choices (under $200), but if we're looking at high-end for a budget price, I think the JH13s for $1100 plus a dap with lossless files can outdo most, if not all rigs, in that price range for sound quality and quite a few above that price range....and you can take them with you wherever you go. They improve with an amp, but still sound great without one.

 

[roker]

besides the usual DAP + headphone packages

Using my current setup as a model, this is how I would recommend it to people:

1.Little Dot I+ (150 new or 100 or so used)
2.Tubes and Opamp upgrade (30 bucks or so depending on tubes)
3.Keces 151 (200 - 230 used)
4.Denon D2000 (200 - 230 new)
5.JMoney Pads (65 new)


You may need a laptop or desktop, that can range anywhere from 300 or more, depending on what you're looking for. But omitting that from the final equation gives us:

About 600 bucks for a very satisfying system, not bad I says!

 

[DayoftheGreek]

I have been slowly building my budget system for 2ish years. So far this is what I have and what I am shooting for:

Laptop
uDac (don't own it yet) = $100
EF2 $169
SR80 $90

Totals about $400 with shipping and not including the laptop, and would total only about $500 if you replace the SR80 with SR225 or any other pair of phones in the price range. A little more and you could get some new tubes to tweak the sound as you like. It is also a very small and lightweight setup that makes it easy to travel with or store in my small room at college.

 

[Emooze]

I'm going to go with the planar guys and say:

iPod (old model had it for years) $0
POS mini to XLR cable from wal-mart $5
Cavalli Audio eXStatA < $300 in parts, no case
Stax Lambda Nova Classic, used $215

Everything I've heard up until now just can't compare for sound and price.