best CD audio setup <$1k?

[KiddyKong]

I'm trying to figure out the best setup for listening to music in a bedroom, $1k is a good ceiling for the price.

I did a little research but not much and I came up with some of this:

CD Player/Changer: ($200-$300)
1) Harman Kardon FL-8380
2) Denon DCM-370
3) ?

These are both 5 disc changers, around $200 "hot deals" price. There's also a Denon DCM-460, that is from 1995, and I really like some of the features on it. Would the DCM-370 from 2000+ sound better because it's newer? Also, I'd rather have a 25-50 CD changer but I can't find any reasonably high-end ones that aren't extremely expensive.

Receiver: ($200-$300)
1) Harman Kardon HK 3470 (100Wx2)
2) ?
3) ?

Bookshelf Speakers: ($200-$300)
1) Energy Loudspeakers C-2
2) Paradigm Mini Monitor
3) Mirage Loudspeakers FRx-Three

Amplified Subwoofer: ($250-$350)
1) Energy Loudspeakers ES-10
2) Mirage Loudspeakers FRx-S10
3) ?

 

[Mister T]

Receiver: Denon 1801
Speakers: Paradigm Mini Monitors
Sub: Paradigm PDR-10
CD-Player: Denon DCM-370

As you can see I am partial to denon/paradigm

If you really want to up the scale, replace the Minis w/ studio 20's from the reference line

 

[vi edit]

"Best" and audio is too damn subjective. I'm partial to B&W speakers and Yamaha amps and CD players myself. But the only way to make a decision is to head down to your local hi-fi dealer and lend the equipment they have on hand your ears.

Speakers sound far too different to really make significant suggestion.

 

[KiddyKong]

thanks mistert,

i lot of people like the paradigm but aren't the speakers themselves a lot smaller than the Energys or Mirage? Are they going to lack midbass?

I don't like how my computer speakers (Diamond Audio) have great highs, good bass, but no midrange


edit: mistert, the Denon 1801 is a Dolby Digital & DTS A/V Receiver ...i don't need this. I just need the Stereo AM/FM (maybe) and to power the 2 bookshelves and connect to the subwoofer.

 

[Mister T]

I have not personally listened to the Minis... On Monday I auditioned the Studio 60's and studio 20's.
They were hooked up to a mackie 90wpc amp at the store. Both speakers were wonderfully balanced. They were super clean... the only thing I noticed was little low end punch. Then again thats what a nice powered sub is for.

When I listened to the Studio 60's, I was switching back and forth with a pair of energy's (don't remeber the exact model, but price wise was in the same league, tower) and in my opinion there was a noticable difference. The clarity and crisp response that the paradigms had blew away the energys. However, I must admit, the energy's were nice as well.

 

[vi edit]

Smaller speaker size doesn't necessarily equate to "smaller sound".

I've got a set of Wharfedale speakers with a 6" "woofer" that I'll put up against just about any 8" speaker for bass and mid range.

Also, a high quality velodyne or paradigm 8" sub will far outperform your Best Buy/Circuit City quality 15" Cerwin Vega sub.

 

[KiddyKong]

well i'm asking about the midrange from smaller speakers...i know i will have a lot of bass with the subwoofer, and the speakers will have good highs, but since the speakers are small how will they handle midrange?

 

[Mister T]

<<edit: mistert, the Denon 1801 is a Dolby Digital & DTS A/V Receiver ...i don't need this. I just need the Stereo AM/FM (maybe) and to power the 2 bookshelves and connect to the subwoofer. >>

True. You can get the 1801 for 300 bucks though... thats a steal. The 1801 is jam packed with features that cost next to nothing when compared a stereo receiver of similar quality. And it offer you the flexibilty to add speakers and use it dual purpose for a home theatre in the future. Honestly, how much money do you think you can save by just getting a pure stereo w/ similar quality?

<<well i'm asking about the midrange from smaller speakers...i know i will have a lot of bass with the subwoofer, and the speakers will have good highs, but since the speakers are small how will they handle midrange? >>

I wish I could tell you, but I have never listened to the mini's... The studio 20's which I beleive share the same size midrange driver, have excellent midrange response.... I dont know if thats a fair comparison give that the 20's cost 2X what the minis run.

 

[KiddyKong]

mistert,

that brings up my question from before. the 1801 is a discontinued model (dunno how old is it). is it ok to buy older equipment for the receiver and CD player? like that 1995 Denon CD player I mentioned...

 

[Mister T]

<< mistert,

that brings up my question from before. the 1801 is a discontinued model (dunno how old is it). is it ok to buy older equipment for the receiver and CD player? like that 1995 Denon CD player I mentioned... >>



I don't see why not. The models are solid. Assuming you buy from an authorize dealer, you will get full warranty too. Use an Amex Blue card and that will add another year to the warranty as well!

BTW, check out www.audioreview.com, its a very valuable source for info on this kind of stuff.

 

[vi edit]

If you don't plan on using it for Home theatre to hook up to a DVD player, then there really isn't much reason to buy the latest and greatest if you can get a high quality, used reciever at a great price.

Receivers aren't really like cars or computers IMHO. They really don't outdate themselves very quickly. If you aren't looking for DTS or Dolby Digital then there really aren't any major advancements that you'll be missing out on when buying a 7 year old receiver.

The only real problem you'll have to worry about it is crapping out on you, and if it hasn't died at this point, then there's a pretty good chance it'll provide you with many years of quality listening.

 

[erikiksaz]

I would think that at a price under 1k, a headphone setup would be best.

 

[KiddyKong]

headphones = Grado SR-80, which i'll also get

 

[KiddyKong]

up any other opinions?

 

[GasX]

Most surround sound receivers can play in stereo just fine. I would recommend getting an Outlaw Audio 1050 for $499 (~$350 used if you can find one). If you don't want to spend that much, get an Onkyo 494. Get a decent DVD player - which will play CDs for $100 to $200. Then buy two very good speakers that have an available matching center channel. That way you can transition this system to an HT set up when you are ready for it. The mirages you mentioned are part of a HT line and would be good for that approach. I would also look at Paradigm, PSB and B&W depending on what your local dealers carry. You could also check out hometheaterdirectTheir level II's would be a good budget minded starting place.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[KiddyKong]

i don't think i'll be getting a DVD player...it probably wouldn't play CDs as well as a player just for CDs. I'm looking for a setup for audio CDs, ONLY.

 

[GasX]

Actually it would not be a bad way to go, but if you want a changer in the $200 range you probably want one dedicated to CDs.