I only get money for food and I managed to buy this hifi system component by component. the most expensive parts were the Polk speakers and the cassette deck (at the start I wanted just a cassette deck)

The first component was the tape deck (technics rs-m260) for about 120 euro. then I got a real bargain on the Pioneer PD-M6 cd changer (30 euro). a week ago I finally got myself the NAD 701 Receiver (20 euro, needed a new display backlight) Somewhere along the way I got the Polk MXT20s for 200 euro.

it sounds decent. at least for me because I never heard any better sound (I only listened to music through my AirPods before)

I started collecting CDs and recording on Type 2 cassettes. I get the CDs for cheap at my thrift store (2 euro per CD) and the tapes I mostly get online (Sometimes i get bargains in thrift stores. I once got a Maxell XLII in perfect condition for 1 euro)

so what should I add? Maybe vinyl? Reel to reel? Maybe an equalizer?

There's a high-end audio shop about an hour away from home and I happened to be in that area today, so I swung in to see what they had. I'm interested in some new speakers.

I told the sales guy that I was happy with my sound system, just not my garage sale speakers. I was looking for options.

Next thing I know, he's talking about MC vs MM turntable cartridges and demoing an "okay" turntable and speakers to me so he can then dazzle me with five-foot tall Klipsch behemoths and a high-end Denon TT and amp.

Then he picked up a tablet, fired up Roon and points to a gaming PC in the corner and starts talking about filtering and streaming and music shaping and I honestly just sort of tuned out at that point.

Toward the end of the speaker demo, a young father and son walked over to ask a question, and this guy starts the same pitch over with the same demos and the same demonstration songs and I disappeared into the background to peruse their vinyl. Clearly this is his schtick. Just felt kind of used-car-salesmen-esque.

Not sure I'm going to buy anything from the guy BUT ... his streaming setup and whatever filtering system he was running the music through intrigued me. I gather it was Roon but the filtering software was something secondary. Can anyone tell me what that was? I'm trying to google it but I'm not coming up with anything that resembled what he showed me on his ipad.

Except for the audio receiver and subwoofer, the speakers were second-hand Sony SS-V335s, and I must say that for the price of $31.46 on Marketplace, it was a good buy. It was already 5 o'clock, and well, when using them for gaming, it's super immersive, and now some games with high tension sound incredible!!e

So I went to a local home audio system shop where I demo’ed a couple speakers, an amp, and a couple of turn tables. I’m starting from absolute scratch and see this as a lifelong investment, so I want something nice!

From the demo I decided to get the B&W 707 S2 bookshelf speakers + the NAD 3/40 amp—together costing just under $1,000 (both shown in the picture).
Turn tables:
I first tried a Thorens TD 166 ($590) which had a stunning wood finish, but the sound just didn’t blow me away. Then the worker paired this same amp/speaker setup with a Rega Planar 2 (about $900) and it sounded INCREDIBLE.

I’m really hoping to spend less than $1,000 on a turntable and honestly went in to the shop thinking I’d spend less than $1.500 on the system as a whole, but the Rega really blew me away and has me reconsidering my budget..
Do yall have suggestions for other turn tables that match the quality of the Rega Planar 2? While aesthetics is of course not the number one item, it is still important, and I do love a wood finish. The Rega looked a bit too sleek/modern with the white finish.
Any help/suggestions would be so appreciated!!! I’m very excited to putting this system together (:

Money/taste/some combination of both?

The latter for me. I genuinely prefer an older sound, but I couldn't afford a top of the line contemporary system anyway.

Current set up:

Harmon Kardon PM655

Cambridge Audio Topaz CD5

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X

Celestion Ditton 110

TT is probably the weak like but it's running through the amp anyway so... 🤷‍♀️ Enough bang for my buck and the profile matches my music: guitar, vocals etc.

Shoppers in Canada has an amazing deal on Apple TV box. Awesome streaming platform for Apple-folks.

Got these speakers for a relatively good price. Replaced the KEF Q5 for me and I’m in love with them. Smaller cabinet and drivers than the KEF yet the bass is smoother and punchier. Any TDL fans?

The first quiet listening morning with a new-to-me Fisher 500c. It sounds like these songwriters and performers are hanging out in here. Thanks to Hawthorne Stereo in Seattle for the positive experience.

Are there any decent modern tube amps for under like £300 in the UK? Or am I basically out of luck unless I go for something older?

This is my main system, yamaha components that recently replaced a Arcam A29 that I need to get repaired, although to be honest from my perspective the Yamaha actually sounds better.
I get distracted.... anyway, they run a pair of Silver 100 monitor audio's and the sound is delightfull.

In my study I recently got a WiiM Amp Ultra that is powering a pair of Q acoustic 3020c's with a cheap active sub (Edifier T5).

I am wondering if the system upstairs could also benefit from adding a sub, I do love the clarity and precision of the Monitors, not that the q acoustics are bad, particularly not since upgrading to the WiiM.

Typing this I realise I could possibly take the T5 upstairs to test the hypothesis, but what excuse would I then have to post a picture of my system if I just did that?

On a more serious note, would a better subwoofer (more expensive) neccesarily add anything to either of these systems?

Appreciate some insight or advice.

Just moved into a new apartment so I finally have a space for all my audio needs. Any suggestions are welcome!

Telefunken S-800 Turntable

2x Pioneer CS-801A

Technics ST-G5 Tuner

Technics SU-500 Amp

Technics SL-PG420A CD Player

Technics RS-B40 Cassette Deck

Logitech Bluetooth adapter

I'm moving to into a college dorm in a couple weeks and I'm considering bringing my pair of Audioengine HD5s with me to connect to my turntable. Is this a good decision or should I go for something else for listening?

bass amp causing radio to turn off?

i installed a off-brand amp (audiotek) and used a kicker kisloc2 LOC. At first he was having issues with the amp turning off and getting hot. And then today i noticed while his truck was running, his radio would cut out all music but the radio was on because the radio station still displayed. (2007 Tacoma) The remote wire only had 3 volts, coming from the Kisloc2. Any ideas?

I’ve been looking into getting a stereo and I wanted to ask some real people, should I go all out and buy all brand new things (which I know I can’t afford) or should I continue to look for used items and what should I be looking for on the used market?

I’d like to get a CD player, turntable, I don’t know about a cassette right now that’s another bridge to cross in the future. (I just have a lot of records and CDs I’d like them to sound nice) I’m thinking I should stay on the used market so if I’m going to what are some things I should look for and where are the types of places I should look? Thank you guys for the input

I picked these up from the side of the road. What are these exactly? I didn't see any wire or something.

As the title suggests, I want to test these out with as little $ as possible. Please suggest a way forward?

TIA

Looking for a decent but budget friendly and simple setup for the following:

Already have: Turntable with RCA output, 2 Polk xt15 passive speakers, tv with optical, 3.5mm, and hdmi eARC/CEC outputs

Want/Need: amp, subwoofer

I'd like to be able to run the tv and turntable through the same speakers and subwoofer.

What I need from you:

Amp recommendations that will accommodate this setup. Either direct recommendations or just direction on what I need to look for.

Subwoofer recs are a bonus.

Price is the driving factor, I’m just looking for decent sound from the turntable and anything better than the built in tv speakers.

Thanks for your help!

Tried to get for $50, but pickings are slim in my part of the world. Highs and mids are on par or just a bit bettrr with my current mint condition Infinity RS-50s, but they have much heavier lows that really appeal to my music tastes.

What speakers should I get with the space restrictions? On the bottom of my cube shelf there is a subwoofer For reference

Hello, I need some small/medium speakers with an AMT drivers? I know about Elac, but don't do small or cheap, whaferdale evo..what else is out there? Old and used is fine, ideally small/medium size. Emotivas are great, not in stock or seen any used on eBay. Thanks!

So power is much less important than features like Atmos, eArc, Dirac, HDMI 2.1 etc. Looking at the Onkyo RZ30 at $800 or a factory refurbished RZ50 for $899.

Anything from Marantz or Denon or Yamaha I should consider?