This will Surprise You! My Favorite Expensive Hifi Gear!

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Recommended Streamer
WIIM Mini amzn.to/33CL99w
Bluesound Node shop-links.co/...
Recommended Speaker List
Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
Sony SSCS5 - Lively amzn.to/3pZNnGk
Neumi BS5 -Neutral amzn.to/3q0SR3B
Elac BS41 amzn.to/3SBmEgq
Around $200
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ - Crystal Clear and Punchy emotiva.com?aff=9
Jamo Concert howl.me/cf295u...
Elac Debut b5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/2WPNQxw
JBL Stage A130 - Neutral/Great All Arounder at $179 the best value amzn.to/3t7gOHe
Around $400
Emotiva B2+ emotiva.com?aff=9
Jamo C93ii Bit - Boosted on Top howl.me/cf295u...
Q Acoustics 3030i - Neutral with Punch - amzn.to/2OQkpLo
Around $500
SVS Prime bit.ly/2LozJgF
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 bit.ly/2ZckoD9
Wharfedale Denton 80th amzn.to/3Sv8RIq
Around $600
Elac Uni-Fi UB5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/3s3srPG
Elac Debut Reference - Buttery but Detailed amzn.to/39bt6WC
Polk Reserve R100/200 howl.me/cf29Ue...
Aperion Novus - Neutral and probably the best desktop speaker one can get $599 bit.ly/2Q1H9rW
Aperion Novus Open Box $449 bit.ly/3us8zGx
Wharfedale Diamonds Lush and Detailed amzn.to/3aBAso0 Come as singles
Recommended Amp List
Under $100
Aiyima A07 - Neutral and Full amzn.to/3g9YLNf
Fosi Audio V3 - Extremely Clean - Audiophile Sound (Best Amp under $250) amzn.to/3rhrpDL
Fosi Audio TB10D amzn.to/43cJtwh
Fosi Audio BT20a Pro amzn.to/3r8pgdH
Around $130
Aiyima T9 amzn.to/3F8eOb6
Around $250
SMSL DA-9 Balanced Amp amzn.to/34SdbLs
Around $400
Emotiva TA1 - DAC, Phono Stage, Pre Outs - Balanced and Tasty emotiva.com?aff=9
Recommended DACs
Geshelli Labs J2 geshelli.com/p...
SMSL SU8s amzn.to/2SWTGiw
Denafrips Ares 2 www.denafrips....
Subs
Emotiva SE8 emotiva.com?aff=9
Emotiva SE12 emotiva.com?aff=9
SVS SB1000 Pro bit.ly/3scmwsc

[@thornwithin6195]

Appreciate the equipment you review. I find the price reasonable for most of the items you talked about!

[@haydendoan7691]

Yes, the equipment list was a bit on the pricey side but I didn't think Randy went off anywhere near the deep end. If anything, I thought they represented great value points of what you can get for your hard earned money. These equipment last a long time and if you enjoy them everyday, the cost would be totally worth it. To me, what's expensive, for example, is a full-house generator that sits there for most of the years and would only be used a few times. Cheers!

[@pseudoscientist8010]

Nvidia makes thee best GOUs in the world, releasing better every two years, and they are lowering prices. Audio has the high end watch virus, thinking their stuff is great! All BS! And over priced.

[@ahuesphoto]

I enjoy your videos, keep up the good work!! My systems grow / evolve over time… The following is supposed to be a future iteration of my office system: Polk's R200 or Elac's Debut 3 bookshelves + SVS SB-1000 Non-pro subwoofer + Emotiva BasX A2 amplifier + Schiit (soon to be released) Valhalla 3 working as preamp / headphone amp + Geshelli J2S DAC + WiiM Pro Plus streamer & Sony X700M Blu-ray player. Building whole systems and finding synergy between components is fun! I also enjoy listening to the first 20-40 hours of each component and noticing the little steps as they “open-up” when brand new; those changes are not drastic or anything but they are enjoyable…

[@ethimself5064]

Being a Boomer of nostalgia a couple come to mind - The 1st digital receiver imported into N. America/Model forgotten. 130 clean WPC with huge heat sinks and the ESS AMT 3b Monitor Towers - In the US apparently called the Rock Monitors. The Heil Air Motion Transformer was spectacular and I found out lately it went down to 800Hz, Two 12 inch woofers - 1 active and the other passive. They had bridging for Bi Amping and a rotary knob at the back that would roll off the top end at 18db per notch I believe, frequency unknown - tried playing with a couple of time and gave up as the factory setup was just fine. The bass rolled off at 30Hz +/- 3 db and the shipping weight was 103 lbs each. One more I guess - A kenwood synthetic marble base(glass and resin) that came in at 35 lbs. Of special note it had commercial grade dampening feet/pads - no such thing as any rumble or feed back no matter how loud things got as in cracking a picture to the tune of 6 feet and we/wifey and I could watch a fair size solid oak coffee table move across the living room. Nothing else special cept the HPM 100's I had before this system. Although I have heard some really nice speakers at audio retailer's sound rooms. I almost bought a digital time delay with the Pioneer system, but glad not - very expensive and 2 more HPM 100's😱. Although the sound was very spatial and literally 3D.

[@francescotenti193]

Randy, being born not too far from here the Unico Primo amp is built you're killing me with your pronunciation! Great video!

[@kevinbehnke7149]

Moving up to the JBL HDI 1600 this week from the Wharfedale Diamond 225. Should be a big upgrade..excited!

[@ufarkingicehole]

Will be more open/transparent on the top end

[@PCRoss2469]

What I have, and I'm happy with. pre-amp - Vincent SV236 (integrated but only used as a pre); Power Amp - Musical Fidelity KW750; Turntable Rega Planar 3; Speakers B&W 802D2 ; DAC Chord Chordette - Everything purchased 2nd hand except the T/T

[@ethimself5064]

Just got a Notification that appears to be ironic - Legendary Montreal music hall ordered to stop making noise neighbours can hear🤣

[@thomasalexand]

Woke neighbours?

[@ethimself5064]

@@thomasalexand Oh ya and more. What it showed was some kind of head banging band - just a banging away. Search for this/CBC - Type it in the search bar

[@ginom407]

We all have our End Game gear list. Yours is more reasonable than mine when it comes to speakers. I'm in love with the Open Baffles I heard at Capital Audio Fest. But for now I love the speakers I have. Great video Randy!!!👍👍👍

[@Kappafied]

I have run a fair few speakers, from PMC to Monitor to Klipsch… but the ones I want most all, for how I listen now… Zu Soul 6. I don’t listen “critically” to music, I don’t need to see in my mind how many inches from the singer the cellist was sitting during recording; I want to have fun.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Great work Randy. Highly entertaining and educational and making me realize how little I know 🤦‍♂️😂

[@johngutmanis3580]

Hi Randy, I am a cheap minded Audiophile, I love your reviews! I hear you when it comes to meters! I own a McIntosh c50 preamp and a stupid heavy McIntosh mc352 power amp. I also own a carver crimson 275 tube amp and a pair of class D monoblocks. In all honesty I could live with any of the amps, they all sound great! The main reason I don’t sell the 352 for more than I paid for it is the stupid blue meters that look so cool, and the McIntosh vibe. I own 1980’s Klipsch La Scala’s with Crites crossovers and I also own Klipsch Heresy IV’s which I thought were going to be my final speakers until I scored the La Scala’s, the first speaker I bought five years ago, at a garage sale for 500 bucks and then I recently scored a second one for about 600 bucks. I was going to sell them for a profit, but after I listen to them, I was hooked. With old NHT subs, I marvel at the imaging and clarity and being there performance they give. I use the Heresy’s in the living room for TV duty hooked to an NAD C700, they sound great with a pair of REL Tzero subs. I put up with the 110 pound mc352 only because it looks so dam good!

[@JohnScheppler]

Great information on the best items you have reviewed. Wish you would have covered some near field gear, but maybe next video.

[@winstonmcgill6667]

I love the ZU Dw6's. Sound fantastic and not crazy expensive

[@EvanCasteel-th2qs]

I completely agree. I’d like to see Randy review these.

[@ungarlinski7965]

I love this vid. You turned me on to the Advance Paris A10. But I'm not in love with the digital text it displays. O/w, it's perfect. Now I am going to take a long hard look at the Unico Prime. You also turned me on to the Michell and the Pro-Ject S2 phono pre-amp. Incredible. Thank you! Speakers. I love the Andrew Jones floor-standing Pioneers as my "cheap" speakers. Expense no object, then the Mo-Fi SourcePoint 888's. Or the if-I'm-a-millionaire Klipsch La Scalas.

[@Sparklepony]

I want that Advance Paris, too.

[@johngutmanis3580]

I have 1980’s La Scala’s that I got cheap,installed Crites crossovers, honestly with subs I think I would have to spend 20,000 or more to get a better sounding speaker. Don’t think you have to buy a brand new Lascala to get 90 to 95% of the performance he’ll get with a 1980s version for cheap.

[@BillDouglass-m9d]

Remember this is a hobby! Quit judging Randy just because you can't afford things that are not cheap. 😊

[@AndrewB23]

This comment screams out of touch elitist, his channel is literally called the cheap audio man there are plenty of cheap gear he could review but he doesn't want to because he gets free hifi now

[@ufarkingicehole]

​@AndrewB23 have you ever watched this channel before?

[@jukingeo]

I don't judge him personally. I think he is a great guy and he does a good job at reviewing. I also don't have a problem with him reviewing expensive gear, it just doesn't belong on the same channel where he reviews hi-fi gear that the average working Joe can afford. Not everyone is hemoraging cash out the anus, I am certainly not among those. Also, guys that review multi-thousand dollar items are a dime a dozen here on YT and it is hard to find a good fellow that is straight up and does a fair review on AFFORDABLE gear. So naturally it is upsetting that he is (lately) shifting his attention towards the expensive crap and posting it along with the affordable stuff.

[@BillDouglass-m9d]

Ive been watching Randy since he started, love his honesty and humor! I also follow Jay's Audio Lab even tho I can't afford his level of equipment. Remember it's a hobby😊

[@misterzero8667]

All the cheap stuff is the same ,it's been done to death ,just buy topping fosi and Winn and move on

[@johncallaghan3097]

To those few cynics out there, I'd support Randy's occasional forays into slightly more expensive audio gear. Why? Because if he didn't make them -- and instead only reviewed/owned cheaper stuff -- how would he be able to speak reasonably about relative quality? Speaking for myself, I'd feel less inclined to trust his judgement if all he listened to was cheap as chips. Which is why I listen more these days to his videos. If you really listen, behind all the jollity, there's quite often some genuinely useful insight that you may not be able to get elsewhere. Just my tuppence worth, folks.

[@vwr32jeep]

There’s a point where influencers move from honest, struggling content creators to salesmen for the products they “review”. It’s tried and true progression into higher success on KZbin… but it comes at the cost of a real review. Randy’s videos are great to hear about the function and price of gear. Beyond that, the “reviews” seem to gravitate towards pleasing the manufacturers so they keep sending products. The real reviews happen in the comment sections and forums.

[@johncallaghan3097]

@@vwr32jeep Agreed, but not quite sure where you'd position Randy. IMHO, he's prepared more often than most to give a negative review regardless of the price ranges he deals with. It's another reason I'd say to place a degree of trust in his judgements. And one can always triangulate against reviews by others of the same gear, of course.

[@vwr32jeep]

@@johncallaghan3097 He’s caught quite a bit of heat for relentless clickbait video titles and hyperbole in his reviews. Each “giant killer” turns out to be slight upgrades to whatever new product is being released. The “negative” comments are usually more like wishlists for what he already calls awesome. But it’s his channel and he can do as he pleases. I’ve listened to him (and others by the way), lead me towards EPIC gear, only to be fairly disappointed in mediocrity. Let’s look at reality… he heralds low cost gear as ground breaking, industry changing, giant-killing products all the time. But we both know what he has for his personal setup. Honesty doesn’t bring sponsorships or review products from Fosi, Aiyama, Douk, etc. The B roll. The royalty free music. The gushing reviews for mediocre products. It’s like some successful influencer put out a how-to-be-like-me manual that every KZbin influencer adheres to. I liked it at first, but it’s a bit monotonous. By all means, if being influenced is your thing then you should watch it. But follow it up with some real reviews from ppl who spent their hard earned money on the product.

[@johncallaghan3097]

@@vwr32jeep Being influenced isn't my thing, specially with Randy's channel because some of my gear tends to be off the beaten track, including homebuilt open baffle speakers -- in total my main system is equivalent to around £8K (c $10.5K). I don't listen to be "influenced", but just out of interest and for comparison with other reviewers. And to be entertained, of course. I think you're a little too hard on him. As KZbin reviewers go, IMHO he's doing a reasonably competent job and his listeners aren't all mindless drones, but can exercise discrimination. Arguably there are technically better reviewers like A British Audiophile, New Record Day, SoundNews and so on, but I can't help liking Randy's channel despite what he HAS to do to earn a living. IOW, I'm inclined to give him a break.

[@vwr32jeep]

@@johncallaghan3097 You say you’re not into being influenced, but then list other channels that are technically better. What would it look like if you were into being influenced? lol. I admit I might be being harsh though. I’m not like you with a five figure stereo set up. The bulk of my equipment comes from Good Will. If I come here looking for an honest review and then make purchases based him overhyping mediocrity… I feel there’s at least some justification for me (or anyone) having my same position. No? I guess when you don’t have money to throw away on misleading “reviews”, it leaves a bitter taste for the source of that information. And ppl looking for advice from the CheapAudioMan might need that information to be a bit more honest.

[@peterbaugh51]

Thank you for revealing your honest choice of speakers! I am not one to pay for jewelry on my speakers. I want my speakers to look decent and sound fantastic. And I know personally that I can spend 10 times more on speakers and not get a better sound. But they would be pretty and flashy and look good in a little black dress when taken out to dinner to impress my friends... NOT 😊. Thanks for the video.

[@rodzilla47]

My current system - Topping Pre90 pre-amp; Buckeye 2 ch Purifi 1ET400A power amp; Lounge LCR MKIII phono pre-amp; Merason Frerot DAC/pow1 power supply; E.A.T. B Sharp turntable; Teac PD-505T CD transport. My current speakers are the Arendal 1961 towers. I plan to upgrade speakers in the next year to something around $3K. At 77 and retired, there won't be much more upgrading. I'm very happy with what I put together!

[@EvanCasteel-th2qs]

@@rodzilla47 Sounds like a great system!

[@rickbrookes9491]

I was under the impression that the amp you “live with” on an everyday basis was the Advance Paris A10.

[@gregsoucie]

Love my KEF R3 metas. But really enjoyed your recommend other gear.

[@Rockruio]

KEF is the way to go for great directivity and low distortion, hard to beat those R3.

[@ptpoul]

My dream system, in my small room: Gallo Acoustics strada speakersin a 5.1 setup, powered by a Lyngdorf mp40 and play around with different amp options. Subs would be 4 lyngdorf BW-3 boundary woofers. Back corners would have custom bass traps. Acoustic curtains on pne side and slat acoustic wall on the other side plus diffusion on the back wall.

[@gamelovers11223]

I love this channel and have been following it almost from day one. But I have to say: Randy, you have so much more to experience, especially in Hi End. Well, my cost no object products are as follows: Speakers: Legacy Audio Aeris Power Amp: two McIntosh 1200 watt monoblocks Preamp: McIntosh C53 DAC: PLAYBACK DESIGNS MPD-8 CD transport: many options, Rotel RCD-1572 mk2 is just one of them Turntable: Technics SL-1210G

[@colmandonnelly1550]

Hi there Nice selection of kit. Before my favourites, the Audiolab CD Transports are excellent options at 3 prices, I have the 6000 in my bedroom system. My main system is a hybrid AV/Stereo system based around a Marantz processor AV8802A. But the pieces I'll never replace.....Michelle GyroSE with TecnoArm, Koetsu, Benz Micro & Denon cartridges, through a Whest Audio phono stage ( a small British company), PS Audio M700 power amps to Wilson Benesch ACT One speakers (second hand) supplemented by a REL S510 & Aperion AMT super tweeters.

[@terryhu57]

I’m in process of building my perfect system. I’m just now raising money for my power amp but I’m using a class d until then. I have the denon 900ne CD player. The Vincent SV 500 integrated amp using the preamp to go to a VTV 400 with spark op amps. The VTV will be replaced by the Vincent SP332 power amp. The Vincent equipment is much like the Unico being the first 20 watts are class A before A/B kicks in. High power with a tube buffer and VU meters. I’m using a Music Hall Stealth turntable with a ortofon blue cartridge. Again soon to go to black. Using the Vincent 500 phono stage. I have the REL T/5 subwoofer with Quad S-2 bookshelves.

[@filofilo8127]

Informative. Exposure pre/power , Project 2 xperience turntable with Ortofon Cadenza Blue MC through Project tube box ds phono amp. Vienna Acoustic Mozart SE speakers , Primare CD player. Have a look at this, will be relisting on the Australian stock exchange shortly. Audio Pixels Limited. May give you something to talk about in the future, interesting concept in speakers.

[@rickyoung436]

Canton Reference 7k speakers. Incredible full range sound, great looks & build quality, and state of the art cabinet construction. Finding them in the US is the challenge. They sound twice as large as their physical size with very high, distortion free spl.

[@givemethejob3293]

What is state of the art cabinet construction? Genuine question.

[@phatjbl]

Randy you can aim as cheap or expensive as you like. I like Unico too. There is not enough mention of the surprisingly good middle ground. Today you can buy heaps of good gear for $1500 and under . I'm a Yamaha and Rotel fan in the sensible category. For a bit more ide look at Adcom and Michi. In the top teir it would be Gryphon anything from their amps dacs to the speakers. Subs JL Fathom no question. Each to their own.

[@pnichols6500]

Really like my Parasound Hint 6 amp/preamp, Have the JC3+ as well and it's fantastic. Have an Ultradeck as well, but moved it to my 2nd system and upgraded to a VPI Signature 21 turntable with a Hana Umami Red cartridge on my main system. So I know your system sounds good!

[@WildManDanWMD]

Im saving this video to watch and critically appraise its value to both objectives. Can I find quality performance in my budget while still enjoying those out of reach toys in the sears catalog.

[@sylvio1980]

I’d like to hear your take on Harbeth speakers. Any chance you could grab a pair for review ?

[@stevezeidman7224]

Very entertaining, Randy.

[@iamnatis]

My current setup is probably my dream setup; Cambridge Audio CX stack (CXN v2, CXA81, CXC v2, and Alva TT with Sonus Faber Sonetto VIIIs, first generation.

[@claudiofrancisco9278]

Thank you for all the excellent info that you provide a fan of channel I really appreciate it, possible that you can create a video explaining how to connect that type of set up that you have

[@mehmetcamat4458]

my system consist of KEF R3 Meta Speakers powered by Hegel H190 amplifier and KEF KC62 Sub. My streamer is WiiM Pro and my DAC is a Gustard R26. The sound is 3D holographic and the imaging is pretty nice

[@ZZZ_ZZZ_ZZZ_ZZZ_ZZZ]

Isn't always about that last 10%? You can get the affordable, but how much does it creep into 92-95 percent perfect. I believe that any reviewer MUST have that extreme system to set the bar. Gotta say again that every single analog recording medium technology that I know of degrades with playback. Chasing that perfection is exhausting. I invest in music instead. Anything that sucks on my budget, gets in my way to acquire MORE music. I'm still of the opinion that you should get as high into that 90's percentile as you can, then buy or subscribe to more music. The MUSIC IS THE POINT. Get a hearing test, you can start to accept your limitations. Adjust your budget accordingly.

[@stevedeharde2712]

Thanks Randy! I always enjoy your take and taste in music. I had the Emotiva DR2. I liked it until I heard it compared to the Benchmark AHB2. I gave up up about 4 to 5 db in ultimate headroom, but I can always get another and bridge them. It was a startling difference. Much better low level detail and much better soundstage depth. I use a Kaya preamp.

[@luxlamf]

A friend just replaced his Focal Scala"s (wanted the Maestros but wouldn't fit down the hallway to his room) with the Radio TD3.8's..... They are something when he also added to his set up six REL Carbon Specials, and the tube ARC 160M Mk2’s,

[@ptpoul]

Only used stuff: Lyngdorf TDAI 1120 stresming amp with room correction and bass management, gallo strada speakers, xtz 12.17 edge amp and room treatment! Good room correction is amazing

[@reserva120]

There’s No Such as Used Audio hi fi Factory- so very stupid.

[@ptpoul]

@@reserva120 😅

[@whome8192]

Homemade E34L, 6 watt tube amp, Polk R700 speakers, any cd player, blue sound node, Geshelli lab Daisy dac, $300 Audio Technica turntable, Ear 384P phono preamp, and pair of 70 watt 10” subs from NHT vintage early 1990’s or any similar sub based on Peerless SLS woofers. Almost there. Just need the second sub and my system is done. I have the SVS 1000 Pro…sounds like a sub, does not blend with stereo for good audio…just bass for movies. Lately listening to Dub music with no subs, just 6 watts driving the Polks.

[@ghn01]

My Arendal 1723 Tower Speakers are awesome value at £3,100.

[@blinkingmanchannel]

I’m breathing easier now. Thanks very much for this one!

[@thomasdix8453]

Great stuff, Randy!

[@mikewebber3693]

love my Unico Primo, favorite amp I've ever owned

[@jim010109]

I'm pretty happy with my system, Parasound amp, Rotel Pre Amp, Geshelli Dac, and Wiim Pro Plus. So that just leaves speakers. I would have to narrow down to either the Klipsch Cornwalls, Linton Dovedales, the flag ship SVS speaker, sorry the name escapes me. KEF R11 meta's would be interesting as well. Great video.

[@HareDeLune]

Randy, I can tell you've never heard a Nakamichi cassette deck, because you don't own one. Seriously, there's a reason for their legendary status, and it doesn't matter that they haven't been made for forty years. Once you've heard one of those things, there's no going back. Speakers, for me, would have to be Gallo Strada's or Gallo a'Diva Ti's. For cost-no-object speakers that I've never actually heard? MBL Omnidirectional speakers (made in Germany).

[@geographyinaction7814]

I owned two, the Dragon, and the RX-505...both sounded amazing. Had a friend with a very nice TEAC as well.

[@HareDeLune]

@@geographyinaction7814 Those Dragons were no joke! Nice!

[@bengleason508]

Thanks Randy

[@theodorezurla496]

SVS ultra bookshelf allllll dayyyy 🔥🎶❤️

[@-syN]

surprised you didn't pick the prodigy1 for the nearfield, love those speakers!

[@ethimself5064]

Cost no object - Gota be good👍

[@jukingeo]

If your line of thinking with hi-end audio is that the more you pay, the better it is, then you definitely have much to learn. You DON'T always get what you pay for with hi-end audio and there are MANY companies that rob you of your hard earned cash. Be careful and do your research...always.

[@ethimself5064]

@@jukingeo I know that 100% and I made another comment, I am guessing that u did not read

[@ethimself5064]

@@jukingeo Forgot to mention that I know how Randy works also

[@jukingeo]

@@ethimself5064 If you are suggesting that I search for and read all of your comments here, then no, I didn't, I don't have the time for that.

[@ethimself5064]

@@jukingeo There are not many comments, you seem to have the time to complain

[@donfinnie3303]

I have the GoldenEar Triton 3. If cost were no object, I'd get the T66. Lots of reviews out there for those now. About $7000/pair.

[@joeythedime1838]

Unico Primo, add the optional phono card for $200. Great phono stage for the price.

[@tylerflores4761]

Surprised the Arendal thx s monitors didnt make the list, If i could choose, Id send my gloss black arendals back & get the gloss white ones, & go with a Yamaha rn-2000. With matching cd player. Or keep the gloss black and do eversolo dmp-a8 with 2 Emotiva XPA -hc1s With dual svs sb-3000 pros.

[@middleearthltd]

I think every component you picked is a good/great value If I were starting over today I would get two components and simplify my life But I am way past that Marantz M1 at $1k Pearl Acoustic Sibelius Speakers $6k Done

[@SeanMcSherryLancia]

Just wondering if anyone in the US use Tannoy speakers anymore? They where the go to speaker for studio monitors and sound amazing.

[@Pok-001]

Cheap may be a definitive amount for most. But Value is relative to price to performance and build quality. . If I had my dream system I would need my dream room first lol. End Game probably be jbl Everest powered by pass labs or Jeff Rowland. And front end = Playback Designs DAC.

[@BostonMike68]

My dac would be a denefrips Terminator

[@SuperMcgenius]

Yes, the Moon lacks soul. I have recommended Unico to many of my friends.

[@francoisleblanc5074]

I have an old Moon I-5 and I like it.

[@SuperMcgenius]

@@francoisleblanc5074 it’s all about system integration, I have owned many moon products, but never found them to work for me although they were well-made and solid sounding just lacked in my systems.

[@phil9593]

Haven't listened yet - I'm guessing the paris audio hooked up to the Sony sscs5.

[@Keith-ux9ku]

White shirt and tie.... No more cheap audio man.

[@theoracleprodigy]

Love my system, way too much spent... I'd be curious about cheaper speakers though the svs ultra evolution, css audio collaboration with Jay or the Andrew Jones source point 888. The svs would be interesting because you could get a whole setup for theater with matching timber. Mine are the Focal 1038 be.

[@soumynonareverse7807]

What if I'm searching for both music and a home cinema system. It may be expensive while not going bananas. My first thought would be to get a Denon 13.2 AV receiver and B&O or Klipsch speakers. But I don't know if that's my best option. What would you do as you're probably more into audio than I am?

[@richardstearns621]

Randy do you have a site in which you order the Unico Primo integrated amp?

[@kenthomas1613]

MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 8.

[@chrisbatista2379]

Costlyaudioman 😄 Just kidding, nice video, like always 😉

[@admiralnorman]

What is this channel? ExpensiveAudioMan? /s

[@Exgol2005]

Speakers: planars

[@thomasetesta5641]

What happened to the cheap audioman?

[@adamcfada5071]

Geshelli J2 better than Denafrips Ares....!!???

[@Rockruio]

The Ares 15th should be slightly better.

[@ulises3113]

No bypass un fortunately

[@denislemieux7294]

Headphones?

[@BostonMike68]

D, agastino momentum amp

[@hakanakkoyun3326]

😂 Didn’t you tell us on your video before why not to buy integrated amps lol

[@cheapaudioman]

@@hakanakkoyun3326 yeah. That video did well.

[@thomasetesta5641]

cheap audioman no longer; oh well….

[@jukingeo]

Well, for me cost IS one of the MAIN options that I take into consideration and I ended up getting burned with pricier items as well and learned the hard way that you don't always get what you pay for with audio equipment. Now, you know I am going to say it again and that is that I WISH you would put the expensive stuff in another channel. It really has no business on a channel that is titled, "Cheap Audio Man". That being said, I did listen through the whole video. For your first item, the Unico amplifier. It does look good and it seems like it is built better than your other beloved amplifier the Advance Paris A10. However, $2000 and I don't even get bass and treble controls? Naw, I wouldn't even pay $1000 for it. The build quality alone doesn't warrant such an asking price. Now that Michelle turntable. $3500 Really? You have to be kidding me. Honestly, I would LOVE to pit that against my Technics SL-1200mkii with an Ortofon Blue to really see how much better that Michelle setup sounds. While it IS probably better, I bet by a maximum of 5% Clearly not worth paying that price. Okay, so I get it, it looks good, but so does the Technics SL-1200. DAC's Really, how much of an improvement is the Dayzee over the J2 with AKM 4499. Again, I believe it is only marginal. Is it worth three times as much? Does it sound 3 times better than the J2 with 4499? If that is a yes, then perhaps I would consider the Dayzee. For streamer / preamp, the Wiim Ultra? FINALLY an item we agree on! Cassette Deck? Again, you are kidding me right? Cassette really isn't even high end audio, but I do agree that your choices are expensive. $600 for a novelty item? You can keep it. Oh by the way, if you are really looking for a high cassette deck, forget Teac and get yourself a Nakamichi Dragon. CD Transport: A while back you hooked up a cheap DVD player to a decent DAC and this compared to an expensive dedicated CD player. The Schiit Urd? A waste of money. Why would I spend $1299 on a transport when I could buy a decent commercial DVD player and hook its digital output to a good DAC. Amplifiers: I knew Advance Paris would show up. Overall, I agree it looks like they make nice looking stuff. However, I had seen the inside of one of these units, the A10 specifically and I think this unit should be selling for around $800 and not $2400. You can't compare this to a McIntosh by a long shot. The Mac is built WAY better. If you are going to go high end and money is no object then the Mac is the way to go. However, I do admit that Bryston is also a VERY nice sounding and a VERY nice built amplifier and if you look around you can get a used one for a decent price. I have been looking at some of the lower (more reasonably powered) items from Emotiva. Why don't you post the TA-1? That comes in a nice price level for an integrated amplifier. Emotiva XPA-DR2. Randy, Randy, Randy. You have gone off the deep end here. While I will not argue a selling price of $1900 for a 1200 watt amplifier, I am going to argue that a 600wpc amplifier in an average home is insanity. This is the kind of power level I used when I was a DJ, filling a nightclub up with sound. Besides, the speakers that you normally use in a home would be instantly blown out when you turn up the volume with this amp. Also, with that much power and gain, there has to be some kind of noise and hiss at low volumes. I am sorry, but this isn't even a realistic suggestion. It is up there with that Michelle turntable and Schiit Turd. A totally unnecessary purchase and a waste of money. Speakers: Okay, your suggestions are more in line here and while I will not say they are cheap, these are attainable and they are good suggestions. BTW, what happened to your beloved Sonus Faber speakers? Last I seen, they were on the storage shelf behind you. So what I took away from this video you posted? Well, for the most of us here that are looking for affordable, but good hi-fi gear, many of these items don't apply and it is irrelevant because they are just too expensive. But I am a bit shocked that you pick items out from left field that are WAY out there and really unnecessary, such as the Michelle turntable, the Emotiva XPA-DRA, and the Schiit Urd. I mean really, how much improvement to your sound system did these items ad vs the cost, hmmm? I am sorry, but these do not seem like good valued items, nor do they seem practical. I know that this is just one guy's opinion. But I am looking at things realistically and yes I am basing much of it on the budget I am working with. Sadly, some of the picks here are not only expensive, but not realistic.

[@dandiehm8414]

Did you miss the part where he said these were all recommendations that HE HAS REVIEWED? He didn't say they were the vest out there. "Besides, the speakers that you normally use in a home would be instantly blown out when you turn up the volume with this amp" Power does not blow up speakers. Distortion does. Give them 600watts of clean power and most home speaker would handle that. You don't use 600 watts of CONTINUAL power in a home. I don't consider one of his choices as to be "expensive". Your mileage may vary. Cheap to some is expensive to others, and expensive to some is cheap to others.

[@jukingeo]

@@dandiehm8414 No, I didn't miss that part, but I guess you missed the part where I said that this channel is titled "Cheap Audio man." Randy, of late, seems to have strayed away from his goal of reviewing AFFORDABLE hi-fi equipment. Go ahead, look at any of his earlier videos prior to this year and that is what he says. I've been in commercial audio for many years and MANY people have used that line you have. "Power doesn't blow up speakers, distortion does." Okay, lets put that to the test. Take one of those 600 watt amps and hook it up to a 100watt speaker and host a party. Lets see how long that speaker will last. You also don't consider any of his choices expensive. Uhhhhh, the Michelle turntable at which he says he's invested $3500 into, you don't think is expensive? An A10 amplifier that costs $2500 you don't think it is expensive? If so then your view on what is considered as expensive is just has bad as his.

[@misterzero8667]

Buy all the cheap stuff you want ,don't be jealous of people who buy more expensive stuff ,people have more money than you that'd life

[@jukingeo]

It is not being jealous, but about feeding troll companies that price things for more than what an item is really worth. Granted there are some really good companies like McIntosh, but really have you seen the inside of an Advance Paris unit? I have, and from a construction point of view, the A10 should be selling for around $800, $1000 at best, not $2400. It is worse with speakers as I have seen how Focals and Revels are built and these companies are blatenly robbing you. So, why should I care? Because, it is the rich people that buy these things thinking the more they spend the better they think it will sound and as Randy himself said, that is not always the case. It is these people, the trol! Manufacturers and the rich people that are driving up the costs of these items. Pretty soon companies that were making affordable items get to thinking, "hey we should be charging more for our stuff, if these companies that are producing crap can charge so much ANF people buy it! This is how McIntosh and other good companies out there have now priced their products so high that it is impossible for the average Joe to afford. Thankfully there are still companies that believe in making a good quality product for a decent price, such as Elac, PBS, Fosi, Wiim, etc. Buying mid four, five figure items and more is really unecessary and you just end up feeding the audio trolls. Ever hear of the law of diminishing retuns? You get to a point where you spend thousands only for miniscule improvements in sound. Voice of expeience, my friend, I have been there and it has nothing to do with jealousy.

[@dandiehm8414]

@@jukingeo "...feeding troll companies that price things for more than what an item is really worth" The MARKET decides what items are worth, not you. If people don't buy the product, a company will adjust. If they do buy their product, there is no reason to change. "...as I have seen how Focals and Revels are built and these companies are blatantly robbing you." If they are listing their products at a certain price and people agree to pay that, they are NOT robbing you. It is their job as a company to sell their products at the highest price possible, not to provide you with a product at the price you want to pay. Again, the market will decide what the proper price is. "This is how McIntosh and other good companies out there have now priced their products so high that it is impossible for the average Joe to afford." That certainly sounds like jealousy to me. You could say the same about Rolexes and Ferraris.

[@guillermobrito4987]

having the ability to see the good on the cheap gear, and giving a review of budget equipment dont force u to dont see the great on the great gear.....u just dont need to call crap all the budget systems....as some people tend to....

[@howardskeivys4184]

Trading Standards may have a field day. Looks like the “cheap audio man” is really the “not so cheap audio man”.

[@dandiehm8414]

Define cheap - $8000 for a really good system is not expensive (to some people). $500 total is really expensive for some other people.

[@paulbolger9075]

"MY favorite expensive hifi gear". Change of name is in order.

[@dandiehm8414]

Nahh....its a one-off video.

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

None of this is inexpensive. You are definitely no longer the cheap audio guy ✅

[@geographyinaction7814]

It says that right in the title. Cheap audio is subjective... What may be expensive for you, may be inexpensive for someone else.

[@mattjones7547]

What do you mean? You want everything under $100? Maybe you should be looking at walmart instead of youtube

[@Prometheus1979]

Every product is easily within reach by saving the money for it.

[@billywindsock9597]

Power amp not a Burmester? 😀 Heretic!

[@marklloyd4153]

But I love judging others it makes me feel better 😂

[@davidfowler2720]

I'm sure the Q Acoustics speakers are nice, but based on the other components in the system, I would get speakers from Revel, Sonus Faber, Martin Logan, B&W or other similar brands for about 5-9K/pair.

[@jefffeith4201]

This was probably my favorite video you have done! Not very cheap components, LOL. But you introduced me to gear I’ve never heard of so thanks for that. If you have more than one I think it’s important to have a reference system. It’s the one you love most… the one you splurged on. The second system is where you want value for cheap. I’m fortunate to have three systems. Two could be considered my dream system - they are similar but different and live in different parts of the house. Upstairs is a Dennis Had tube amp connected to Klipsch Heresy IVs. A Topping AKM DAC hard wired to an iPad is a super convenient source. I’m considering a Schiit Lokius to enhance the sound and may treat myself for my next birthday. I’ve wanted this amp and speakers for a long time and finally reached a point to afford them. Downstairs is a Cary Audio tube amp and preamp connected to Dahlquist DQ20 speakers. An Anthem tube CD player spins my 1000+ CD collection. I built this system over time in the 1990s (used gear to make it cheapah) and it still sounds great today. Totally different sound and experience from the upstairs system. I love them both for the perspectives they offer. A third system is a much more modest Musical Paradise tube amp connected to NHT speakers. Under $500! I stream music with an iPad or iPhone and with the push of a button I am watching TV/movies with great sound. I consider this setup a bit flawed. It doesn’t sound like the other two but it still sounds very good. A great thing about this hobby is you have so many options and can buy what you want. Researching what to get is part of the experience and YOU make that even more fun.

[@markleung3928]

Cost no object speaker: JBL Paragon. I got to listen to one in a Jazz club in Japan (Matsuyama). It was like having warm honey poured into my ears.

[@spirosk7984]

You should also check Atoll IN200 and IN300 amps....exceptional quality of materials, superb feel and assembly as well as so much real power that you can drive almost any speaker...Made in France and extremely reasonably priced

[@connorduke4619]

Speakers? Dynaudio all the way, it's not even close! Bookshelves: Dynaudio Evoke 10, Floorstanders: Dynaudio Evoke 50. Why? They excel across the full frequency spectrum: clean detailed but never harsh treble, natural mids that make piano and vocals sound like they should, very punchy bass (especially if paired with a high current amp such as Rotel 1572 MkII).

[@scottygdaman]

way to many people in our hobby are completley product dedicated. you know the 50 grand turn table that must be setup this or that way connected to another piec of gear costing thousands,,, its all set up per instructions using more products.. ive heard some dont care a bit what or how a speakers cross over is made,,, thier not concerned at all that a speaker is made to pricepoints ,, so would one be made with premium coils,, caps,, etc. ? can one buy a decent set of speakers then up grade inner components for pennies on the sawbuck ? i used to think ,, i want a ultra high end audio system,, i do not . their stupid and your trapped with the dam thing.. ive blown decent speakers,, ive greatly improved some as well. .. making traps so a set of speakers are now dedicated to certain freqs, like a sub,, or what can be real cool,, if you like opera is a dedicated pair just for voice. instead of looking and paying for these things,, easy enough to modify or make your own,. ive heard a few homemade systems using big old theater speakers with active 15 pound voice coils ,,, bass speakers from old organs,, ., some crazy huge homemade dac,, that looks dangerous, lol sound way so much better than mahoganny diamond filled stupid things.

[@tcalixto4v]

I use the Sunrise Lab Audio integrated amplifier and phono stage with excellent results. DAC is from Gold Note. Turntable by Acoustic Signature.

[@fredoswego]

I'll never get over the fact that if I buy a CD player/transport today I have to be careful to select one that plays gapless. Why is this even a worry? Are there actually audio engineers that go, "No, Dark Side of the Moon needs silent spots between tracks."

[@kl9941]

I am actually very pleased with the Wiim Mini connected to the Denafrips Pontus II into the Rogue Sphinx v3 integrated amp. After being obsessed with the never ending seeking perfection bug, I realized after going to a few hi-fi shows that I am "good." The only plan is to add a second set of speakers to my current Magnepan MG12s/Rythmik dual sub L12's setup. Saving my dollars for the Kef Reference 1 Metas should they ever go on sale. Otherwise probably just the Wiim Pro for the Mini to access the room correction. Nothing else......for now.

[@tebbywafer1665]

No such thing as price no object, but here is my end game system. Grimm MU2 preamp, streamer, DAC. Audiaflight fl4 mono blocks . And magnapan 20.7x. This cost more than the last car I bought, but the sound moves me.❤😂🎉

[@michaelsparrow4798]

@cheapaudioman: I'm confused why you specify the Advance Paris as your unbalanced choice. If I'm not mistaken, both the AP and the Emotiva have both balanced and unbalanced inputs. Am I missing something? Perhaps the distinction is more about power output than signal inputs?

[@davidcross890]

When are you going to expose the involved industries participants of the invite only freak offs of some sorts?

[@itsvladzino3246]

‘If I want to listen to tapes’ - which you do do do, da da da - is all I want to say to you

[@BeyondResolution]

Speakers for me are simple.. Egglestonworks Nico Evo.. such an underrated brand.. should be mentioned amongst wilsons and magico's.. far better than everything ells i have heard, and it's not a short list.. Superb speaker.

[@orwhat24]

I’ll say it again, I’m cheap I don’t buy cheap. But I love good value and cheap prices. I suspect Randy may be the same. Randy?

[@GrayWolfe-34]

I just appreciate you being honest Randy, no matter how much it cost. You can't do everything cheap. Sometimes you got to do stuff that suspense plus I like seeing it sometimes anyway, I can at least look at it. Lol

[@ahuesphoto]

You can also listen to them at local meets and audio shows

[@markorchard2272]

Why has Dali totally disappeared? They are my favourite!!

[@welderfixer]

For my income "cost no option" speaker would be either the Solstice MLTL kit from Parts Express with custom crossovers built by a long retired audio gear engineer I met this spring or the latest tower kit from CSS Audio. Electronics would be Emotiva, McIntosh for breaking the bank or vintage Conrad Johnson.

[@ufarkingicehole]

Nice. The morel drivers in the kit individually cost more than the entire kit

[@AnthonyPalazzo51]

Where’s the list?