Crazy Audiophile System Under $350 Gives You Options!

[@UrbnDwellr]

Audio systems are like whiskey . . . The BEST whiskey? The one YOU like. It's as simple as that. That's why I love this channel. Randy offers a lot of options - some more expensive, some really pretty cheap. I have a really nice system (as far as I'm concerned - others may think mine is cheap), but real audiophiles don't mock other people's choices - no matter what they are. We embrace everyone who is interested in the same stuff we are.

[@chrismowag6919]

The problem is that „what you like“ is related to „what you are used to“. I for sure couldn‘t tell the difference between a good cafe and a crappy one. Then I lived for 3 months with a coffee aficionado… took me another 3 months that I was back to normal and can now drink starbucks piss again without having to throw up. Exaggerating of course, but hopefully you get my point. There is nothing wrong with „what you like“ but there definitly is an objective (!) „good“ (and no, cheap Whiskey is not „good“. It gets the job done though …) 😉

[@AEFisch]

Appreciate videos like this as well as "ValueAudioMan" ones where they aren't cheap but you get something for the $

[@matthirn7858]

This is an excellent example of why your channel is valuable. The audiophile hobby journey will begin at different places for different people. You help beginners to find affordable gear that will allow them to experience varying characteristics of audio equipment. Helping people enter the hobby and enjoy the ongoing exploration is what you do and for that you are appreciated.

[@rayr4320]

I just got the Douky amp 3 days ago based on the earlier review from this channel. When I work outdoors I used to open my house windows and sliding doors so I could hear stereo play. Now I have a little set up with this amp that stays in a pool house in the yard. It sounds great running two old Infinity primus BS speakers I had. Each connects to the amp with 50' of 16 gu outdoor speaker wire so I can orient the speakers based on my location in the yard. The amp really works well for my purpose.

[@j.tarner9093]

One item I rarely see mentioned is a simple rca source switch, throw on your blu ray/CD player, cassette or whatever if you don't have enough inputs on the amp. Cheap fun! Thanks Randy!

[@AEFisch]

My CD is connected by optical to bypass the bad DAC in the CD player. Big difference than using the RCA connection. FYI.

[@1TechCritic420]

You're ruining your sound that way. Just sayin. That's why it's rarely mentioned. You're better off not connecting that way.

[@AndyBHome]

Getting back to your roots. I like it!

[@AndyBHome]

I particularly like how today's system takes future expansion/upgrades into consideration. Seems like it would be a great system as is, but with the potential to be expanded into an even better system just one component at a time. My first upgrade would probably be to save money and just get big used speakers locally. The sound of that would probably not be perfectly refined and "accurate," but I value wide frequency range more than precision.

[@YoungOldDude]

Thanks for the review Cheap Audio Man. In reference to your video, regarding speakers around $100-$200 range...Fluance has a few decent bookshelf speakers ranging from $150-$200.

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Great advice for little money, for someone starting out on a musical experience journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to make the effort to share this with us all , along with your appreciated perspectives. All the best to you and the family, Sir.

[@terrykemp8131]

Well said Randy. No one has copyright on the term Audiophile. Nice recommendations of some quality audio systems, that do not cost a ton of money.🙂

[@allenbrixey1122]

Good job Randy. Remember some times you can get pieces at used audio shops or open box and get a lot of bang for the buck.

[@larryjasper9721]

I added 7 Micca speakers for my small living room home theater 7.1......the Micca speakers are awesome!

[@ralphcraycraft9273]

I followed his under 250 years ago. Still sounds great today. This guy knows his stuff.!!

[@mikecampbell5856]

A lot of butt heads have been giving you grief for reviewing expensive gear. I enjoy those reviews as much as the cheap gear. There are a finite number of cheap audio components out there and I do love seeing the really good stuff. Keep doing what you're doing Randy! I use the Wiim Mini with the optical out to a Schiit Modi 3+ and I am super happy!

[@FrightfulMess]

OK, fine, then let's start calling him the "totally unaffordable audio man" and we can tone down on the complaints. Deal?

[@ZM-ij2hx]

There is a finite number of anything. There's a giant swath of cheap/affordable equipment on the market with more being released all the time.

[@beforeandafterphotos]

I just upgraded from my lipsch promedia, that i had for 10+ year and loved, to the RSL 2.1...wow....it sounds really good! hoping to really test it once my kids and wife are back to work though...😀

[@CensorMeNot-dv5lg]

Those JBL stage a130 speakers from a few years ago are still Amazeballs! 🍻

[@EskWIRED]

In my opinion, an audiophile system is one which has been put together primarily for listening and enjoyment of music. Other systems are good for other purposes. But an audiophile system is laser focused on sounding good. At any price.

[@bigbadbith8422]

What a sensible comment😊

[@perkulant4629]

Most audiophiles online seem to want to listen to the system vs the music these days it seems :/

[@waynemorton6120]

@@perkulant4629 100% true. It's more of a pissing contest than a genuine love for the music. So many are spunking huge amounts of money on gear just so they can "hear" a doormouse farting in the far left corner of Dizzy Gillespies crib.

[@tonyt.5771]

Any price? Wrong

[@NicoRas-e9m]

Even a better and cheaper option would be an Edifier 1700 plus Wiim nothing else required and virtually no wiring, also you don't need a power bric.. Excellent sound and value for money. It sports base and treble, blue tooth, analog in etc. Amplifiers are built into the speakers and uses DSP to split the sound between woofer and tweeter. They also look awsome and includes a subwoofer output port. I don't think any startup would beat it.

[@jemsmay2167]

For a $300ish system the Dayton Audio B65 classic speaker at $69 deserves a long look. This plus the NobSound amp and WiiM mini leaves you with enough to add a SMSL DAC…

[@hudsontucker13]

I agree, the Dayton Audio B65 Classic is a great value at twice the price. It's also a really great looking speaker

[@lhommedieu5489]

I have B652s I wonder how close the two are?

[@TheFriday40]

i recommend RSL integrated amp ($110), Dayton Audio B65 classic bookshelf's ($70), plus Wiim mini ($90) ... all for $270.00

[@ericboehm4529]

I have a set of Neumi BS5s. Great little speakers. Loved the video Randy. Audiophile should never equal snob. If you enjoy the sound you’re hearing on your gear in your room with your ears then it doesn’t matter what you spent on it.

[@traildoggy]

I love my Fluance Signature HiFi 2-Way Bookshelf, they sound great with my Aiyima T9. They're available for about $170-200.

[@robertweiss5147]

Agreed. Audiophile is such an arbitrary term. I have a WIIM mini I picked up on sale for $70 connected to a Schiit Modi DAC I found for $100 about a year ago which is connected to a pair of Klipsch Fives I found on sale for $400 about a year ago. For less than $600 I have a system I use daily that I feel sounds way better than the Yamaha receiver and speakers I paid over $1000 for over 20 years ago.

[@pernell4351]

Good morning great show but you forgot two things you can get 1 in the speaker you can get the new Dayton Audio Classic B65 Bookshelf Speaker great price for a pair for $70 good frequency response. Are if got little more money the Dayton Audio Classic T65 Floor-Standing Tower Speaker for pair $200 then you can add the Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver with Phono Inputs & Bluetooth for $150 wiim $90 then get a good sound system for $310 to $440 it depends on the speakers.

[@FootballFinn]

what about Sony SSCS5? $149.99 on Amazon right now?

[@christophermcdonald5578]

I miss the old wobbly table

[@ramondelgado6778]

And the Polk RT -15 speaker stands. 😂

[@JoseMorales-pq9yu]

You are spot on correct. Audiophile to me is something that is determined by the listener regardless of price. My personal setup is a mid level Pioneer 5 1 2 receiver and Monoprice speakers, sub woofer included and its perfect for my small apartment. All the highs, lows, and booms one needs. (my personal experience) Thanks for showing that equipment that sounds good need not come with a mortgage attached. Keep the content coming.

[@FunFiEmpire]

That amp sounds really fantastic. For a "mid tier cheap system" I would vote for the Wiim mini ($90), the SMSL RAW-HA1 ($250), and Emotiva XB1 ($369). Then save up for the RSL 10E Subwoofer ($300). Phono preamp is missing, so would have to figure that out... but for an all-digital I think that is a pretty swell ($1009+tax) system for a FunFi Empire of your own!

[@francescotenti193]

Don't forget thrift shops for people on tight budgets. Just few months ago I bought a Technics SA 104, $10.00 and a pair of Sony SS-H3500, $14.00, all in excellent conditions. I connected them to a TV in a spare bedroom. Add a source or two like a Wiim Mini for $89.00 and a Blue Ray player for around $40.00 and/or a blue tooth adapter for another $10-15.00 and for less than $200.00 you'll have a very decent sounding system and the looks of a vintage receiver.

[@JohnDoe-df2zz]

I wish I knew someone with the Micca MB42's, because I own the RB42's and those are amazing little speakers. You don't realize how small they are, but how big they sound until you see them in person.

[@TheRocco28]

I would look at Polk Audio XT-15 speakers. $175 in Canada, they have to be cheaper in the USA.

[@allenbrixey1122]

I picked up a pair of the xt20 at Best buy. Open box out the door for $130. I talked them down after seeing a cracked grill cover. Paired with a Emotiva Ta 1 integrated amp and a cheap polk sub. This is my daughter's system and rocks pretty good. All in for around $750

[@AEFisch]

? A great follow up is to take this and price- efficiently improve it. What would next things make the most difference, incrementally? Good topic as some people like me would do this in my home office in addition to my main system. Suggest on streamers you review the interface as it is key as anything can send data as long as it's lossless. Wish my roku was lossless - TV interface (no idea why it isn't).

[@robertmcdougall3166]

I have Wharfdale bookshelf speakers in the main room but was looking at a small bookshelf for a small back room, a friend in the US has said they love their new Mica MB42X G2. I simply on’t understand why these are not for sale in the UK

[@EmylPangan]

Bought DALI Spector 2. I loved my decision.

[@HappyJ]

I am surprised you did not mention the Sony Sscs5 speakers showing at $150.00 pair on Amazon.

[@cunawarit]

In my opinion, the best approach for building a great budget audio system is to focus on active speakers. For the source, a device like a WiiM streamer or a Raspberry Pi works perfectly. Pair the Raspberry Pi with a USB DAC or a DAC HAT, and you've got a convenient and versatile setup. Active speakers, like the Yamaha HS5 studio monitors, are an excellent choice. They offer fantastic sound quality without the need for a separate amplifier, keeping your system streamlined and cost-effective. It's a simple yet highly effective way to get great audio on a budget.

[@gratmatassa5432]

wharfedale diamond 9.1 still available new from amazon £129.00 solid build sound superb

[@timbacchus]

I like words like ambiguity. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas

[@guillermobrito4987]

Here we go: Arilyc S10+: $69.00 Aiyiima T3: $50.39 (with 10% discount) Leaudio Cattle Pro: $ 79.99 Neumi Silk: $149.99 All separates...all upgradable

[@AshtonCoolman]

Presonus Eris 3.5BT or 4.5BT for $99 or $169 respectively are amazing for the money. I have the 3.5BT with their 8 inch sub and an SMSL M300SE DAC. They use TRS balanced inputs as well as RCA.

[@bengleason508]

Thanks Randy!

[@smarouchoc7300]

Ok now! This is the kind of video I'm here for. This might help me fix my current gaming PC situation. Maybe.

[@TheSodFather09]

Randy really knows how to sell things

[@MrDannyyb]

He thinks he does😅

[@LordHog]

It is nice to get a nice audio system, but two thing always come to my mind. First, is the price is such systems. Second, one’s ability to hear the difference.

[@MRB1910]

Randy should lean into “Cheap Audiophile”

[@michaelmoxley7787]

Kali audio LP-6 (powered speakers at $200 each) with the Wiim mini. I’m enjoying this setup in a small workout space.

[@jlutell]

I'm using fosi tpa3116 + wiim mini driving various speakers around the house with roon for an inexpensive background music system.

[@chrmanlovhum]

Hi ! How are You today ? I am the one who wrote a very long comments a few days ago from Eastern Canada, I would like to convey my appreciations towards You, of opening my eyes of some systems that exist, and it might help me to make a good choice in the very near future, all the product You listed, there are not a lot of wide difference in price here in Canada, so it is easier to digest, I just hope and pray that the Micca company can do some speakers with a remote control like the Edifiers and some Swans also, maybe there is a way to put a remote control on these speakers, can be difficult for the neophyte in electronics, some who are experts, maybe they can do some trick, but it can cost a lot of money, because it is pretty much, I will try this and if it is a hit, well good, but if it is miss, well it is not good, so it is on a try-out basis (that is why that can get expensive to try to put a remote control on speakers that has any), but anyway, I am rambling over here, will stop here. I am very attracted by the Edifiers speakers like the S2000pro or some variants of those and the Swans, but the Swans their website is not the best, because most product there do not have any price and it is a very obscure company, so to have services from them, might be arduous let's say. There are not a lot of speakers companies who built speakers with remote control, which is very affordable, I checked all across the web and the Edifier Company almost has the monopoly of that kind of product. There are some companies, they have remote control, but to buy them we have to open a mortgage and sell the car or the snow blower and the lawn mower. Thanks again. Take good care and be safe out there and be careful of Your Health. God Bless You All and Love You All. From Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada.

[@dustincampbell5170]

Great video! Thanks man!

[@PIMPOFKIRKWOOD]

What's your onion on Klipsch?

[@allenbrixey1122]

Ok Randy I wanna see musical fidelity M6si 500 vs advance paris A12. Ones about $4500 vs $3800. But you can pick up the music fidelity open box for around $3800. One doesn't have a Dac but most of us have a external one. Thanks to you I have a gesgelli labs j2 socketed with sparkos op amps.

[@canonwright8397]

Love the channel, but we gotta get a more classy, special, once-in-a-year event (show) where we grab a glass of wine or whisky and watch the show in smoking jackets and cigars. =].

[@purrito4424]

I'm not an audiophile I just hate bad sounding things.

[@robertwoodward9231]

You are an audiophile if you listen to music, collect, for whatever reason.

[@mts982]

can you use this with a pc computer with a headset?

[@CashGravel]

I own that tiny streamer and it’s very good even with a better system downstream

[@thetrumanshow4791]

I believe that. Absolutely. And it makes sense. Imho . . . the speakers and amplifier are going to make the biggest impact and maybe in that order. The streamer is the last piece of the puzzle and maybe more of a quality of life/luxury factor than a quality of music factor. In my mind it's: Speakers >amp/dac>source>cables/environment.

[@JohnScheppler]

Great system, but no FM tuner 😱 LOL I barely even use that in the car nowadays.

[@therealboofighter]

You should talk about the WiiM and how it is not able to see more than 500 songs on your hard drive.

[@donfinnie3303]

I have 7000 cds ripped on my server and can play any or all of them on my Wiim. Your problem is likely the software that is presenting your songs to the Wiim. Maybe you're on the "free" version?

[@JazzinBlues]

What, no Sonys??? 😅

[@shawnperry8122]

Will those components work on an old pair of Klipsh kg4’s I have? I’m looking for recommendations on setting them up for cheap and I mostly want to use Spotify.

[@cheapaudioman]

For sure. Wiim has Spotify connect. But if your just going to stream also consider the aiyima a07 max or the Fosi tb10d. Check what power supply comes with them though. But with the Klipsch I’m sure those speakers are pretty efficient. Will save you about 50 bucks if you don’t care about the phone stage

[@lordofthewolves5292]

Do I need to have Alexa to stream Amazon music through a Wiim Mini?

[@onde_onde0]

unfortunaly Micca MB42X not available in my country, came across the Kanto Passive 4 which is roughly the same size as the Micca, so is the kanto as good as the micca, or not worth it? not that much review on it

[@1960alftupper]

Ok…Christmas my grand daughter is sleeping in my music room…How do I listen to Tidel. I have a Google Pixel 6 with the USB Audio app putting hi-res audio through the usb connector to my IFI Zen dac (£130uk) plug in my reserve Grado headphones SR80x (£100uk). Sounds pretty good better than a Bluetooth speaker and for just around £230uk +- Obviously you need an android phone so sort of cheating.But a good cheap way to listen.

[@loe7717]

I'm getting rid of active speakers. I'm leaving the wiim ultra and buying the Elac debiut 3.0 DB63 and Rotel A8.

[@04rquin]

Jamo S7-17 speakers can be bought in UK right now for £109 :) Jamo owned by Klipsch

[@redjr16]

Polk ES15 are killer speakers, and on sale now for $209.OO. They will simply blow away anything that micca has to offer.

[@NTSCuser]

Don't most budget turntables already come with a phono pre-amp stage these days?

[@stewarteadie6769]

Amazon UK HAVE Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 Bookshelf Speakers Carbon Fibre Pair { 129.00 POUNDS uk}

[@vo4wb]

I do not understand how the op amps are mounted in the amplifier so you can roll them around.

[@D1N02]

Better to get a WIIM amp on sale and scout some used speakers .

[@mandismith89]

way too many people think something sounds good because of what it cost...absolute nonsense

[@junkyardpearls5066]

Can you adopt me? Your life and home seems like my dream. I’m a chef and would gladly make you whatever you want haha

[@Durkhead]

I think the little class d amps sound better with no tone controls

[@misterzero8667]

It's a system audiophile it ain't

[@arena_rock_man9030]

Uh .... That newegg link for the Micca MB42x G2 is nearly $100 more than on Amazon....

[@alessiofortuna9383]

AirPlay 2 confirmed !

[@tkyap2524]

Objectively, you hear what you can afford to listen.

[@jessicalawson1417]

didn't include speaker wire into this pricing, in order to get a good set of wires with banana clips your spending like 40 dollars on just the wires

[@d_manoil1647]

I have some hearing loss so its audiophile to me

[@rapier5]

People have to learn to hear. Most people won't or can learn to hear well enough to discern differences in sound and so be an audiophile. So what. For one thing how can you hear many systems to even start to form personal preferences? How about 'Hey, This Sounds Good' channel. Here's a system with these components for $XXX dollars I like.

[@rabit818]

Phono = analogue goes through a digital amplifier.

[@jeffanderinkillmer8479]

What about the Sony SSCS5? $150

[@D1N02]

No way you can get that at that price level

[@Audiomainia2310]

Maybe Randy thinks the term audiophile is a moving term - its not. You promote anything that pays you - a shill with little knowledge. I remember a video where Randy said " you only use maybe 5 to 10 watts naximum " - then tries to promote an Emotiva speaker that has a minimum power requirement of 60 watts. Like I said, a paid shill.

[@stonefree1911]

It's a nice low cost system.... but I would never refer to it as audiophile. Unless it's one of Randy's "end Game" or "### Killers"....

[@1TechCritic420]

Maybe you need to look up the definition of audiophile. HAs nothing do do with costs. this is perfectly capable of Hi-Fi. The only thing left to fit the definition of audiophile is enthusiasm. Period. It does hifi.

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

The Douk Audio NS-13G claims 300wpc. Um, the power supply can't do that. Huge red flag for me.

[@eugeneniemierzycki6490]

Cheap audio man has become an everything goes or all equipment is the best? Too bad ' cause there was a time we enjoyed his reviews. Now, well, I wouldn't believe anything he says. There are many "flunkies" that populate you tube out there. Regretably, cheap audio man is still cheap like talk is cheap!

[@MrDannyyb]

Shilling more junk

[@cschwacofer]

Welcome to 2017

[@Schaneification]

AUDIOPHILE 🤣😂🤣

[@FrightfulMess]

Soooo........is there a nasty "little" side effect to plugging in these beefy 5 gigivolt, 30 billion amp external power supplies.......i.e. a sizable leap in your electric bill if you listen to an album or two every other day for a month? Lower income cheapskates wanna KNOW!!!!!!

[@jerrypowers7671]

18th

[@Smfins]

First here!

[@jerrypowers7671]

Are you 12 years old?

[@Smfins]

@ 😂😂sorry I hurt your feelings.

[@1TechCritic420]

All these dumb ass gatekeeper comment about how it's not hifi. It does hifi period.

[@tonyt.5771]

Audiophile and $350 don't go together in the same sentence ffs.

[@ws5613]

Class D and audiophile quality hahahahaha not even for a 10000

[@thecliqueshallsetyoufree8745]

Sorry this is not an audiophile system , it's just a system to playback music. You can spend $350 on cheap all in one's and get more enjoyment form your purchase. Just saying.

[@Audiodreamer192-24]

Agreed

[@ZM-ij2hx]

Audiophile is a made up concept, and is only gatekept so people who've spent way too much money on diminishing returns can justify those costs to themselves. Just saying

[@myplacerighthear3691]

For me I'm addicted to toroidal sandwiches.. were there a new chips allowed, a true audio file has only love for toroidal amplifiers..

[@Tom_the_great]

Someone is out of touch with reality