Believe it: $1,250 (or less) can buy a complete audiophile system

Check out the The best $500 or a lot less complete audio systems vid, • The best $500 or a lot...
JBL Stage A170 www.cnet.com/news/jbls-mighty...
Tekton Mini Lore www.tektondesign.com/mini-lor...
Klipsch RP 600M www.cnet.com/news/the-klipsch...
ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 www.elac.com/product/ub5/?r=us
Emotiva T1+ emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-t1
www.cnet.com/reviews/emotiva-...
ELAC Debut F6.2 www.elac.com/product/f6-2/?r=us
ELAC Debut F5.2 www.elac.com/product/f5-2/?r=us
KEF Q350 www.cnet.com/reviews/kef-q350...
Magnepan LRS • First review: Magnepan...
Klipsch RP 5000F www.cnet.com/news/klipsch-rp-...
Onkyo TX 8270 www.cnet.com/news/onkyos-new-...
Yamaha A-S801 www.cnet.com/news/old-school-...
-------------------------------
Vista Spark Made www.vista-audio.com/products/S...
NAD C316BEEv2 nadelectronics.com/product/c-...
Cambridge AXA35 • Review: Cambridge Audi...
Outlaw Audio RR2160 www.cnet.com/news/outlaw-audi...
$129 Schiit Mani phono pre, www.schiit.com/products/mani
$99 Schiit Modi digital converter, www.schiit.com/products/modi-1
$170 Fluance RT80, www.fluance.com/rt80-high-fid...
Follow me on Twitter: / audiophiliacman
#audiophile

[@rvickner]

I've owned the Outlaw rr2160 since Feb, driving Monitor Audio Silver 300's.. I can confirm everything Steve has said about it.. It is a beast.. you can feel the build quality, i often tell people its a "throw back" to a time when equipment was just built to last when asked to describe it

[@motocommando2477]

Same here. I've had my Outlaw for about the same amount of time. Love it. It does just about everything I want a receiver or amplifier to do. You could get better, but you would have to pay much, much more to get it. Very happy with this purchase. Also have a pair of the RP600M's and his review is spot on. Having owned many Klipsch speakers in the past, I kind of knew what to expect with these and was not disappointed. Concur on the weak bottom end, but these are bookshelf speakers and that is to be expected. The magic is in the mid/highs. That horn is amazing. I have a subwoofer to fill in the rest. And thanks Steve for these terrific videos.

[@mag290]

Too bad it doesn't come with room correction such as Dirac Live or Audessey MultEQ XT32, High Res streaming system, and a wifi control app...

[@mag290]

MiniDSP SHD (with Dirac Live 2.0) hooked up to a Crown XLS 1502 Drivecore. :)

[@tallpaull9367]

Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac - killer Combo for under $1200 ? . Crown XLS1502 Drivecore Amplifier Shiit Saga-S Preamp Shiit Modi DAC Elac Debut 2.0 6.2 Speakers Love to see Audiophiliac test that against other systems for under $1200 !

[@danbrodersen5838]

@Syb 62 Does the Outlaw run 4 ohm speakers well? Does anyone know if the power of the Outlaw is cleaner or as clean as the Yamaha A-S801?

[@MBTexas196]

I use to work for Klipsch, was fortunate to know Paul Klipsch personally. When I worked there I thought they were outstanding. I’m proud to say my name is on the back of thousands of them, as I was a speaker tester. It’s good to see them on this list.

[@jerryjohnson4625]

That's cool !

[@heartdaaji]

It's good to know that

[@Mike-vr4lw]

It's nice to meet you .I have a pair of heresies . I bought them in 1977 .and they are still kickin ass . All of my saround sound and subwoofers are klipsch. Wow, it must have been great to work with Paul W. Klipsch 👍

[@redstarwraith]

This is the installment that I have been waiting for! I love these, they are so useful!

[@bollingbryant]

I miss your CNET reviews, Steve. But this video is brilliant work. Perhaps the best rundown of inexpensive audio in existence. Good luck in this new venture and thank you for your many excellent contributions to home audio over the years.

[@nevermind2407]

Your shirt is perfect for a bank robbery... Its un-describable

[@iLoveCreepersss]

''The shirt looked like modern art. Something like one of Picasso's paintings'' -> Busted

[@cleethorphesdave852]

Never Mind if wore that shirt for a bank robbery that would be two crimes !

[@twt3716]

Hahahaha you must be a fellow brit to have thought that one up. Lovely humour. Have yourself a covid free day, Pal 😊

[@footsoldier857]

It's his Jazz shirt.

[@lockelamora8217]

ahahaha

[@carlwells9504]

I love your recommendations! I've been NAD/ Klipsch fan for years!

[@marks9197]

I'm a first-time visitor, and I immediately subscribed! Thank you for all the info. For what it's worth, I'm still in love with my Definitive Technology BP6 's. I've had them 20 + years.

[@johnlecoure164]

I have the same set. Plus bp 30 and bp 10 The bp 30 are the best sounding speaker I've still ever heard. Glad to see a older def tec lover. The line up we have are the best they ever made. Sandy Cros def tec inventor built those him self before he sold the company. He also started Polk Audio and now he's doing Golden Ear speakers I believe. Cheers

[@JimMarvinClassical]

Steve! I've posted this to my FB page. Recently, you helped me pull the trigger on the KEF R3 after what seemed like a year of research. This is a great teaching. And I'd wager the audience for this is huge. Nice!

[@airgliderz]

Great well needed video fills a void in audiophile world where some audiophile snobs think high price defines audiophile, thank you. I trust your real world reviews.

[@Jeton6]

great, highly specific and informative list!

[@premm23]

Steve, how much can you squeeze in one video. Amazing! You have covered in one video what a magazine tries to cover in one issue! Brilliantly informative and useful.

[@BenHodgeThemeParkEndeavor]

I could watch this over and over, and probably will, thanks for the audio advice.

[@cameronkrause4712]

Steve, this is one of your best videos. You have covered a ton of stuff and have given the viewer plenty of options. For anyone with this kind of budget this is the video that I recommend they watch. Nicely done!

[@marioschwarzbach2894]

Now, that’s what I call a great informative video. Thank you 👍

[@edmundgil6008]

Love this the 2nd time, Steve! ❤️. What about a 2nd video with a $4,000 limit? Then we can get into some high end integrated amps, and some even better speakers!

[@asteriskesque]

What a fantastic rundown. I'd love to see this sort of list become an annual thing here. It's so helpful. Seriously, awesome stuff. I look forward to the day I start to rebuild my system from scratch. Mine is currently based on a Raspberry Pi running a Boss ALLO DAC into an old pair of Genelec 1029a studio monitors - they're small but mighty.

[@christopherhudson3163]

Great show and choices, Steve. Keep this 'systems series' coming! Now, may I add a suggestion for one? 'The best headphone systems' for...$500? $300? $600? This would be : 1. amp (include jds atom, liquid spark, something portable? ) 2. Wired headphones (open back, closed back - $100, $200, $300..), planar (H400i), and vc based (be sure to include shp9500 besides the Grados) 3. separate DAC, perhaps with bt 5.0, aptx, aptx HD (or stand-alone bt..) 4. Phono preamp.. This type of system show would really be appreciated by many of us stuck in apartments or with family/wife who give us nothing but grief when we listen to speaker-based systems. Thanks! Chris

[@JG-gg9wk]

Well done Steve. This kind of info is priceless. Keep these types of vlogs coming. What would $2k, 3k, even 5k get you?

[@galbraithmp]

Steve it would be extremely helpful to know the types of music you enjoy and which components and combinations thereof work best with which type of music. I’m sure your subscribers have wide ranging tastes, so this would cap your recommendations off nicely!

[@dilbyjones]

I'm so glad you guys are doing this a lot of us never stopped looking for " the best"

[@nitrofreakmanho]

Sounds like an honest review to me. I haven’t bought audio gear in years because I built a system that I’m quite happy with after years of suffering from constant upgraditis. This video should help those getting into the hobby at a nice price point.

[@sting64az]

Good review as always on those speakers. I still love my Elac debut 6.2 that I bought at limit time 1/2 off their regular price. They are still at $299.00 pair at Best Buy at the moment. They just are so nice sounding and easy on the ear for hours of listening. They perform well with any genre of music I listen to. A hand clap to Andrew Jones for his amazing work.

[@tsvetoslavivanchev4014]

What receiver are you using?

[@garageworker]

You really out did yourself with this video. It was great, thank you.

[@9147358909]

The Klipsch floorstanders, mentioned later on-Go Back, GarageWorker! ;-)

[@wjvlodek8769]

@@9147358909 You like them?

[@DiscoFang]

Your comments about the Magnepans are so relatable. My favourite speaker of all time, and still the ones in my main system are the old babies, the MG1C. Have had several large Magneplanars driven by serious amplifiers but the little ones are just sooooo sweet. Have a spare set that I think I paid $300 for, 10 years ago. Such delight.

[@garlandtube3]

I have watched many of your videos, liked a lot, never followed you, but this one ended with great reasons to follow you. Playlists for speakers, and other items, interviews it all sounds good. You got me!

[@mymixture965]

I have a Denon PMA 2000 and now I added the Schiit Mani, it transferred my system to another level, this little cheap beast is the best piece ever, for the price it is a steal.

[@James-bv4nu]

Wow, you bring me back to when I was 15, and salivating over a Fischer/Scott/Pioneer/Sansui amplifier, Garrard turn table, JBL speakers, 15" subwoofer, ... those were the days !

[@chrisanthony7552]

I was thinking the same thing. In 1972 I logged aver 100 hours in various stereo stores to find my best sound for a budget of $400 dollars. Same cost as a semester's worth of tuition back then. I bought small Advent speakers,Marantz 1060 amp and an AR single speed turntable. It was awesome.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

1966, $300 got you a little Fischer 25 watt tube amp, a Dual 1019 changer/turntable and 2 AR 4a sealed speakers. It lasted into the 80's when the speaker cones wore out, probably could've been reconed! $300 was 3 semesters of tuition at my university.

[@JohnTurner313]

Thank you for your videos. Having an audiophile setup is a dream of mine and all the info you provide is just great for newbs like me. Someday I will use the info in this video and get there!

[@WhiteBoyFunk]

Love this video and very glad to hear outlaw has such a good response!

[@johnolson4977]

Steve you didn’t give a budget price CD player Recommendation , Another great video thanks Steve

[@3lueant347]

cambridge and emotiva

[@Splenda257]

Loud shirt, but does not require a lot of power.

[@monkeymonkerson]

lol

[@jaysterling26]

I'd say it's an 80s classic.

[@Jinppa]

It's called sensitivity, which you don't seem to have :)

[@DKN808]

who cares about his shirt. trolls will be trolls.

[@fredriksvard2603]

Its an "im a musician" shirt, so maybe this guy os one of those rare audiophiles who actually cares about music

[@Gerryinthewoods]

Great job, Steve. Thanks for all you do.

[@04NJCobra]

The is for the great info Steve! This helps the budget minded listeners who still want quality . Thank you!

[@EddieJazzFan]

Great recommendations Thanks. I know it's been said before, but the law of diminishing returns really applies to audio equipment.

[@michaelangst6078]

How would you know if you're not testing Expensive equipment yourself?

[@ZoranJager]

I haven’t tested myself the rest of the recommended gear, however I do have the Shiit mani phono preamp and it is absolutely amazing for the price. Very highly recommended

[@NickP333]

That was a great list you put together. I’ve got a few friends looking to get into HiFi after hearing my system, which is really quite flattering, and you covered all the bases. The Fluance is the perfect solution for a turntable. Mani’s all around, too! I actually started using a Schiit Mani myself, for the exact reasons you just mentioned. It really is quite the phono pre and far outperforms it’s price point by a long shot. Thank you very much for another great vid, Steve! 🎶🔊🙂

[@davidmiller1534]

This was a great video & I'd love to see the Steve do this at several other price points - say, $2500 and $5000. A multi-channel post like this would be great too!

[@nunofernandes4501]

I bought the Cambridge AXA35 and a pair of Dali Oberon 5 (€800 a pair). Later a little DacMagic 100 joined in the party to play FLAC from the PC and CD from the BluRay player. I couldn't be happier for the money spent. I'm also still using a sweet old Denon DCD-685 CD player and a ProJect Debut with Sumiko Pearl cartridge. This AXA35 + Oberon 5 combination really gets the soul of the music out of the recordings with plenty of detail, punch and very satisfying bass.

[@AdamsOlympia]

Cambridge makes some beautiful amps ..I had the CXA81 for a month ; almost decided on DALIs too before opting for Kef instead. Didn't keep the amp though, too many features I didn't need -- So I went with a $150 Fosi ZA3 that sounded just as good to me. Though maybe my ears aren't sophisticated enough yet to appreciate the subtleties of premium A/B amplification.

[@jeffsloane8628]

Steve! This is my new favorite. Great video! Folks you can’t go wrong with anything on this list, but listen to every word. When he says the ELAC UB5s need power, he is not kidding and the Maggie’s need to be way out in the room to do what they do.

[@keithaw4204]

Good stuff! Most of my gear I bought used, but I am using the Schiit Mani phono stage connected to a Technics SL 1100a w/Nagaoka MP 150 cart. Sounds superb. Thanks for all your info with these videos.

[@MikeHeller]

Nice wrap up of options, thanks for the video. I was listening in on my Magni/Modi 2 combo and Sennheiser 650s. With young twins sleeping, I can't drive any big speakers these days :)

[@mazor13]

I feel like you have a heart. A love for music. Cool video dude!

[@jlmain5777]

Nice list Steve. With some of those speakers you could be in the next level Cambridge amps. You left off the Yamaha 801 from the beginning.

[@myk1200s]

Yes Paul thanks for reaching out and the info 👍

[@adampoll4977]

Great to see someone with an office just as tidy as mine ;) Useful content for those on a realistic budget :)

[@donnystrife1908]

the outlaw and lrs imo are the most exciting on the list.

[@lgmnowkondo938]

you should keep a small pic of the speakers up on the screen as you are talking about them...

[@andrewoward]

Thanks for this. I've put off getting a system for years but I'm thinking it's now time.

[@fidelfranco9234]

Great content as always

[@robertalker652]

Living in Australia, it absolutely kills me to think of how far your dollar goes towards hifi audio compared with ours. That said, I enjoyed this video very much.

[@jonathansturm4163]

I live in Australia also (assuming Tasmania qualifies ;-). My system is perhaps twice what Steve is recommending here, but then (most of) it's nearly 20 years old. It has cost me less than the price of a cup of coffee per week. When I was first bitten by the bug in the early 1970s my system cost me the best part of three months' pay as a base grade clerk. As Steve says in the intro today, we never had it so good.

[@RennieAsh]

Depending on where you live, there's good deals to be had second hand. Especially given how everything seems to have a markup for shipping here if it's new. Or you may have to save up and try some of the local speaker brands if that's something that interests you. I think I'm lucky though that the city I live in is the perfect size for Gumtree etc.

[@jonathansturm4163]

@@RennieAsh I have a pair of Phil Vafiadis's DC-Xs and only rarely do they come up for sale second-hand even though VAF sold tens of thousands. Mine too have my cold, dead fingers award ;-) Much patience called for to acquire the really good stuff. Frustrating when it's pick-up only and the item's in QLD, NSW, or VIC and you live in TAS. Shipping from overseas has become much cheaper and easier of late. Check out shipporter.com. I expect to save ~$5,000 importing my new cooking range from the UK where they cost ~$5,000. They are well north of $10,000 here in Oz. Living in Tasmania you get used to the "cost of shipping" bullshit and I have saved heaps importing from the mainland. Even Huon Pine is cheaper imported from VIC than it is here in the Huon where it grew!

[@gottrekk5798]

It depends. Some brands like Rega, Naim, Kef, Focal, Musical fidelity, Exposure, Vincent, B&W, Primaluna cost very similar. Also AU wages are higher. + local brands with usually high quality.

[@erichoberg3502]

I had a tube pre-amp and 2x 25 watt and 2x 40 watt tube power amps built by Elson Silva in Sydney and they were very reasonably priced. And I had large Timberwolf speakers built by Adelaide Speakers at a very good price.

[@barneywee514]

thank you for your recommendation. the price range is really really awesome. It really goes out to most people. Thank you Steve! This episode got me!

[@fergusgriffin2655]

Great review with just right level of info on why each one is good and price point. no blah blah. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@solomonstewart1025]

Glad to see you mention the mini lore with its 8 inch woofer. That and the iota amp should be sweet.

[@orelove]

My thoughts exactly. -a happy IOTAVX SA3 owner

[@carloschamba4996]

Which would you recommend, I'd like to buy the pro-ject s2 for a full MQA decoding and a 300 amplifier and a 600 usd speaker to listen rock, jazz and classical, whick you recommend me?

[@orelove]

@@carloschamba4996 Only you can make the determination depending on what you value in your sound. My shortlist includes the Lore Reference, the Wharfdale Denton 85, and the new Reference B6 coming out from ELAC. One thing for certain, I won't buy anything I can't return with no questions asked.

[@AZMikey]

I love my Iotavx sa3. Great little amp.

[@bigdallyc]

Thanks for recommending amps that pair well with speakers. Invaluable info for guys like me who are ordering blind off the internet. A sincere thanks for giving me the details I want to know.

[@slumking112]

Check my post all I do is review specifications online I brought the klipsh r820f a bit pricey no on hand display specifications only.... . Wow they blew me away and I've been into audio since the eight track...but...I will day get an equalizer if you want to hear the best of the best and you can tune it to your environment..... superb and sick everyone who visits I cant wsi9to give a demo and.....I cant turn it up halfway that loud and gets clearer with more volume..

[@kohnfutner9637]

Yamaha aventage 880 and denon x3500h have good room correction software. I got the Yamaha for slightly under $600 on Amazon and the denon for $533 on eBay. I think you could pair them with just about anything decent out (Polk, elac, Klipsch, etc) and then use the room correction. I have the Klipsch 280f bi-amped and they have plenty of power.

[@MrBartender49]

Great video! I always feel better informed watching your videos! Thanks please keep up the good work!

[@HTownguy100]

Steve, great review! I’m in the market now for replacement gear. I’m sold on RR2160 but you have given me additional ideas to think about. Thank You!

[@HTownguy100]

The RR2160 is on the way!

[@dhpbear2]

11:45 - That Vista Audio looks like a hobby project from the 50's :)

[@michaelg7904]

The font is like Vincent...

[@dhpbear2]

@@michaelg7904 Vincent?

[@diggydude5229]

If you're good at vintage shopping on Ebay, try this setup: * KEF C30 bookshelf speakers with a JBL or Canton 12" passive subwoofer * 30W per channel or higher Technics "New Class A" or JVC "Super A" integrated amp or receiver * Technics linear tracking turntable with a good Audio Technica cartridge I was putting these systems together for around $500 complete a few years ago.

[@timjoling]

Will the Kef c25 be an option at €80?

[@bareknuckles2u]

Awesome video! He is so good at this: piecing together great affordable systems.

[@niptodstan]

I once went to an audiophiles house. He had an empty room with an armchair at one end and his system at the other, he put a record on and it sounded like the artist was in the room with us. Amazing.

[@TerryPullen]

Much of that is in the quality of the recording.

[@draftwood]

And the psychological effect of entering into a room layed out in that manner and dedicated just to listening.

[@bh69videa]

if not acoustically treated, such empty room must be a acoustic nightmare.

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

It's all in the armchair....

[@StCreed]

I had that experience a few years ago. I could draw a diagram and tell you exactly where every artist was standing in the recording. I was blown away. I have the same music recording at home. Doesn't get me the same result. This is what they mean by detail and soundstage, I guess.

[@grandmasterjo1]

This is the best free sermon on value for money quality audio. Thank you 🙏

[@LouMontana-wc7nr]

Steve, I am still out there pulling vintage speakers from yard sales and craigslist. One of my favorites is a pair of Electro-Voice full-range 12 speakers. No tweeters or midrange and the sound is beautiful. My most unique speaker is a pair of flyable church speakers made by OAB audio. The horns are incredible and the 15" coaxial speaker delivers a crisp mid base. They do however lack a deep base.

[@stevorcompton5289]

As the proud new owner of a pair of LRS’s just picked up after a nearly four month wait I can verify the wait was well worth it! I can also verify that these speakers need and deserve all the clean power you can provide. Most stereo receivers just do not have the grunt to bring these to their potential. I would recommend an amp that can output 200 watts or better into four ohms. I’ve only had them for two days so still experimenting but as Steve mentioned they need to be away from the back walls 3-4 ft minimum. As always, the sweet spot yields the best soundstage and so far, for me, performance drops noticeably to either side and not the ear opening experience that the sweet spot is. If you have only heard dipoles in a showroom you haven’t heard them at their best and that is in your own home!

[@PUNKXAI]

Came here for the shirt. Love it!

[@Zippezip]

Damn, I just sold my old audio system for $500 and when I bought it in the 90's it cost me over $5000. Things sure have improved price wise.

[@Wolfstanus]

Prices improved Quality dropped

[@LarsonChristopher]

Martin Logan's ElectroMotion ESL are about $2500/pr - awesome for the money.

[@mitchlee2961]

You're a man after my own heart Steve! Thanks for the heads up on the pre-amp. Just bought 2 Schiit from Amazon. Will compare to Dyna PAS, 1970s Nakamichi, McIntosh C26, Carver, and so on. Hard to know. I go for beauty, a beautiful experience. Like you. That's why you had me with this video at "magic". Magic is what I want from my machines! And I GET it. Just setup a 5.1 all 1960s surround system with Sansui SP-3500 front, 2500 center, 1500 rear and dual subwoofers front corners. First time I ever even liked Sansui loudspeakers. But I just had this feeling it would work magic-wise. Listened to Allman's Eat A Peach, Woodstock, Solti Tannhauser, Alien Resurrection, Gabor Szabo Mizrab, Peter Ivers Knight of the Blue Communion . . . Wow! SO that's what these speakers are good for. Also, in last week rebuilt Criterion 2005 (ear blasters, but great brass), Infinity Qa (polite, too polite, no authority), Dynaco A25s (smooth boom), Mirage SM-3s (Wow!), Design Acoustics D-12s (damn fine staging, actually uncanny, actually I got up to answer the door with Ry Cooder's Bop Till You Drop and Everest 35mm Flamenco, fooled me completely twice), Polk Studio 7s (bachelor pad magic snap, mid-nirvana, weird lovely bass), big Sony APMs (eek! So controlled . . . ), Jensen 25s with Technical Pro Z-15s (BIG BIG BIG), and too many other old retired amps, turntables (Technics 1200MK2, JC Penny special (fantastic table!!!), Denon L72 and, well, almost the entire history of hifi has passed through my hands and ears since this damn pandemic began, even an old acoustic Victrola (the big one, first folded horn!) which actually sounds quite good with a cactus needle (no kidding) and the doors ajar just right . . . Anyway, thanks a million for the heads up on Schiit Audio. They look like the Dyna of 2021 minus owning your own soldering iron. Live long and prosper.

[@ericheine2414]

I've been amazed at what kind of speakers you can find at yard sales. Especially high quality vintage speakers. JBL studio monitors, ADS, Bose 901s, Altec Lansing studio monitors. Children liquidating their parents stereos. There was this pathologist in town and I picked up a pair of speakers for $75. Beautiful ADS, high quality wood cabinets, with spiked stands. I bet the roughest kind of dinner music that had ever been played through them was Gershwin.

[@jeremyowens4115]

For sure! I found a marantz sr7500 and a pair of matching mach 1's for next to nothing. Not the best but definitely rocks!!

[@AlanPototsky]

I’m still rockin the Fisher 400 with Dynaco A25s and a Dual1229 turntable

[@mitchlee2961]

What a great sound! Still use A25s sometimes. Perfect mids for jazz.

[@roytasanen9720]

U can tell based on he's sence of fashion that were dealing here with an 100 precent expert geek audiophile

[@merkules2001]

Pimpin ain't easy.

[@dvtc8u]

lol kid u gotta get past the nike shirt and cap backwards. thats the meaning of a true dork. a lot of people WITH fashion sense would rock this shirt.

[@fixt100]

@@dvtc8u the difference is that you can tell a girl once told him it looked good on him (in the late 70's) and hes been rocking it ever since....

[@traderoex1]

That's funny

[@brunolamarche100]

and maybe "he's sence" of fashion is better than "he's sence" of spelling and writing.

[@mondavou9408]

I don't know who you are and I've never seen one of your videos before but I really enjoyed it. I was stuck by your authenticity and passion for the hobby. Keep up the good work although I doubt anything could stop you anyway.

[@robverhagen6338]

Thank you so much for this video. Im new to all the audio stuff and this was really helpful. Now i can look for my first 'real' audio set in 41 years haha. Greetz from the Netherlands!

[@maxwelsh6121]

Lepai 2020a , pioneer andrew jones, polk or similar small sub, use your phone or pc as the source. Excellent if not exceptional sound , around 225 dollars new.

[@motorhead16]

I would definetively recommend Heco speakers, they're just amazing for their price. For instance, you can try Heco Victa Prime 702. They sound so musical and produce absolutely no fatique, over hours of listening. Also have a very good sensitivity and don't need a very strong amp to make them "sing". Of course, a potent amplifier is always desirable in order to get the most out of any speakers. I currently run the Heco Celan Gt 902 and Wow. For 1000 euros a pair (with a substantial discount, new price 3600 euros) is really a bargain. Of course, a minimum of 2x200w is necessary to have a good sound, these speakers are quite big. ✌️

[@ManicMindTrick]

That is a good price. Did you blackmail the guy to get that price or something?

[@maxpower78-15]

These are great. Helpful hints. Food for thought

[@dannyr.8326]

Excellent content, I didn't know these things before this video. Thank you.

[@edugator2242]

You should put links to the products on Amazon so that you can get paid when people buy based on your recommendations.

[@weeverob]

Hi Steve, really enjoy your videos! In your list of speakers you didn’t mention Ohm. They have one called the Micro Walsh for $700.00. Does it belong in that list? Tx

[@wiredupretro]

It's about 6 months later, and you still have people being impacted by your presentation- Me! I may get that turntable you mentioned :)

[@DarkKnight-yc8nw]

Love your channel man. Thank you for the videos.

[@grindstone25]

Anyone else reminded of geddy lee? He even kinda sounds like him.

[@crusheverything4449]

Nah, it’s Steve Vai just back from his trip to 2065.

[@Aswaguespack]

As always excellent talking points succinctly presented with options, suggestions, and enough details to lead a viewer towards to more detailed research if you are getting the itch for a modest upgrade or just getting started without mortgaging the farm. Thanks Steve, always entertaining and stylish in the cool shirts presented. 😉😂

[@AdamsOlympia]

Love all your interesting recommendations! I actually didn't realize how great a $1200 system could be until I recently got my current hifi setup together. Fosi ZA3 amp, Kef q150 and SVS Micro 3000 sub. Phenomenal sound that'll knocked my socks off and never ceases to put a goofy smile on my face.

[@tcbmike4926]

Very nice. I recently picked up the Dennon dp 300f fully automatic turntable and upgraded the cartridge and really like it.

[@therianstrauss]

I'd love to see this kind of video on desktop audio for use with a PC.

[@WhiteBoardFinance]

I have emotiva T2s, B1s, C2, SVS PB12-NSD, Crown XLS1002, and Denon receiver. BANGS.

[@DanKaschel]

Pretty sure you went over the budget...

[@louisrobbins475]

@@DanKaschel On the Crown alone almost.

[@GrievousAngelo]

I look weird with bangs.

[@ewigerschuler3982]

That sounds like an absolute dog shit system tbh

[@victorsixtythree]

Great stuff, Steve!

[@Feefeepinkie]

Enjoying your enthusiasm and sincere reviews Steve. On your recommendation and after extensive reading I have made a UK deal on the purchase of a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers. I have the wonderful IMO Yammy 803D as source and driver and vintage Rotel 965BX CD player plus Yammy CT 1010 tuner alongside so expecting great things.My Clearaudio Emotion with Goldring 1042 MM completes the burgeoning picture.Excited.Can’t wait!. Hoping the report back a magical experience.

[@stephenmayo9573]

Absolutely one of the most useful videos in the entire library of the audiophiliac! Now, I am powering Emotiva T1s with a parasound new classic And a Modi 3 linking to Tidal. Here’s the rub. Too much speaker for the room I think. Not as clean and crisp at civilized volume, but cranked to 90%? Awesome! Also, and oddly, when used as two channels for movies? Quite nice!

[@thegroove2000]

If the system covers the core fundamentals as in capturing the very lows and the very highs and everything in-between with air space wide stereo image and detail separation with a good balance etc that play well with all styles of music from dance music to jazz then im a happy chappy

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

You’re The Greatest, Steve! I just enjoy watching fully functioning systems go about their chores, delivering fantastic transparent, and illuminating insights of some of the world’s greatest performances. Thank you 🙏 Steve.

[@Aco747lyte]

Because of space limitation and budgeting at the time, I built my audio system around 2nd hand Leak Stereo 50 from Gumtree, a new pair of Audioengine A5+'s, some nice 2nd hand silver cables, an old Thorens record deck and a Leak receiver. The speakers had built in 24-bit Dacs and sounded lovely. If you're not new to semi-high-end audio, nothing screams audiophile authority like a valve amp. Warm, gorgeous sounding glowing pieces of kit aren't out of anyone's league if money is tight if you have the nous to shop around.

[@PlateletRichGel]

Never see him and Bill Nye in same room at same time.

[@rick3747]

I have always enjoyed Steve's recommendations even if I disagree with some of them. Steve and the late Julian Hirsch are really the only two audio experts that I felt didn't talk down to you and usually make a good case for their opinions. 👍

[@alecgrolimond1678]

Thanks Steve, I got the Mytek Liberty DAC today after your video on it. I will try it out tomorrow when I find the 1/4" adapter. Oh I ordered it one week ago and it arrived 7 days later from the U.S.A. It arrived as fast or faster that local deliveries in Thailand!

[@lynnpoole7830]

I have bought at least 3 items that Steve has recommended and have never been disappointed.

[@alecgrolimond1678]

@@lynnpoole7830 I watch him daily because I trust his opinions. I am not certain I am an audiophile I just love music.

[@net_news]

great great video Steve!!! Useful even to people interested in higher price stuff like me.

[@jozefhrusecky3085]

Thannks for great vid. Can we expect 2k or 2,5k range too?

[@tylerschettler511]

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how the new Marantz NR1200 compares to the Onkyo. Love the videos! Keep ‘em coming!

[@mag290]

Also love to hear your thoughts on the Crown XLS 1502 Drivecore amplifier, maybe should be on this list?

[@cavior44]

It's more clean, detailed and rich. We tested them both for a client, didn't compare it with denon's dra-800h tho.

[@tallpaull9367]

Denon DRA-800H vs Onkyo TX-8270 is the even matchup comparison we need !

[@wilsentwins]

KEF Q350 + Onkyo a-9010 (with DAC) user here. Perfect combo !

[@jpatrickmoore5158]

It's been quite a while since I shopped for great audio equipment. The two most amazing speakers I have heard were the Ohm F Walsh driver speakers, and the Polk Audio SDA systems. The SDA 1A are in my living room and still sound amazing. Hard to drive, since you need a high current capable amp that can handle a cross-connection between channels. My HK receiver still does a capable job. I'm happy with this system.

[@kf_isher1149]

Looks like I'm an audiophile again.