I bought the unifi 2.0 floor standing for $375 each open box. Not a scratch on them. I took your word and NRD’s too. So glad I did. They replaced some PSB bookshelfs that I loved for their musicality. The 2.0 floorstanders may have opened up a whole GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) wormhole. Love your reviews!
Maybe a dumb question, but i'm looking for a streamer that will noticably outperform a smartphone/desktop computer. Preferably in the $100-$300 range. Is this possible? Or should I spend a bit more and go for a $600,- one?
Topping E30 DAC - 140.00 Aiyima A07 amp - 80.00 Emotiva B1+ - 240.00 Puts you under $500, you could add an SVS SB1000 pro! Might even be able to get a Sith Audio tuning fork thrown in and stay under 1 grand 😂 Thanks for the great content!
Great, funny & informative video, I've been using the Denon PMA 800 amp & DCD 800 cd player for months, this combo never gets any mentions, no Bluetooth, no sub output, just big, smooth detailed sound even at low volumes, great alternative to v curve marantz gear.
To anyone looking to build a high performance system for cheap,please consider used and vintage. Speakers are hard to ship so you can find those cheap if you're willing to drive. ADS,KLH,AR,Polk etc can be had cheap. 80's-2000's electronics are risky but there's some good ones out there(I remember yamaha being very competent). Older single disc cd players can sound really good. Most 70's silver is no longer a value but there are still a few under the radar,sure the sound is colored but can be very enjoyable!
used receivers 2x Yamaha RX-461 for $70. Used wharfedale diamond 225 bookshelves, diamond 230 towers, diamond 220c center with double binding posts for less than 500 bux. One receiver drives bookshelves and center tweeter, other receiver drives floor speakers and center woofers...... the wharfedales sound amazing when you use both binding posts, very clear at high volume. They don't need any subwoofer - the floors go down to 40hz and bookshelves down to 45.
I'm currently running a Sansui 5000 receiver straight into a par of Kenwood 777s. Sounds beautiful to me. Total cost: about $60 at Goodwill. The Kenwood speakers sound better on it than my Mc XR-7 speakers do. Go figure? Oh yeah, I'm into vintage audio, as if you couldn't tell 😀
My $1000 speaker system is an SMSL AD18 driving a pair of JBL Studio 580 towers cvs those each stand on a Dayton Audio 12" powered subwoofer. I paid $115 for the AD18 on Drop, I think. I got an online coupon for parts express and one of the subs was open box, so I paid about $230 for the pair. I picked up the JBLs for $600 on the 2020 Father's day sale. My system rocks. Keeping an eye on JBL for deals is my single best piece of advice. They often sell studio series speakers 50-60+% off. My group of friends have since bought three pairs of 530s and two pairs of 590s. Everyone loves them!
@@joeslacker1020 Wow, this was an old comment you found! I've since upgraded with a TA-1 and then upgraded that with a Schiit Vidar. This has been a big improvement. I would suggest skipping the TA-1 though. Get a PT-1 and a more powerful amp. A2 would probably be fine and the Vidar is definitely very good.
I had the AXA35 for a year and a half before I sold it and upgraded to a Rega amp. The AXA35 is the best sounding amp you can get for the money, I loved how it sounded and only sold it because I got a great time limited deal on the Rega. I used it with a pair of Dali Oberon 5 speakers rated at 6ohm and the 35W were always enough and plentiful, it never sounded strained even at very loud volumes.
@@harrycallahan712 it's the Rega Elex-R, amazing amp, and I still have the Oberons which I love to death. But if I hadn't had such a nice deal on the Rega (€869) I'd still be very happy with the AXA35.
Emotiva=winning at affordable audio. LOVE my XPA3 front stage amp, granted it’s a hair over $1200, but still 🤷♂️ had the bassX line previously and it’s almost more impressive because of price.
I've had a lot of audio stuff over the years and NAD is always the best value. The turntable that they made in the 80s is way better than any similar priced tables made today.
I grabbed a pair of Energy Pro 22s off a family member who was going to give them to the thrift store, work great. I’m running them with a Sonos amp with a Tidal hi def account and the whole thing sounds great and is super convenient.
I totally understand the point here, the budget. But knowing what I know about people who get into audio (that they like to upgrade), I would recommend spending most of that 1k budget on the speakers and living with an inexpensive dac/amp until you can upgrade later. I've always thought speakers were my biggest upgrade. If I had 8k to spend, I'd much rather spend 6k on speakers and 2k on amps than 6k on amps and 2k on speakers. I personally think there's typically a bigger audible difference between a 6k speaker and a 2k speaker than there is between a 6k amp and a 2k amp. Speaking for those on a tight budget, I think you can happily live with Emotiva, Outlaw, or Monolith amps and give up on the McIntosh, Mark Levinson, and Pass Labs of the world if it allows you to buy better speakers and that will get you more bang for your buck. For example, if I had to chooss between the two following combinations 1. An Emotiva A2 amp and Emotiva PT1 preamp ($850) and a pair of Revel F208 speakers ($5,000) or 2. A McIntosh MA5300 integrated amp ($5,500) and a pair of the Wharfedale Diamond 11.3 tower speaker ($700), I would go with combination 1 all day every day with the bulk of the money going towards the speakers. I think option 1 gets you the far superior sound. YMMV.
Randy I love your videos, but I've got a suggestion for when you do multi product videos like this. You've got this large open area in the upper right corner. It would really awesome to put up a picture of the thing you are currently talking about in this space. I tend to multitask while watching videos, so when I jump back to see what you're talking about I really have no frame of reference. Anyway, that would be cool but you keep doing you. Cheers!
Both informative and entertaining ... you have become my new RU-vid channel to binge watch! Thanks for all of the effort that you put in to these posts.
I mostly stream Qobuz from my desktop. Here's what I selected for my computer. Reisong A-10 tube amp: $450 w/shipping. Only 6 watts/channel, but great w/efficient speakers. If you're tube-curious and have high-efficiency speakers, it's worth a look. Zen DAC V2 ($159). Great little DAC/headset amp combo Klipsch RB 61 II speakers: $300 on Ebay. 95db sensitivity. They're great with the Reisong amp. Perlesmith speaker stands: $90 Total: $998 I added a pair of Hifiman Sundara headphones ($350), and downloaded and installed Equalizer APO (free) on my computer. At some point, I may add an Emotiva Airmotiv SE8 subwoofer ($299), but for now, I'm delighted with my setup.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend the Cambridge. At least, not when you can get a full a/v receiver for about the same price. The Denon S540BT has double the power with half the harmonic distortion. It also has a really good dac with tuning options, inputs for HDMI, optical, coax, subwoofer outputs, etc. Oh and did I mention it does surround sound?
there were a couple of receivers I recommended. lot of products out there. I just chose the ones that I have personal experience with. I wish I could listen to everything out there.
Gonna get me a Falcon Audio Chicken Hawk music storage device for $417.16! A real deal! Thanks Randy. And it's an audiophile device! I can tell stories about HDD's which have crashed. OnTrack couldn't recover files from my 2TB HDD! Not good!🤔
Hi Randy, I used to have this setup under $1000. Rotel A10 + Elac Debut 6.2 and Allo Boss Player. It was a good set up. Upgraded to Rotel A11 tribute and Wharfedale Lintons now. But still using the Allo Boss Player. I still love the Rotel A10 looks and clarity. Thanks for this review. More of these kind please 🙂 Cheers
Great video! Listening to this on a Rotel separates system and (2) Pioneer AJ center channels used as L+R. Sounds great and the Pioneers were $150 for the pair on the biggest river site purchased a few weeks ago. Great for home theater/computer audio and great for music too. I also have Klipsches, Vandersteens, Revels, Omegas and Sonus fabers. But the Pioneers punch way above their weight and are a steal at the price.
Hey Rand! Great Video! I just got my new hi-fi system 3 days ago, and I'm loving it. I got the new Emotiva BasX TA1, and a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 12.2. I'm using my old trusty Sony Blueray player while I wait for the NAD C 538 CD player to be back in stock. Simple, wonderful rig. Thanks, man! Cheers!
Onkyo TX NR 696 is the only THX certified receiver you covered. And more power than the Marantz 1710 so when you say thinner, I question that. Its also a 2019 model. Better off with the Onkyo TX NR595 / a 7.1 receiver, 80 wpc with 2 speakers driven into 8 ohms. And its $349.00 at Costco right now.
The Cambridge AXR85 receiver is as nice as the AXA35, and has an FM tuner for $400, and it has tone controls, just like the AXA25 and 35. The NAD 338 has no tone controls, but the 316, at $450, does. There's also the Yamaha S310 amp for $350, and, for stereo receivers, there's the Sony DH190 for $169, Yamaha RS202, also $169, Onkyo TX8220 for $249, and the Yamaha RN303, for $330. For AV receivers, there are models from Sony, Yamaha, Denon, and Onkyo under $500
Elac Debut 6.2 Tower, almost gave up, and then after a couple of months, started to sound warm with jazz, fussy with positioning.. and yes, need lots of power to drive, especially with my budget class ab
Couldn't watch with coffee this AM we are under a boil water order in Philly.. so. Rocked a monster and you sold me on a modi on the drive to work. I would also like to apologize for my comment on your live stream when I mentioned the and justice for all album just doesn't sound that great on a lot of systems. I gave the remaster a listen with the unifi 2.0 and the sub going and it was all smiles. Lars is what got me a second bass drum back in the day. One on headbangers ball changed my life and it was double bass always and forever after that
Huh. I just got an AXA35 for my second system/personal TV room. Paired with modi3+ to my Samsung TV. Powering fluance towers. The axa35 has a flatter response than my 20 year old Yamaha and controls the bass a bit better.
Hi Randy... I'm Pedro from Portugal. I have the following system in the room: Integrated Cambridge Topaz AM10 Amplifier - 35W with SX60 Cambridge Audio monitor speakers + Cambridge DAC Magic 100 + Rega P1 turnable. The sound of the speakers SX60 is not completely to my taste... it doesn't seem very clear and detailed. It has a lot of bass and low bass presence...but that's about it. With teh amplifer Topaz AM10 it doesn't accentuate clarity... The phono of the Topaz AM10 is not too bad for the Rega P1 ... but nothing out of this world. Having said that I would like to change something or even everything, since my CD collection is no longer with me and I only want a system for vinyl plus a good resolution files + spotify + Tidal + HD amazon + etc via streamer. Just vinil a streaming good audio files via HIFI or network or bluetooth. From so many things I see from your reviews what could be a a good projet to me? An amplifier integrated with streamer ? New speakers, an integrated amplifier without streamer and a dedicated streamer. My budget can go up to 1200€. Very grateful and a big hug. Best regards Pedro.
Would love to see you revisit these videos, see if you'd change anything given new releases, new speakers, new dacs, new amps, or any of the recent sith audio releases. Maybe a Christmas 2022 edition. They're great because it hells balance how much I should spend in speakers vs Amp vs other components.
Kind of video i like and you're good at. A bit surprised you didn't include the Q accoustics 3030i, one of your standing recommendations and comes in at around $400
Thanks for the new hole in my wallet! After watching your videos I got an Aiyima a07 and Aiyima t8 to power some Bose 901s with an eq from deer creek audio. This all sounds fantastic and for under $600.
This was an awesome video! These types of vids "system under $500" or "system under $1000" or "system under $300" are absolutely fantastic and offer soo much valuable content. Especially with the right person doing them. I'd like to take a stab at this one. Emotiva BAS XTA1 (I need digital inputs for audio from TV & Blu-Ray/4K player and a beefy toroidal transformer in my life) ($549), Emotiva SE8 ($300 for a superb sealed subwoofer), and finally the Sony SSC5 speakers ($118) for a total of $968 (before tax). THIS system would be sweet!!!!
Very nice recommendation! And if you ever get bored with the Sony speakers, you could do the GR Research crossover/wiring upgrade. I was thinking about doing it as a little side project.
@@bobbyroush3511 before purchasing the Sony speakers, I spent about a year auditioning bookshelf speakers, giving myself a budget of 800 dollars. I listened to everything I could and nothing made my fall in love. I almost gave up and was just going to keep my definitive technology pro monitor 100s. I took a chance on the Sony s and could not be happier. I later bought the wharefdale diamond 11.2s, and love those as well. But the Sony s are in my current rotation until we move and I can set up a more private listening space and finally open up my Marantz PM7000N. The Sonys currently are running off of a Marantz NR1606 receiver and pair well. I'd love to try that crossover upgrade.
Randy you're like an Audio Guru for everyday people - you rock! I love your reviews and trust your opinions. Looking for some advice on an int amp. I have a carpeted office about 11x14 and use Klipsch RP500s (LOVE them). Currently using a vintage Fischer 175 from 68-69 (beautiful w jazz). Looking to expand. I'm interested in the Reisong A12 since I've always wanted Tubes. But your Emotiva review here has me wondering if that may present a better soundstage. Any advice?
I wanna see a comparison video. $3000 budget. Op1. $2500 speakers and $500 for amp, dac and sources. Op2. $500 speakers paired with $2500 worth of amp, DAC, sources.
I started with my phone and Swann m300 speakers. I think they were $529. Impossible to beat. The thing was, powerd speakers limited the inevitable upscaling I didn't see coming. I should have taken my own advice - Buy what you want, it's cheaper than buying it all!
I have the onkyo 696. Been pretty happy with it. Surround is pretty good. I had a Yamaha and like this (onkyo) way more than the yammy. I have not hooked up the klipsch 600m’s to this yet. I got the 600’s during the 377 sale. Helluva speaker.
So in reply to your introduction. I’m already sitting down, cup of coffee in hand already. Now going to listen to what’s up on a one grand system. Lets do this.
It's true the B6.2 might sound a little off at first. I don't know if I just came to like the sound or if it really got a lot better over time. I do think Elac B6.2 are quality speakers.
Just put a audio engine a2+ in my living room since my stereo is downstairs. $269 plus tax and let the Bluetooth ride. Fantastic, no but very very good.
I have the ONKYO TX-NR696. It’s no serious slouch for music and it is a good “all-in-one” alternative to separates. I don’t have the space, money, or patience to deal with separates.
For once I got real lucky. Found a decent looking receiver (and matching CD player) for $25, the front door cover was broken of so the owner considered it junk. Turns out it was a NEC AVR 1000! Had some Realistic Mach IIs since I was a kid (new surrounds installed)...WOW!! Felt bad like I stole it from her.🤐
25 STATEMENTS BY 25 AUDIOPHILES If you had under1,000 hours to live, like the price point of Randy's Audiophile system, (that's around 40 days) what would you do "audiophile wise," and what would be your last statement? There have been many famous statements throughout recorded history. "I have but one life to live for my country"-Patrick Henry, or was that Nathan Hale?. W.C Fields had someone engrave on his tombstone "Better Here Than Philadelphia." I guess they couldn't fit "And Pittsburgh Makes Me Cough". Then there are lesser known statements like a prison inmate, irate over his last meal. He shouted down the halls heading for the chamber, "I asked for Spaghettio's and I got Spaghetti." What would you do audiophile wise in your last days and what would be your final statement? We kept total anonymity on the answerers and answers. Here's what they said. "I shoulda given digital a better chance." "I was once rich and now it's my audio dealer who's rich." "What the hell was I thinking all these years?" "I should have kept my old Marantz tube gear. It's worth a fortune now." "My main thing, is I fear not having enough time to get revenge on my enemies." "I could have bought great cables when they only cost a few hundred bucks." "I spent all my money on wine, women and audio equipment. The rest I wasted." "I wished I never tried to move my really heavy power amp." "I would move to Florida, not far from Disney World." "I wish I would have never worried or cared about sound quality in the least." "After the divorce, all I got is my 78's. "Revenge on my enemies is my main concern. Or should I forgive em' all? No, there's too many." "I'd go to every major league baseball ball park and check out the sound system between innings." "I'll never know what a class A amplifier sounds like now." "I wouldn't have gone by reviews. I should have listened for myself. I saved some money on gas though." "After the divorce my wife sold my "former" audio equipment to the private investigators sneaky photographer." "Looking back on it, all I ever really wanted from life was to sit on the beach with my boom box and eat hot dogs every day." "I wish I hadn't ever heard of total harmonic distortion." "I wish I knew exactly where my enemies live." "I wish I would have never hired that maid that dusted my turntable and ruined my expensive phono cartridge." "I wish I knew where my former Audio Salon owner lives." "I would laughingly tell all my creditors that I won't owe them a cent soon. I'm in high end audio country now baby." "I would move to Europe and not care anything about sound." "Pure Class A amps cost too much electricity." "I won't have to worry about what my electricity bill is now."
I had the Wharfedale Diamond 220's for a few years and never truly fell in love with them. The sound always seemed a bit congested...lacking excitement. I eventually sold them and got the Elac Debut B6.2 and these are head and shoulders above the Wharfedale's...IMHO.
Good work men ! Just a AMP suggestion, that i believe is in the top sound and build quality at 500-600 range, the Yamaha A-S701 at 160W/4Ω and 100W/8Ω. Pure direct, DAC etc ... What do you think ?
I have an old NAD 320 analogue amp and like it. But the new one having chromecast means it is not gapless with Tidal streaming. (unless you mirror the phone but that is not the same). So far, the only option I found is the Bluesound node. (around 600 dollars) so I am still looking for options. Anyone listing to albums including live albums, classic albums, Pink Floyd would not accept any interruptions between tracks.
Sorry, but I tried the Cambridge axa35, and was very disappointed. It sounded worse than my old cd-receiver from Marantz mcr610, besides there was a lot of static noise in my speakers, which I never heard with my marantz. And absolutely no bass punch, the phono stage was worse than my build-in preamp atlp120. Totally waste of money. Glad I sold it .
Is it Chicken Audio Falcon Hawk or Falcon Audio Chicken Hawk? On your videos I have heard you say it both ways. Speaking of two different versions I was trying to think of titles of albums (exact titles) that have been used by two different artists. Apparently copyright laws governing titles of things are not so strict. I've thought of about a dozen so far, and they include: *Grace Under Pressure- Rush AND John Scofield *Thriller-Michael Jackson AND Lamb chop *Bridge Over Troubled Water- Simon & Garfunkel AND Buck Owens *The Times They Are A Changin' - Bob Dylan AND Burl Ives. Of course a real brain teaser is what album titles were released by 3 different artists? I can think of two examples. A real hard one. Here's one. What famous jazz horn player and jazz pianist released albums with the exact same title. I have a made in Japan UHQR CD version of one of them. The cd's are made of a different material that is better for stamping the pits that the CD laser reads. Sounds great! Maybe on this or on your live broadcasts, you can throw some audio and music trivia questions in there. It would give it more of a live immediate feel, as people would text in with their guesses, right after you throw out questions to the audience, and give it more interesting-ness. I can think up questions where it would be hard for cheaters to look up the answers anywhere. You could even have a live broadcast with nothing but trivia questions about audio & music from time to time. There was a guy on the radio, who would come on every Friday and Saturday night and the whole show was him throwing out trivia questions to the listeners and they would call in and guess the answers. Most of their answers were not right, but often humorous. It was a big hit. One of my favorites was: What national landmark moves 4 feet every year?
I feel sceptical about how good a better amp will be. I heard a massive sound improvement with a Schiit Fulla, but for some reason, I don't think my Elacs ub5 can improve massively...
Fill your soul with happiness...is there a more apt description of listening.. Really listening to music,? I think we get caught up in the gear so much, we lose touch with the magic , sometimes. Thank you. Peace ✌
Everyone knows the engineers at Chickenhawk revolutionized storage of digital bits on magnetic media. I can't wait til that tech catches on in other industries!
I'm well accomplished at putting together a 'Music Lover's' mid-fi system for under $1000. I'm a music lover not an audiophile, though I am indeed super interested in fine audio gear. Okay then, now go ahead with your show.
