# Do you still have a component stereo? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498 "2019-07-23T13:13:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/21 "2019-07-23T16:28:31Z")
I never had one in the first place. The closest thing I have to a dedicated stereo is the boom box with removable speakers I got as a high school graduation present in 1998. I have some fairly good speakers connected to my computer so I can listen to music in mp3 form through that. I basically never listen to CDs or cassettes anymore anyway. The boom box just gets used for listening to the radio. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/22 "2019-07-23T16:30:38Z")
I have a shitty old desktop that i use for input, DAC, and preamp duties. But then separate power amps for mains, sub, and surrounds. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/23 "2019-07-23T16:33:50Z")
Nope, and in a 520 sq ft apartment, there isn’t room. Plus, no chance to turn it up, this isn’t a college apartment building. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/24 "2019-07-23T17:42:42Z")
Two. The downstairs is my Klipsch Tangent floor standers, Carver amp and pre amp, Thorens turntable and Denon horizontal cassette deck. The newest piece of gear there is the Denon and I bought that in 1992. Upstairs is the home theatre: Onkyo AVR, Bryston front speakers, a pair of Orb Audios for Atmos, and Cambridge Minx for the rears. Cable box, smart tv, and Oppo Blu-Ray player are on that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/25 "2019-07-23T17:48:55Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I just got rid of mine about 6 months ago. I had a receiver, cassette deck, 5 CD player, turntable (2 actually) and 4 large speakers. All were components I had purchased separately over the years. It finally got to the point that I never turned it on anymore and couldn’t justify moving it to our new house. My son got the speakers and Goodwill got the components, although I did keep the USB turntable so I can convert vinyl to digital. The last one of any size that I had was also comprised of a receiver/amp, a cassette deck and a turntable, but I had two 300-CD carousels and a 200-CD carousel routed through a switcher. Also an equalizer, two old Klipsch 100 speakers and two new NHT tower speakers similar to [these](https://www.google.com/search?q=nht+speakers&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=klKJh1bFhwfLFM%253A%252CRypxH60aKdiz9M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRDcjBlOzC-OhwHsQRXAOGoB2twvA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSqaOYzMvjAhWHv1QKHc2TD5IQ9QEwC3oECAMQDA#imgrc=OPkkv8XALyr3rM:&vet=1). They had a built in subwoofer that could be passive or amped. I miss the crankitude on that. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/26 "2019-07-23T17:53:08Z")
I do, I don’t use it much but it’s there when I want it. I have gotten rid of the CD players (one with five disc capacity, one 300-disc carousel so that I could set it on random play and hear music for hours) because I ripped all my CDs to digital files. So I have a Yamaha receiver, a Technics turntable, and my speakers. They are a set of wood-enclosed Fisher speakers, about 12x20, that must be 45 years old. They still sound better than anything I’ve heard in a store whenever I went looking to upgrade. I suppose I’m just used to them. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/27 "2019-07-23T17:56:57Z")
Yep. Big old Denon Integrated Amp, Peavey Eq running 4 pairs of speaker LOUD. It’s on 24/7. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/28 "2019-07-23T18:38:41Z")
Yes, although the “stereo” part is pretty much now just a receiver (I do have my Blu-Ray player, which can play CDs, hooked up to it, if that counts) and five speakers. I have a cassette tape deck lying around somewhere, although I don’t think I have any cassettes for it any more; it’s not connected as there’s no room on the Ikea stand where everything else is (TV on top, receiver, Blu-Ray player, XBox, and cable box). I also have my original turntable, which is about 30 years old, but I can’t get it to work; shame, as I do have a few old LPs lying around, including an original release of the Monty Python Contractual Agreement Album (with the “Death of John Denver” track and inner sleeve). ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/29 "2019-07-23T18:48:45Z")
Yup. Everything but the turntable is ancient. I have a Bluetooth transmitter which can stream the stuff to my headphones. It is in my office, so I sometimes play the CDs I haven’t bothered ripping. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/30 "2019-07-23T19:39:13Z")
I ditched it all (minus one integrated amp and speaker set buried in a closet for ‘emergencies’) in favor of a multiroom Sonos setup. The den has the full surround plus subwoofer setup, the living room has the same minus the sub, and I have two other rooms with simple stereo pairs. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/31 "2019-07-23T19:41:07Z")
Yes, it’s not old either. I got a Denon 7.1 receiver and B&W speakers / subwoofer about 5 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/32 "2019-07-23T19:47:35Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > yes I do and, btw, some of the components were purchased almost 30 years ago through the DAK Catalog. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/33 "2019-07-23T20:13:04Z")
I still have my system in my living room, though I rarely play it. It all dates from the 80s and 90s, except for the Technics turntable, which dates from the 70s. The last component I bought was a CD duplicator. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/34 "2019-07-23T20:17:10Z")
No longer in use. Integrated amp, my “good” speakers and a small tuner are living with my father. A couple of CD players, a sub-woofer, a dual-well cassette deck, component rack and spare stereo receiver in storage. Turntable( and records )given away or inadvertently destroyed. I still use my CDs( mostly car, some computer, occasionally the blu-ray ), still have a couple of little monitors I use with my TV. I have several head-phones, including a couple of pretty nice ones. An inexpensive headphone amp or two. But, yeah those days are largely behind me. At least for now. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/35 "2019-07-24T03:25:14Z")
Yes, but none of it’s particularly old. We use it every day for watching TV in the evenings. Yamaha A/V receiver, Sony BD player (not used very often), Tivo, Roku, and a sort-of home theater PC that is my Plex server for music, but also rarely used for that purpose. A pair of large JBL speakers (the oldest components, at 15-20 years old) and a 65-inch Panasonic HDTV that’s about seven years old. No turntable of course, because VINYL SOUNDS LIKE SHIT! ---
**Author:** ![Mcmechanic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Mcmechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mcmechanic)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/36 "2019-07-24T03:36:06Z")
Yep, it’s still connected to my Sony Wega tv. Haven’t turned either on in at least 5 years, but what criminal is gonna look in a house, see a 100lb. Wega and think they’ve hit the jackpot? It’s an anti-theft device. ---
**Author:** ![sjankis630](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@sjankis630](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjankis630)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/37 "2019-07-24T04:28:50Z")
Yes I have a pretty decent setup. I have receiver, separate power amp (better power plug speakers into this directly), DVD player (used to play cds but no longer) and 2 nice bookshelf speakers. i also have a subwoofer for movies. Alas I hardly use it as it is in my bedroom and i do about 80% of all my music listening in my car on my long commute to work and home. I hate to think about it but until I get a job that allows me to work from home - and stop having to work late - I will only use it sparingly. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/38 "2019-07-24T04:46:28Z")
Yep. Started out building Dynaco separates - Tuner, Pre-amp & Power Amp) in college along with AR speakers. That evolved to Luxman Tuner & Integrated Amp, enhanced with a Dolby processor & an amp for surround channels. Current stack consists of a Denon receiver, BluRay, LaserDisc(!), HD OTA tuner, TiVo and AppleTV. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/39 "2019-07-24T05:48:21Z")
Yes. I might even have had my original Sony stereo receiver that I bought with the proceeds of my very first summer job back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, but it eventually developed some kind of problem in one channel so I was forced to buy a modern multi-channel home theater receiver. But aside from the fact that it’s used a lot with movies, it still fulfills the same role as the Sony, albeit now with a CD player or devices that stream music. I do own a nice Dual turntable but it’s packed away somewhere. I think I also have a decent Sony reel-to-reel tape deck and also a cassette deck, but I have no idea where those are. Probably in the boxes in the basement somewhere. I see no real point in trying to find them. I know that I threw out massive quantities of vinyl records at one time. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498/40 "2019-07-24T06:34:51Z")
Not only do I have a component system, I have five of them. Some parts are thirty years old, some I bought earlier this month. I’ve given up on Bluetooth speakers, even the most modest system I have outperforms any Bluetooth speaker I have heard (with the possible exception of my outdoor speakers, which are ok but not great). Chromecast Audio streamers and FLAC sources brought the older stuff I have out of retirement, and I’m loving it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-have-a-component-stereo/837498.md?page=3)