# I just want to buy a goddam stereo. Little help? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989 "2012-12-04T19:51:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/1 "2012-12-04T19:51:28Z")
I just want a stereo. Not 5.1 or 7.1 or 2.1. Just left and right channels. It doesn’t need a radio, or any video capabilities. I don’t care if it has those things, but I don’t want to pay for the whole she-bang if I don’t need to. Given current wiring, I’d like it to have a coaxial digital input (which may be throwing things off). It should be powerful enough to easily drive a pair of [Polk Monitor 40s](http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-AM4025-A-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0002ZSFTQ) (there is no subwoofer), and clean enough to enjoy a range of music while paying a bit more than moderate (but not exacting) attention. And, of course, since I don’t want to spend more than $100–$200. Simple? Hah. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/2 "2012-12-04T20:04:37Z")
Try Ebay. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/3 "2012-12-04T20:06:51Z")
So do you just want a 2 channel amp like [this](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_773DIABLUE/NuForce-Dia-Blue.html?tp=34948)? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/4 "2012-12-04T20:52:02Z")
What do you want it to play? CDs? Records? iPod? If you want it to connect to your TV and be a pass-through from your tv to your speakers, I don’t think “a stereo” is right. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/5 "2012-12-04T20:57:39Z")
Amazon has plenty of stereos. They’re much smaller than they were 30 years ago. Mini Shelf systems are nice. Cd Player, AM/FM, and a IPad Dock really nice for $120 > **[Amazon.com: Sony MHCEC709iP Mini Hi-Fi Shelf System (Discontinued by...](https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MHCEC709iP-System-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B003IBB9CG)** > > Product Description Combining versatility with functionality, the MHC-EC709iP mini Hi-Fi music system fills your room with high-quality audio while taking up minimal space. Play CDs, listen to AM/FM radio, or use the built-in dock to control... This Yamaha Micro Component system for $250 is really hi fidelity. My Yamaha Amp from 1985 weighed 18 lbs and was 5 times bigger. It’s amazing what they are selling these days. > **[Amazon.com: Yamaha MCR-040WH Micro Component System (White) (Discontinued by...](https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MCR-040WH-Component-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B002UXQKIQ)** > > Product Description Yamaha MCR-040WH Micro Component System In White From the Manufacturer The Yamaha MCR-040/140: A Lifelong Music Partner Cool looking, great sounding The perfect system for every music lover We want... ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/6 "2012-12-04T21:04:01Z")
Perhaps you’re looking for a [gramophone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSINO6MKtco). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/7 "2012-12-04T21:20:32Z")
I sympathize with the OP. I don’t give a crap about 5.1, 7.1 or whatever junk they have now either. I want stereo. 2 speakers, minimum of 150 Watts RMS Peak wattage. Thats enough to drive my woofer. I’m sick to death with technology making stuff complicated. It’s a stereo for gosh sake. FWIW we had Quad Stereo in 1977. A huge flop because it was a PITA to setup 4 speakers in a room. The modern surround music systems? No Thanks. Been there, done that. I do love the new micro speakers. They are amazing. I put a Logictech Z623 Subwoofer system in my bedroom. Speaker on a shelf on each side of my bed. I plug my mp3 player into it and get great sound. > **[Amazon.com: Logitech Z623 400 Watt Home Speaker System, 2.1 Speaker System -...](https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Z623-Watt-Speaker-System/dp/B003VAHYTG)** > > Product Description Logitech Speaker system Z623 with THX-certified 2.1 system delivers big, bold sound with 200 watts (RMS) of power-from your music, movies, and games. From the Manufacturer Compatibility ... ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/8 "2012-12-04T21:52:28Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > What do you want it to play? CDs? Records? iPod? > > If you want it to connect to your TV and be a pass-through from your tv to your speakers, I don’t think “a stereo” is right. Listening environment is the kitchen. We have a 27" wall-mounted HP TouchSmart that streams lossless music from our server or CDs or lossy via Rhapsody/MP3s (the PC is where the digital coax comes from). We love to cook together and individually, so spend a lot of time there. We also entertain in the attached kitchenette, and the current setup easily reaches the dining room. Most of the time it’ll be background music, but I’m in there alone often enough such that I’m paying attention to the sound. Another obvious limiter is the dishes–I can’t well listen to DSotM without having to buy new china, and at a certain point any rattle would be enough to undercut higher quality components. But nonetheless, things are pretty solid in the cabinets so I’m looking for something that can provide the requisite umph when we want it. I guess the best gauge is the Polks–they’re not quite audiophile-calibre, but very good nonetheless. > [@zoid](#): > > So do you just want a 2 channel amp like [this](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_773DIABLUE/NuForce-Dia-Blue.html?tp=34948)? Those look interesting–particularly their small size. I was on their page when a chat window popped up. I chatted with Crutchfield for a bit, and it turns out “that NuFord is only 18 watts RMS at 8 ohms. Therefore, it would not work well with your speakers at all. It’s more designed for some really small speakers that don’t demand much power.” Okay then. I think \*\*aceplace57 \*\*understands. I actually have a four-speaker setup in the parlour. I have a 5.1 setup in the theater. Both of those systems are fairly sophisticated and match the rooms. This is for the kitchen. I want good, clean sound. I want to drive a pair of pretty good speakers. Video is taken care of. CD player and streaming audio is taken care of. Post-processing effects are useless. I don’t want to emulate a sound stage. I just. Want. The. funk. Give. Us. The. Funk. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/9 "2012-12-04T22:11:57Z")
I got tired of it all and use a 4 channel stereo PA…for computer. tv. and disc player. I think I was soundteck150 bucks. with a headphone preamp…50 bucs. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/10 "2012-12-04T22:12:27Z")
Those Mini Shelf systems are really nice for kitchens or bedrooms. I don’t see them much in local stores, but they are easily found on the Internet. New Egg has a really good selection of home audio components. They even sell Klipsch. I’ve dreamed of a pair of Klipsch horns since the 1980’s but never had the money. > **[Home Audio Theater | Newegg.com](https://www.newegg.com/Home-Audio/Category/ID-31)** > > Improve your listening experience with a personalized home audio theater system. With a variety of speaker styles, big sound is available in every size room. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/11 "2012-12-04T22:31:49Z")
I just bought a Yamaha receiver from [Crutchfield](http://www.crutchfield.com/S-rYnAVYfkBkg/g_356350/Stereo-Receivers.html). It came today (ordered it last Thursday) and I haven’t hooked it up yet. This was the first time I bought from them but they’ve been around a long time. You should be able to find something there. I got [this](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RS700/Yamaha-R-S700.html?tp=179) one. I know that’s more than you want to spend. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/12 "2012-12-04T22:43:39Z")
These are really nice stereo amps > **[Amazon.com: Harman Kardon HK 3390 80W Stereo Receiver (Discontinued by...](https://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-3390-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00198BOAM)** > > Product Description In the years since Harman Kardon engineers invented the high-fidelity receiver, we have taken to heart the philosophy of bringing the joy of home entertainment to as many people as possible, all the while improving... Onkyo also makes good stereos > **[Amazon.com: Onkyo TX-8255 Stereo Receiver (Discontinued by Manufacturer) :...](https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8255-Receiver-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001AMSPQI)** > > From the Manufacturer From the Manufacturer Onkyo's TX-8255 A/V Stereo Receiver: Getting Back to the Basics for the Sake of Audio Quality While new technologies come and go, the fundamentals of competent receiver design remain constant. It... I don’t think that you are going to get a coaxial digital input on a stereo system ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/13 "2012-12-05T06:12:04Z")
What an interesting, small world. Our parlour speakers are driven by a Harman/Kardon HK 3390–the exact model **Scoobysnax** linked to. The theatre isn’t over the top, but pretty nice: an Onkyo SR-707 and a collection of Infinity TSS-1200 speakers. I can’t remember the model of the Yamaha that failed years ago, but they make great units. My hope for a coax digital input on the receiver is that from what I’ve gathered, I’d rather not use the DAC built into the HP. I’m not sure that’s legitimate or the same as having been told I ‘needed’ high-end speaker or HDMI cables. If there’s minimal difference, my options definitely open up. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/14 "2012-12-07T08:13:28Z")
Since my needs are so limited, what are the downsides to going from the S/PDIF through a DAC to an amp (e.g. [AudioSource AMP-100](http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)) to the speakers? Are there substantial differences between DACs? Given that all signal processing will be done on the PC, do I care about a pre-amp? ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/15 "2012-12-07T14:40:12Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Since my needs are so limited, what are the downsides to going from the S/PDIF through a DAC to an amp (e.g. [AudioSource AMP-100](http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)) to the speakers? > > Are there substantial differences between DACs? > > Given that all signal processing will be done on the PC, do I care about a pre-amp? I’d just use a [USB DAC](http://www.crutchfield.com/p_773UDAC2S/NuForce-uDAC-2-Silver.html?tp=48510) to the power amp. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/16 "2012-12-07T15:04:07Z")
If you’re looking to tinker, or want something quirky, I’ve really been tempted by the [Lepai LP-2020A+](http://reviews.cnet.com/amplifiers-preamps-processors/lepai-lp-2020a/4505-7871_7-35190789.html). But I’m not sure if the RCA inputs or 3.5mm input will work for you. Can’t beat the price, though - $20! ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-want-to-buy-a-goddam-stereo-little-help/642989/17 "2012-12-07T15:56:36Z")
[This is an interesting amp](http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-383)