Yet another home stereo thread

I have read the many home theater/stereo threads here over the years but I still can't decide what to get.

Now that I own a home and don't have to worry about pissing off apartment neighbors I think it is time for a proper stereo. The speakers on the TV are terrible.

I would like to get a receiver and speakers to use for music and TV/Movies in the living room (~200sq ft). The budget is preferably under $200. I am nowhere close to an audiophile.

Looking at craigslist there are a number of used receivers from $50-200. Are there any brands I should search out or any to avoid?

With a small room would I be fine with bookshelf speakers (they would be convenient to fit on the fireplace mantle) or will I regret not getting larger floor speakers?

TL;DR: I want a basic cheap stereo setup that is better than TV speakers.

Im using a old bookshelf system from when i was in college. Not the best, but good enough for movies and video games. Just 2 speakers on either side of the tv. Bout 12 inches tall.

Check out Goodwill. I managed to snag a Yamaha HTR-6230 Reciever for $35 a few years ago. Works great for 5.1 surround, even has HDMI switching.

I'm using some Denon bookshelf speakers that sound good right now but would love some JBL floor monitors for my 2 front units.

Other than tv, what forms what of media will you play through it? Any Vinyl, flack files, dats, cds, satellite radio, Bluetooth or teetered stream?

In reply to captdownshift:

Most of it would be coming through the computer I use for streaming video and internet. I plan on getting a turntable but that would likely be for infrequent use.

Yamaha and Onkyo would be two good brands of receiver to look for. Any decent pair of two-way bookshelf speakers should have no trouble putting the TV speakers to shame.

My local craigslist is full of used surround sound systems of varying quality. If I was shopping, I'd look at this one: https://richmond.craigslist.org/ele/5913600809.html

If your TV has enough inputs, you can use it for all our AV switching and get an audio only amplifier/receiver/thingy. You probably won't find one used for cheaper than a 5.1 or 7.1 AV receiver, so I wouldn't discount your original plan.

Bookshelf speakers are good for everything except bass. Over time, I would save up for a subwoofer to fill out your bookshelf speakers. Bookshelves + sub pretty much always beat free-standing floor speakers at most sane price levels. Around $200 gets you a solid BIC, $300 can get you an Outlaw M8, and more $$$ can get you two chicks at the same time.

I will second 1988RedT2 that Yamaha and Onkyo are good friendly receivers.
As for speakers, you can pick up used Bose stuff all the time, don't tell any of my audiophile friends I recommended Bose. Skip the stupid little cubes. They are tinny and lack in decent midrange. The sub won't fill a room better than a mouse fart.
Get some 201, 301, and X01 you can find. Bose sound great to pretty much any non-audiophile, I really think you'll be happy.

201

Skip the receiver and go straight for speakers that'll work with your setup as needed

I have used a cheap Class T amp like this one for several years with great luck. As long as you don't mind standing to change volume or can hack an IR into it. I use if for my PC amp on some Boston Acoustics satellite speakers and it sounds great.

Denon is a good brand, as well.

In reply to captdownshift:

Those look great! The $800 price tag is way above my budget though.

I just bought a Denon AVR-s710w from here because Dr Boost (IIRC) suggested it. It's refurbed, but there is a really nice feature about it, if your TV is compatible. I can turn on the tv, with the tv remote, and the receiver will turn on. Then I can turn the volume up/down on TV with the tv remote and the receiver responds. When I turn the tv off, the receiver turns off. The receiver doesn't need to visible (or in the same room) because it's communicating through the HDMI cable. If you have a TV on the wall, this is a sweet way to have the receiver hidden and not deal with IR repeaters or extra remotes.

You will still have to run wires back to where the speakers are (and purchase speakers), and run an HDMI cable that's long enough, but those can be found pretty cheap online.

I'm sure most other HDMI equipped receivers and most TVs have the CEC enabled HDMI. Apparently it will do similar things with a CEC HDMI Blu-ray player too. One remote for the win!

RossD wrote: I just bought a Denon AVR-s710w from here because Dr Boost (IIRC) suggested it. It's refurbed, but there is a really nice feature about it, if your TV is compatible. I can turn on the tv, with the tv remote, and the receiver will turn on. Then I can turn the volume up/down on TV with the tv remote and the receiver responds. When I turn the tv off, the receiver turns off. The receiver doesn't need to visible (or in the same room) because it's communicating through the HDMI cable. If you have a TV on the wall, this is a sweet way to have the receiver hidden and not deal with IR repeaters or extra remotes. You will still have to run wires back to where the speakers are (and purchase speakers), and run an HDMI cable that's long enough, but those can be found pretty cheap online. I'm sure most other HDMI equipped receivers and most TVs have the CEC enabled HDMI. Apparently it will do similar things with a CEC HDMI Blu-ray player too. One remote for the win!

Yeah, that was me that linked it. I was going to link that site in this thread but I was afraid I'd get banned for being a canoe, I've posted a link to that site a few times haha.
Nice score. I've never owned a Denon, but recommended them to lots of folks.

For (mostly) TV use, we used an old Nakamichi receiver (like 20+ years old) and some JBL Control Ones. Worked fine until we upgraded the TV and couldn't get a regular line-out from the new TV. Make sure that your TV isn't HDMI only for external amplification and has a properly working line out before spending any money...

Still using the Control Ones, IMHO they're a great speaker for the money but I was after stereo only. If you're looking for surround you're better off buying an appropriate system.

Thanks for all the input. I have been striking out at local thrift stores. I checked another one today and all they had was an old sony 2 channel receiver for $50.

The TV does have a line out.

I saw this while looking for a sub.... https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ats1200-home-theater-31-channel-digital-audio-tv-sound-stand-with-srs-surroun--185-3100

I bought a used but loved and respected Marantz receiver off ebay years ago. It's awesome but the brand might well go over your budget in short order. A quick search of did you know Goodwill has an auction site? I found quite a few used amps including some by Marantz for pennies on the dollar. Do you feel lucky?

I forgot about the goodwill auction site. Looks like some decent stuff to look through!

Anyone near SW penn?

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Sony-Discrete-7Ch-AmpDA5200ESPick-Up-Only-36110265.html

Cruise your local thrift shops, you can usually find something decent.

For example: I picked up a (presumably) non-working stereo console for $8 awhile back. It is getting gutted and new cabinet doors to become a TV stand.

On Friday, I found a pair of older Technics speakers that I am going to refinish to match. Been keeping an eye out for a 70s-era receiver and turntable. For now, I have some mid-90s Sony stuff that will suffice.

You can go with the bigger names (Marantz, Denon, Panasonic, etc.). There's enough on those brands.

The real sweet spot, IMO, are house brands/private label from places like Sears, JCPenny, and occasionally Radio Shack. A lot of times, these are produced by a well-known name with good components. You just need to know what to look for. For example, a basic receiver and a set of Radio Shack Optimus 7 bookshelf speakers are decent enough for a basic system.

If you'd like to keep it simple, go for a basic HT in a box, connect it to your TV via HDMI and call it a day. Either way, it will be a big improvement over the stock speakers.

I've never found anything electronics related at Goodwill or similar that was worth lugging out of the store.
My BIL does now and again, but he goes to the stores 3-4 times a week whem they open.

DrBoost wrote: I've never found anything electronics related at Goodwill or similar that was worth lugging out of the store. My BIL does now and again, but he goes to the stores 3-4 times a week whem they open.

All the Goodwill stuff thats decent goes to the auction site. I hit the local ones from time to time and can find decent stuff on occasion. Snagged a pair of good Technics speakers for $15, the model number escapes me at present.

I've gotten Toughbooks and such for $10-$20, got an old stereo console for $8, etc. Deals are out there, you just have to look religiously.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mCOT5YsUVOI

I'll have whatever this guy is running.

Klipsch turntable and speakers on sale for $600 through the end of the month