A new challenge! What's the best system you can build for under $500?

BadassBob

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As an ode to the $1000 system thread, let us see what we can do at the $500 and below price point. No used gear, this is for all new gear. DIY is allowed, but there is a catch, it must be in a retail kit form and contain all parts necessary to build a finished ready-to-use component. There is a lot out there, and nice results can be had on an almost beer budget. Mind you, all $500 doesn't have to be used towards the system, that is just the limit. I think we can make some pretty respectable systems for $500 or less. Carry on :D :smoke:
 
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As an ode to the $1000 system thread, let us see what we can do at the $500 and below price point. No DIY or used, this is for all new gear. There is a lot out there, and nice results can be had on an almost beer budget. Mind you, all $1000 doesn't have to be used, that is just the limit. I think we can make some pretty respectable systems for $500 or less. Carry on :D :smoke:

Can you clarify. You say $500 and below no DIY or used. Then you say, all $1000 doesn't have to be used, that is just the limit. :scratch2:

cubdog
 
Can you clarify. You say $500 and below no DIY or used. Then you say, all $1000 doesn't have to be used, that is just the limit. :scratch2:

cubdog

Fixed, I still had that other thread on my mind :D. I also added provisions for DIY gear. The amount used means one doesn't have to use the whole $500.
 
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Any limits on sources etc?

All from Amazon:

Sherwood RX-4109 $125
Pioneer SP-BS-22 $100
Audio Technica AP-LP120 $250 (incl AT-95E cart)

Total $475

You could use the $25 for some interconnects and speaker wire and come in right at $500.

Or, for another $35 (total $510) you can add a Behringer UCA-222 DAC and stream from your computer (which might have an optical drive in it, so you can also get CD/DVD/maybe BlueRay sound).

Or you could buy a pair of Vifa tweeters and a couple 3.9uf caps and upgrade the BS22s a little.
 
I'll play.

YJ TPA3116 integrated. 2.1. — $50 on EBay
Pioneer SP-BS22- LR's — $97 on Amazon
Pioneer SW-8MK2 — $147 on Amazon
Dragonfly USB DAC — $119 on Amazon
Cables from Blue Jeans Cables — $87

Everyone here has a computer as a source for the DAC.

$500. Boom.

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This challenge may be more interesting than the $1000 challenge. There is so much really fine affordable gear and speakers available the combinations below $1000 are almost endless. It get's a little trickier although still very doable at the $500 mark. This should prove to be very interesting.

I do wish there was a way to include lightly used gear. Maybe a 5 years old limit max. I understand why it's not feasible in the context of this challenge but it would open the door for such items like $300 DACs that you can buy gently used for half price. A good DAC combined with a PC and a pair of speakers can be a killer combination.

Carry on this should be fun.

cubdog
 
PSB Alpha B1 - $299.99 (Audio Advisor)
SMSL TPA3116 - $79.99 (eBay)
Hifimediy Sabre USB Async DAC - $59.99 (Hifimediy)
Monoprice 6ft 3.5mm to RCA cable - $2.97 (Monoprice)
Monoprice CL2 12/2 wire 50ft - $16.91 (Monoprice)
Monoprice banana plugs - $8.30 (Monoprice)

$468.15
 
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Yamaha A-S300 Integrated Amp- $265.00 (Amazon)
Dayton Audio B652-AIR Speakers- $60.00 (Parts Express)
Teac CD-P650B CD Player- $130.00 (Amazon)
Monoprice 1.5 ft Interconnect- $5.00 (Monoprice)
50 Ft Monoprice 14 AWG Speaker Wire- $13.00 (Monoprice)

$473.00
 
For getting into vinyl:

U-turn turntable: $179 - direct from U-Turn
Schiit Mani phono pre: $129 - direct from Schiit
SMSL SA-60 TPA3116 amp: $80 - amazon.com
Dayton Audio B562-AIR speakers: $60 - Parts Express

Total: $448 -- Put the remaining $52 toward interconnects, speaker wire, a record brush, and a new LP or a few used ones.
 
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This is more fun than 1k system.

From Amazon,
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR $96.99
TEAC CD-P650B CD Player with USB and iPod Digital Interface $129.99
Pioneer SW-8MK2 A.Jones 100W Powered Subwoofer $96.99
Mediabridge ULTRA Subwoofer Cable (8 Feet) Dual Shielded with Gold Plated Connectors $9.99

TEAC AG-790 AM/FM Stereo Receiver w/Remote 100 WPC$119.99 (Parts Express)

AudioQuest FLX/SLiP 14/4 Speaker Cable $1.68 x 7.5' pair= $25.20 (Audio Advisor)

KnuKonceptz eKs-BP BFA Gold Plated Banana Plugs New Old Stock $5 4 Pack x 2 = $10 ( eBay)
KnuKonceptz Krystal OFC Twisted Pair Triple Shielded 2 Channel RCA Cable 1M $10.49 (eBay)

$499.64
Everything is base on 11/29/14 price.
 
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Infinity Primus P163 - $171.98 (Crutchfield)
Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1 - $149.99 (Maverick Audio)
Dayton APA100 power amp - $99.80 (Parts Express)
Monoprice 3ft interconnects - $2.98 (Monoprice)
Monoprice CL2 12/2 wire 50ft - $16.91 (Monoprice)
Monoprice banana plugs - $8.30 (Monoprice)

$449.96, the other $50 could go towards a nice tube or two for the DAC :yes:
 
Fostex FE103En P1000E DIY speaker kit - $138.59 (Madisound)
Miniwatt N3 SE EL84 amp - $189.00 (eBay)
Schiit Modi - $99.99 (Schiit)
20AWG 50ft thermostat wire - $10 (Home Depot)
Pagea 1M USB 2.0 cable - $29.99 (Amazon)
Audioquest Evergreen 0.6M interconnect - $31.75 (Amazon)

$499.32, a nice introduction to SET :yes:
 
NHT SuperOne 2.1 (currently on sale directly from NHT at $250.00/pair)
Sony STR-DH 130 stereo receiver (90 watts/channel, on sale directly from Sony for $100.00)
TEAC CD-P650 CD player ($130.00 at amazon.com)

$480.00 total
 
Monitor Audio BX-1 - $278.00 (Audio Advisor)
SMSL TPA3116 - $79.99 (eBay)
SMSL Sanskrit USB DAC - $100 (eBay)
Monoprice 1.5ft interconnect - $2.35 (Monoprice)
Monoprice 10pk Banana Plugs - $8.30 (Monoprice)
Monoprice 50ft 12/2 in-wall speaker wire - $16.91

$485.55, could be a fun one :D
 
An interesting option for small rooms: Vanatoo Transparent Ones; powered, DSP-corrected mini speakers, $499. Just add a USB cable from your PC.

http://noaudiophile.com/Vanatoo_Transparent_One/

What would it take to best these speakers in a small bedroom or even small living room setup? Well, a hell of a setup. We are talking about above average speakers with ridiculously designed crossovers, maybe a kit from Zaph Audio. Then you would need the accompanying gear, a very nice balanced DAC and preamp to get close to the noise floor of these speakers, and a then a good clean class D amp. And if you want to match them for size you definitely would need a subwoofer added to that list. All that and you may still fall short.
 
Fostex FE103En P1000E DIY speaker kit - $138.59 (Madisound)
Miniwatt N3 SE EL84 amp - $189.00 (eBay)
Schiit Modi - $99.99 (Schiit)
20AWG 50ft thermostat wire - $10 (Home Depot)
Pagea 1M USB 2.0 cable - $29.99 (Amazon)
Audioquest Evergreen 0.6M interconnect - $31.75 (Amazon)

$499.32, a nice introduction to SET :yes:

This would make a nice little home office setup. Hmmm...
 
Yamaha MCR-N560. Apparently available for less then $500 if you hunt around online. Great sound. CD player built in. Built in 24/192 DAC. Oh, and a tuner too.


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