What is a good stereo or 2.1 sound system?

Question

I am not an audio enthusiast or audiophile, but I can tell the difference between good sound and great sound. Mostly I will listen to CD (quality) digital music, and use the speakers for TV and Bluray/DVD usage. Sort of like home theatre, but audio focused.

Currently, I have a Bang & Olufsen CD-Tape player with integrated speakers. They sound fantastic, as they did cost a pretty penny. I actually don't know how much it costs since my parents bought it a long time ago. But even this awesome piece of machinery is showing age and wear. As for my TV, I recently bought a super-slim Toshiba with murder-quality audio, and for my PC I have some Dell surround 5.1 system that sounds worse than the compact BO. Decent though.

So what should I upgrade to? I am looking for some quality stereo, and I hope that a moderately priced real system can provide better sound than my ancient BO combo. But what do I need? Stero + amp + preamp + reciever + player or some combo of those wierd words? Oh, and please make it a system that I can use with a normal power plug, no custom power please.

Finally, all I want is really good sound. Nothing over the top with hour long custom tweaking or something. Please give me a simple system that can sound great without audiophile skill needed. As for price, I have no idea, but I'd like to stay in the three digits category, but 2,500 is the absolute max if it is really necessary. Oh, and preferably Japanese, since I'm biased like that. Or European with some fancy name. Nothing made in China or USA. Ignore the last three points.

mark_hensley@sbcglobal.net · Answer

A few brands to consider; Onkyo andd Integra brand both Japanese sourced.  Wharfedale as well as Bowers and Wilkes speakers out of England. Peachtree or Wadi for ipod docking station. Wadi is sourced from an Arabic country, can't say which country its built though. I am not sure of Peachtree's origin's but this brand may very well be an exception to your rule.  These brands are well within your price range and well beyond.

What makes a good stereo system is the unit's ability to influence an emotional shift in the room through music. The music sounds organic even tempting instead of metallic or narrow, instead space is noticeable between instruments as if on stage, a back and foreground coupled with visualization of the music as one listens.  It should be an experience instead of an event, a phenomena that brings greater clarity to the senses. The rub of finger tips from a guitar solo, the tappets opening and closing on a trumpet, a mezzo soprano holding a note few could ever hope to mimic in life, but its their and consistent to the musician's vocal chords, first then performance on stage. A good stereo sound stage has the real potential to be preeminent, notably better than others. Outstanding.  If you can gather these facts by either letter or listening, buy it. 

Enjoy

AVDADDY · Answer

Marantz MM7025 Stereo Power Amplifier, with a pair of B & W DM601 Series II Bookshelf Speakers. Add an OPPO BDP-103 Universal 3D Blu-ray Disc Player. Your ears will love you.

? · Answer

Neither, i'd propose searching for a encompass sound cabable A/V receiver (5.a million or 7.a million) which incorporate an Onkyo or a Denon and then purchase a speaker set for it, which incorporate Polk Audio, alongside with a astounding subwoofer, which incorporate a Sony. do not settle for a house theater in-a-field, build your guy or woman in case you prefer to have the ultimate sound high quality! and of direction, do not overlook a spool of speaker cord!

Melv H · Answer

Total price $2066,

NAD C326BEE Integrated Amplifier, $549,

http://www.wwstereo.com/NAD-Electronics/C-326BEE

PSB IMAGE B6 Bookshelf Speaker, $550,

http://www.wwstereo.com/PSB/IMAGEB6CH

Marantz CD5004 Compact Disc Player, $349,

http://www.wwstereo.com/Marantz/CD5004

SANUS SF-30B Speaker Stands, $119,

http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-SF-30B-Steel-Speaker/dp/B0006885FS/

SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer, $499,

http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb-1000

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What is a good stereo or 2.1 sound system?

4 Answers