The $500 challenge

[Big Wheel]

Anyone got any good ideas for what I can buy for $500 that will sound halfway decent? This will be my first real rig and I'd like to spend my dough wisely. Right now I only play CDs, so no turntable necessary.

[Stefan Wood]

An amp, a cd player, or both?

[Big Wheel]

Both, if possible. I realize that's not much at all to spend but I'm not exactly raking it in at 23 years old here.

Edited February 7, 2005 by Big Wheel

[blake]

I've had this article filed away for a couple years now. It's dated but the idea is solid. Unfortunately, the Antique Sound Labs Wave amplifier and pre-amp have been discontinued. Maybe a Google search or a note to the manufacturer will turn up a source.

Hi-fi nirvana under $1,000?

Here's another off-the-cuff thought... I wonder what this (or similar) $99 audio interface super gadget used as an hi-fi amplifier would sound like with the Paradigm speakers, cable, etc. from the first article? Class-T integrated circuit technology might be an interesting budget audio solution.

A USB audio interface with a secret life

[RDK]

You can check out Audioadvisor. I like their Cambridge products, and they regularly have clearance and/demo items on sale...

[Dmitry]

I don't want to interefere with the local gurus on what components are good or not, but if you're interested, PM me. $500 can be done!

[Chuck Nessa]

I think Paul Harvey has a recommendation. B-)

[AmirBagachelles]

I would go with a used NAD amp and CD player, maybe buy new speakers that you like and can afford. I would recommend finding some mini monitors that appeal to you and just putting them right next to where you sit, forget about high volume listening until you can spend more. I snagged one of those all-in-one NADs at closeout, I listen to some 6 yr old B&W 602s, and I am content. That whole rig or something like it has to be out there in the used mkt for $500, since the whole thing new was $850-900 I think.

[Jazzmoose]

Get a walkman and a shitload of new CDs....