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Wanted: Home Stereo for CD with radio, but NOT via Bluetooth!! Is there no other way these days?
June 3, 2019 | Lee Martell

Posted on 06/03/2019 8:17:21 PM PDT by lee martell

As the headline states, I'm looking to buy a very basic home stereo system with speakers, fm/am radio, and CD ability. I'm not tech savy, nor all that interested in delving into it, but I may not have a choice anymore. Most stereo systems sold today are intermeshed with Bluetooth. I have budgeted up to $250. for it, but hope I needn't go that high.

The model I own right now is that way, but I am able to use the CD player and the radio without going through a lot of intricate hooking up. I only plan to change because this current model is rather small, and does not provide a fuller sound of music. I'll listen to various CDs from Issac Hayes to my collection of Harp Concertos. I can tell somethings missing.

So is this just the way things are now? If you want a home stereo, you will have to deal with the fiddling it takes to connect with Bluetooth. I tried searching for 'Analog stereo systems' or 'Without Bluetooth', but it keeps coming up, unwanted, unbeckoned.

I received advice her on FR a few years ago, when I was seeking a radio with a physical Tuner knob for fm and am. I wasn't able to retrieve that posting to review for now, so here I am again. If all else fails, I'll just get one and mess around with it until I get some results. Same technique as usual. I was just hoping there was an easier more direct way to obtain what I prefer.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: audiophile; electronics; helpless; stereo; wob
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To: lee martell

I have a non-digital stereo system that I need to liquidate because I am moving to Panama. It has an AM/FM tuner, ceramic turntable, equalizer and cassette deck. There’s also a stand to house it on rollers. Speakers were sold with last move.

I live in San Antonio and am not really trying to sell it as much as save it from the junkyard.

If you live somewhere in Texas, private e-mail me if you are interested.

Orangehoof


41 posted on 06/03/2019 9:52:36 PM PDT by OrangeHoof (Trump is Making the Media Grate Again)
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To: OrangeHoof

I wish I were in Texas for that stereo, but I’m out here in Northern California. Thanks anyway.


42 posted on 06/03/2019 9:56:31 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell

Craigslist. Goodwill, Salvation Army and other thrifts in your area. Garage sales are hit-or-miss, but might yield some gems for peanuts. If you go the Craigslist route, meet at some neutral location, or check out the area before heading there and tell someone where you’re going. If you carry, bring it, and a friend who also carries, if you’re heading to someone’s home. I once headed to someone’s home, but I vetted the location beforehand. Avoid heading to someone’s home over a Craigslist item if it’s located near MLK or Malcolm X Boulevard. It’s just not worth the trouble, if things go south.


43 posted on 06/03/2019 10:00:07 PM PDT by Zhang Fei (My dad had a Delta 88. That was a car. It was like driving your living room.)
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To: Zhang Fei

I agree. I don’t do big dollar transactions via Craiglist anymore. Not where I have to meet up with people. Things have changed in the last 20 years. Muchos desperados these days.


44 posted on 06/03/2019 10:09:23 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell

Lee — you are being given a lot of good advice but many are missing the most important element of a stereo system — the speakers.

You mentioned something was missing. Yep. My recommendation is to get a used stereo system on ebay and some good separate speakers.


45 posted on 06/03/2019 10:14:05 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: lee martell

I would check craigslist in your area. Look for ‘78 through mid 80’s receiver and some good bookshelf speakers. the best stuff was made during the stereo wars from around ‘76 through mid 80’s. Speakers can be newer. Try to find one in really good original condition. Pioneer, Marantz, Technics, JBL or JVC, Sony ect...A receiver and speakers and a cd player could all be found for around $250 and all in good working shape with a little luck.


46 posted on 06/03/2019 10:24:36 PM PDT by Sheapdog (Chew the meat, spit out the bones - FUBO - Come and get me)
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To: plain talk

Yes. Hopefully, all I need will be found together. We’ll see.


47 posted on 06/03/2019 10:25:04 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: lee martell

Thank you! Have one playing in my left ear, and the other in my right. Ha! Great music.


48 posted on 06/03/2019 10:26:53 PM PDT by Fester Chugabrew
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To: lee martell

If you want it new with a warranty, I would try an audiophile store, not a regular one.


49 posted on 06/03/2019 10:37:08 PM PDT by YogicCowboy ("I am not entirely on anyone's side, because no one is entirely on mine." - J. R. R. Tolkien)
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To: Ace's Dad

I am an audiophile, have owned very expensive systems, and worked with a stereo company that showed at CES.

There are reasons one might want to avoid wireless hookups that do not necessarily make one a Luddite.


50 posted on 06/03/2019 10:41:33 PM PDT by YogicCowboy ("I am not entirely on anyone's side, because no one is entirely on mine." - J. R. R. Tolkien)
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To: YogicCowboy

There are not many physical stores like that left to visit.
Radio Shack is gone, Circuit City is gone, the neighborhood Sears and Kmarts and Mervyn’s and Crowley’s have all closed.

But there are some.
Maybe even with knowledgeable (or at least polite) salespeople.
Best Buy or Kohl’s, for instance.


51 posted on 06/03/2019 10:48:01 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: zeebee

eBay? Find it at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store.


52 posted on 06/03/2019 11:01:32 PM PDT by WASCWatch
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To: MayflowerMadam
This has Bluetooth, but I don’t use it. Wouldn’t even know how.

Just ask some neighborhood third grader and they will have you hooked up in no time.

53 posted on 06/03/2019 11:04:13 PM PDT by WASCWatch
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To: lee martell

Best Buy does not have one. For make do until find what you want used, don’t laugh, Big Lots has a AM, FM, Cd player for 20 $.

I have one on my office snd another at one of v my snobby kid’s house because they have a Bose I can’t listen to Rush on.


54 posted on 06/03/2019 11:06:31 PM PDT by amihow
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To: lee martell

Bluetooth is just an additional input method for modern stereos. It’s not “YOU HAVE TO USE BLUETOOTH TO LISTEN TO RADIO OR CD” - not at all. If you don’t want to use Bluetooth to connect to an iPhone or other device to play music over your audio system, you don’t have to. It’s another input - like phono or tape or that *horribly* advanced technology that you probably also abhor, CD!


55 posted on 06/03/2019 11:11:02 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: lee martell

Hm. We have one here that’s just collecting dust. I’ll let it go for $50 plus shipping if you become desperate.

CD (5-disc tray), radio, tape deck (2 slots), 3.5mm for external devices like phones and mp3 players. I’m 31, and I prefer most of my stuff without unnecessary tech. I do have a Bluetooth speaker that is pretty awesome and comes with a 3.5mm cable to connect to non-Bluetooth devices. Made by DKnight. On my phone, it comes up named, “Magic Box”. It’s a bit heavy on the bass, but really projects the sound as a result.

I also purposefully bought a truck with a tape deck. I’m lame, but also on purpose.


56 posted on 06/03/2019 11:13:12 PM PDT by Tacrolimus1mg (Do no harm, but take no sh!t.)
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To: YogicCowboy

Just because it has Bluetooth or other wireless connectivity doesn’t mean you are forced to use it.


57 posted on 06/03/2019 11:14:13 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: lee martell

You might inquire what’s available at the old folks home.


58 posted on 06/03/2019 11:41:46 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Eddie01

“try craigslist”

Hell yeah. If you’re patient enough, you might find exactly what you’re looking for and a pair of real speakers too.


59 posted on 06/04/2019 1:39:52 AM PDT by equaviator (There's nothing like the univ"erse to bring you down to earth.)
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To: MayflowerMadam; lee martell
Yamaha MCR-B020. Has AM, FM, USB, CD, and Bluetooth. Amazing rich sound. I love it.

It doesn't have much Bluetooth.


60 posted on 06/04/2019 1:59:36 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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