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.
AM Radio requires a separate antenna included and also a remote control.
Only Sony had a great receiver.
“most of my stuff is on MP3 now, but I’d like to play CDs and radio too.”
Just like me. So I copied thousands of my MP3 and WMA files from the PC to 64gb flash drives and play them on this Yamaha thing. There’s a remote control so it’s easy to toggle between the USB music, Rush at noon, and a CD that’s in it — Doobie Brothers now.
“Just ask some neighborhood third grader and they will have you hooked up in no time.”
If the day ever comes that I care about using Bluetooth, I’ll do exactly that. I have young great nieces.
btt
I have a Bose Wave that has the radio and CD capability...sounds pretty good and doesn’t take up much space - aux input sometimes makes certain TV sound better too instead of going with more expensive sound bar...
BFL
Get a Bose Wave Radio w/ CD Magazine. Small, ROCKS
Check out your local Salvation Army store or some other thrift shop.......Or check out Craig’s List
Lee — you are being given a lot of good advice but many are missing the most important element of a stereo system — the speakers.
(With the assumption the source material is good, of course!!!)
Next most important is speaker room placement, and how "hard" or "soft" the room is, acoustically, followed very closely by sufficient clean amp power (esp. if you like to listen very loud at all, once in a while, or to music that has not yet been crushed in the "loudness wars".)
If the unit you have now has a headphone output, or better yet an "Aux" output, I'd go get a small separate amp and separate speakers, and hook it to your present unit. This keeps you with "familiar" controls used most often. Parts Express has on sale right now as their "Deal of the Day" (today - move fast!!!):
or for a bigger boomin' system:
https://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-168ha-21-2x40w-mini-amplifier-1x68w-sub-output--310-308
These amps' advertised power(s) are highly overrated, but still sufficient for typical listening levels with reasonably efficient speakers (see below.)
Otherwise, see the many recommendations for a small receiver already posted. A good name (Yamaha, Technics, Sony, etc.) is the best bet.
Speakers are all over the place, but for the $$, the Dayton B652's are not bad.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair--300-652 If you miss the "Deal of the Day", try
Listen to the B652's a little off axis: The tweeter has great dispersion, but the woofer gets a bit "harsh" in the upper mids, on axis. Also, if your room is very live (few sound absorbent surfaces) these speakers are not a great choice.
Keep in mind "Hoffman's Iron Law" of bass reproduction: It's bass extension vs. enclosure size vs. efficiency (ability to play at a brisk level with modest power). Basically, if you can manage speakers with 1/4 cu. ft. or more of internal cabinet volume, that tends to help. Better explanation here:
https://sites.psu.edu/speakerdesign/2013/01/24/hoffmans-iron-laws-of-speaker-building/
Use at least 18 ga. copper (not copper clad aluminum) speaker wire, up to 20 ft. per speaker. 16 ga. if over 20 ft. ("Fine" for this little stuff.)
No, I am not affiliated in any way with Parts Express. But I have been a customer for a long time...
They sell single units like that at Walmart. I believe they carry the JBL system.
BTW, on that “fuller” sound, IF possible, listen to the speakers you are interested in on music with a low male vocal. It should sound “rich”, but not with an overbearing “uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh” sound dominating everything. (That’s too much resonance around 100 Hz - a VERY common flaw.)
Also, try speaking, yourself, and as you continue, then move your cupped hands over your mouth. Avoid the latter “hollow” sound, and “harsh” sound, at all costs, as it will cause “listener fatigue” even when you don’t really realize it.
Heartland America seems to specialize in obsolete electronics.
On most new a/v equipment bluetooth is just an additional accessory. You don’t have to use it if you don’t want to.
You should still be able to hook up your new unit and use it in the traditional way.
Looks good and has pretty good reviews:
Let me restate what you are asking.
How easy is it to learn Bluetooth? Bluetooth is a Godsend, even to my vintage system. You find an album or a collection you like on Youtube and you are off and running.
You should see the Rube Goldberg system running from our computer to TV so we can run Roku ;-)
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
Learn it yourself and you won’t have to rely on a kid. You’ll even be able to wow your friends.
Yep, and if you buy a refurbished unit you can get the “next step up” model for that price.
For instance here’s the $250 Yamaha refurbished for $185:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MF3MYJH/ref=dp_cr_wdg_tit_rfb
Lee,
Try Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. There are also vintage HIFI dealers in most areas that may have something like this. Anything made by Panasonic(MADE IN JAPAN) will probably outlive both of us.
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