[junodog4]

I've been poking around at hi-fi stores, looking at stereo equipment. Bang and Olufsen seems amazing, but the price tag is insane. Just wondering if anyone had any advice on affordable quality? Makes? Set ups? I'd be looking for an upgraded turntable, CD player, system and speakers (enough to fill a room, but not shake the plaster off the walls). I'm not really after home theatre. Any tips? Where should I look?

[Bork]

I got a NAD amplifier and love it. Probably not the stuff for equipment nerds but good quality and enough to let the whole neighborhood listen in. For speakers I have a set of Dali's (Concept something, I think). They're good at a fair price.

[Jackwc]

As far as speakers go, check out the Neuhaus Labs t-1 and t-2 models. Those fuckers really rock the house, with fidelity to boot.
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A dick that's bigger than the sun.

Music sucks. Check out my favourite movies, fam:
http://letterboxd.com/jackiegigantic/

[RFNAPLES]

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RCD-N7

Denon RCD-N7 Network Ready Receiver/CD Wi-Fi Network Streaming AM/FM/CD Player With Integrated iPod Dock

Suggested Retail Price: $599.99

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Compact Integrated Disc Player With AM/FM, iPod & iPhone Playback
The ideal personal desktop audio system, the RCD-N7 features a dock for quick and easy connection to your iPod or iPhone. The integrated dock lets you listen to your favorite music tracks, and the CD player also features WMA, MP3 and lossless FLAC playback capability, as well as compatibility with CD-R and CD-RW disc formats. The system features a powerful 65 watts per channel, and connects to the speakers via audiophile grade multi-way loudspeaker connectors.

Enjoy Music From Around The Globe
The RCD-N7 features internet radio with more than 12,000 stations to choose from Pandora as well as Denon’s vTuner services, and it also features Napster and Rhapsody subscription music services. You’ll enjoy a wealth of music choices in addition to listening to your own music library on your iPod or iPhone. With the available Denon Remote App, you can control the system from an iPhone or iPod touch.

Quick And Easy Connection To The Internet
The RCD-N7 is equipped with dual internet connection methods. There’s an RJ-45 LAN port for direct wired connection to your home network, and there’s also the built-in Wi-Fi feature that includes Wi-Fi Protected Setup for safe and secure connection to your wireless home network. The RCD-N7 is also DLNA-certified which provides access to music tracks on your multi-media home PC.

Choose Your Own Speakers
Denon decided to make the matching SC-N7 speakers optional. While they’re an ideal match sonically and aesthetically to the RCD-N7, you can choose to match the RCD-N7 with your own speakers, either a pair of standalone bookshelf types, or perhaps you’d prefer to mate the RCD-N7 with in-wall speakers. Either way, the choice is yours.

SC-N7 Speaker System

Optional Speaker System to Match RCD-N7, Matches the RCD-N7 Wi-Fi Streaming Network AM/FM/CD Player

Suggested Retail Price: $199.99

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Compact And Stylish
The perfect match to the RCD-N7 Wi-Fi Streaming Network AM/FM/CD Player, the SC-N7 speaker system is both stylish and compact, and features a distinctive grille-less design that combines great aesthetics along with the highest audio clarity possible.

European Tuned Sound Quality
For optimum fidelity and natural tonal balance, the SC-N7 features European acoustic tuning, along with a smooth wideband response for optimum fidelity with wide range sources such as 24 bit/96 kHz FLAC music tracks.

120 mm Bass-mid Driver
For the best deep bass response along with a smooth, uncolored midrange, the SC-N7 features their exclusive D.D.L. (Denon Double Layer) cone technology. D.D.L ensures that during passages with extended deep bass content, the midrange is free from coloration caused by cone break-up, a common malady with ordinary single layer cone driver technology.

25 mm Soft Dome Tweeter
Treble frequencies are reproduced with detail, air and transparency, aided by the 25 mm driver’s extended response to 45 kHz, which provides optimum fidelity with wideband music tracks such as 24/96 FLAC.

Denon Electronics (USA) LLC, 100 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2041. Tel: (201) 762-6500. Fax: (201) 762-6670. Web: usa.denon.com.
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[junodog4]

Lots of info Naples - Thanks... I found a local dealer who has it. Why do you like them so much? Anyone else vouch for them?

Bork + Jack - I will have a look - thanks!

Anyone else? Suggestions of models/brands/dealers?

[RFNAPLES]

They are recommended by Stereophile Magazine. See http://www.stereophile.com/content/fifth-element-68
_________________
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by RFNAPLES
Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Mus...y RFNAPLES

[junodog4]

Thanks - great article. However, I'd still like your personal experience and perspective...

[RFNAPLES]

I prefer Home Theater!
_________________
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by RFNAPLES
Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Mus...y RFNAPLES

[junodog4]

Thanks... I can't afford home theatre. ...yet

[RFNAPLES]

Sure you can:

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DHT-1312BA 5.1ch A/V Receiver, HDMI 1.4a 4In/1Out 3D Ready, Acoustically matched 5.1 channel Boston Acoustics speaker package, Discrete Power Amps

Suggested Retail Price: $599.99

DHT1312BA Home Theater System At a Glance:

Denon AV receiver paired with six Boston Acoustic speakers for immersive surround sound

Equal power amp receiver design with five discrete 75-watt* channels

HDMI v1.4a supports all 3D formats

Four HDMI inputs for added connectivity

GUI overlay and remote control for easy operation

Backed by a two-year warranty

Add immersive, 5.1 surround sound to your home theater with the Denon DHT1312BA Home Theater System. This powerful system pairs an AVR-1312 receiver with five speakers and a subwoofer to create a cinematic and detailed soundstage. The receiver supports high-resolution audio formats--including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD--for a dynamic surround-sound listening experience. Fully compatible with HDMI v1.4a and 3D media, the receiver serves as a quality foundation for your home theater system.

Five-Piece Speaker System for Cinema-Quality Sound
The Denon DHT1312BA Home Theater System comes with a six-piece speaker set from Boston Acoustics. The set includes four satellite speakers, one center speaker, and one down-firing subwoofer, which have been optimized for use with one another. When connected to the AVR-1312 receiver, the speakers produce a dramatic, expansive soundstage. The subwoofer features BassTrac circuitry, which delivers tight, precise bass response by eliminating low-frequency distortions. In addition, the speakers feature a diffracting architecture that is designed to fill every corner of your room with sound.

Premium Audio Technologies Create Convincing Soundstage
The Denon AVR-1312 receiver is outfitted with several audio technologies to ensure an immersive surround sound experience. With equal power amp design, each of the receiver's five 75-watt channels is powered by its own discrete circuitry. This allows the receiver to reproduce original sounds more faithfully than those which use integrated circuits. In addition, the receiver fully supports the latest Blu-ray audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These formats play back sound with exceptional fidelity and provide a more realistic soundstage.

Receiver Offers Full HD Support
With four HDMI inputs, the AVR-1312 allows you to route multiple high-definition devices--like game consoles and Blu-ray players--to your TV. It also allows you to connect all of your devices to your TV with a single HDMI cable, reducing cable clutter.

Vivid 3D Visuals with HDMI v1.4a
With the advent of 3D media, it is important to own a receiver that recognizes 3D video signals. Thankfully, the AVR-1312 is 3D-ready: it passes through 3D signals from your Blu-ray player, ensuring that the 3D effect doesn't get lost in translation. It also recognizes signals from 3D television broadcasts.

The AVR-1312 comes equipped with HDMI v1.4a, which gives you access to premium video features. These include Deep Color and x.v.Color support, two color standards that can display a larger color range than standard-definition schemes. The result is a more lifelike, vibrant picture.

Denon receiver and five-piece Boston Acoustics speaker system bring theater-quality sound to your living room. View larger

Connect up to four HDMI devices like Blu-ray players, DVD players, or game consoles. View larger

Stereo Mini Jack and iPod Connectivity
With the front-side stereo mini jack, the AVR-1312 supports audio playback from any portable audio player. This receiver can also be used with the Denon Networked Control Dock (sold separately) for network streaming or docking your iPod/iPhone. A compressed audio restorer guarantees that standard MP3 playback is crisp and clear.

GUI Overlay and Remote Control for Simple Operation
With its intuitive button layout, the AVR-1312 is designed for ease of use. The front panel is smartly organized, featuring clearly labeled buttons and onboard controls for volume and source. In addition, its on-screen display provides quick information about your system's settings. The included remote control gives you flexibility in controlling your home theater.

The Denon DHT1312BA Home Theater System is backed by a two-year warranty.

Package Contents
AVR-1312 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver, four satellite speakers, one center speaker, one subwoofer, remote control, AA batteries, AM loop antenna, FM indoor antenna, and owner's manual

*75 watts per channel (20Hz-20kHz, 8 ohms, .08% THD), 110 watts per channel (1kHz, 6 ohms)

TALK TO AN EXPERT Call 855-MY.DENON 9-8pm EST

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LG BD670 3D-Capable Blu-ray Disc™ Player with Smart TV and Wireless Connectivity
$199.99 MSRP!

Smart TV Access
3D Blu-ray Disc™ & Blu-ray Disc™ 1080p Playback
Blu-ray Disc™ 1080p Playback
Wi-Fi® Capable

Disc Playback Capability: Blu-ray™ Disc, BD-R/RE, DVD, DVD±R/RW, Audio CD, CD-R/RW

Video Content Format: DivX®/DivX HD, MPEG4 AVC, HP@L4.1, MPEG2, HP@ML, SMPTE VC1, AP@L3, MPEG2, HP@ML, AVCHD, MKV

Same Total Price as the Stereo
_________________
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Bubbling Under The Top 100 Greatest Mus...y RFNAPLES