Complete AUDIOPHILE Hifi System under $1,000!!!

Complete AUDIOPHILE Hifi System under $1,000!!!

Cambridge AXA35 https://amzn.to/3kQHnhB $350
NAD C338 https://amzn.to/3kOBukV $700
Emotiva TA1 https://bit.ly/3kU32Fs $550
SMSL DA-9 https://amzn.to/3n1fbLI $250
Denon PMA600NE https://amzn.to/3jDygBo $450
Marantz NR1710 https://amzn.to/3zKEPaP $599
Onkyo TXNR696 https://amzn.to/3mXhAXC $650

Speakers
Jamo C93ii https://amzn.to/3yFgfXz $400 Fun, u shaped
Elac Unifi 2.0 https://amzn.to/38DnBjJ $560 but some amazon warehouse at $355
SVS Prime Bookshelves https://bit.ly/3h0rhkp $500
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 https://www.wharfedaleusa.com?sca_ref=582904.nfUgrqsNGJ
Elac Debut B6.2 https://amzn.to/3n5XryN $251

Schiit Modi $119 w/t shipping https://amzn.to/3yJKHjt
Topping EX5 https://amzn.to/3tdMLyP $350
Soncoz LAQXD1 https://bit.ly/38FFIpq $220

Amazon Music and Disney Plus Free Trial https://amzn.to/3DRAVj9

www.patreon.com/cheapaudioman

High Res Music Streaming for FREE!!!!

Amazon Music Unlimited Free Trial https://amzn.to/3fiiMPC

Test Track Playlist:
https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/24d254ee836b42dda037530f77fedc2esune?ref=dm_sh_0c0d-7fb2-b9eb-7614-9cb17
Satanic Panic Playlist:
https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/0868bb9f479846fd8b221c2a77ea2e0bsune?ref=dm_sh_d600-359c-60fe-d886-cff9a
Leg Warmers Playlist
https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/61d9b77c1995453cb76d0381c234fff1sune?ref=dm_sh_8874-d4b2-5e62-e345-82872

twitter.com/cheapaudioman

If you click on this link and sign up for a free trial I will receive a small referral fee.

If you use any of my links to purchase products I will receive a small commission on the sale of that item. Won’t cost you any more to purchase with the link.

Recommended Speaker List

Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 – $150)
Sony SSCS5 – Lively https://amzn.to/3pZNnGk
Pioneer AJ First Gen – Laid Back
Neumi BS5 -Neutral https://amzn.to/3q0SR3B

Around $200
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ – Crystal Clear and Punchy http://emotiva.com?aff=9
Elac Debut b5.2 – Neutral https://amzn.to/2WPNQxw
Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 (In and Out of Stock) – Laid Back/Bassy/Detailed https://amzn.to/37W8hPA
JBL Stage A130 – Neutral/Great All Arounder at $179 the best value https://amzn.to/3t7gOHe

Around $400
Klipsch RP600M – Neutral https://amzn.to/3pBoXCf (This speaker’s price can fluctuate between $440-630 which is really dumb)
Jamo C93ii Bit – Boosted on Top https://amzn.to/3beIG6F (Can also be found cheaper at Crutchfield)
Q Acoustics 3030i – Neutral with Punch – https://amzn.to/2OQkpLo

Around $500
SVS Prime https://bit.ly/2LozJgF
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 http://bit.ly/2ZckoD9

Around $600
Elac Uni-Fi UB5.2 – Neutral https://amzn.to/3s3srPG
Elac Debut Reference – Buttery but Detailed https://amzn.to/39bt6WC
Polk Reserve R100 – Neutral
Aperion Novus – Neutral and probably the best desktop speaker one can get $599 https://bit.ly/2Q1H9rW
Aperion Novus Open Box $449 https://bit.ly/3us8zGx
Wharfedale Diamonds Lush and Detailed https://amzn.to/3aBAso0 Come as singles

Recommended Amp List

Under $100
Aiyima A07 – Neutral and Full https://amzn.to/3g9YLNf

Around $130
SMSL AD18 – DAC/Amp Lively on top but solid tone controls https://amzn.to/3rVZxkN
SMSL SA300 $140 https://amzn.to/3u83oLs

Around $250
SMSL DA-9 Balanced Amp https://amzn.to/34SdbLs

Around $400
Emotiva TA-100 – DAC, Phono Stage, Pre Outs – Balanced and Tasty https://emotiva.com?aff=9
Vista Audio Spark http://www.vista-audio.com/products.htm

Recommended DACs

Ifi Zen DAC https://amzn.to/2T3wuyY
FX D01 https://amzn.to/3d9GY6U
SMSL SU8s https://amzn.to/2SWTGiw
Denafrips Ares 2 https://www.denafrips.com/ares

Subs

Emotiva SE8 https://emotiva.com?aff=9
Emotiva SE12 https://emotiva.com?aff=9
SVS SB1000 Pro https://bit.ly/3scmwsc

50 Comments

  1. Kelembor Bhaal on May 27, 2022 at 10:04 pm

    What do you think about IOTAVX SA3 (464,98€) + Dali Oberon 3 (599€) for just about a little more? 🙂



  2. Ian john Horwood on May 27, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    Makes me laugh AUDIOPHILE SYSTEM. If you want an un-audiophile sound quality buy the Cambridge. For your £1000 system, you will get far higher soud quality with headphones and a headphone amplifier. Any one buying a new Cambridge axa35 is just wasting their hard earned cash. There is no way you will get your so called ( AUDIOPHILE SOUND QUALITY ) from a Cambridge axa35 amplifier. In fact it will be the most un-audiophile sound quality ever. If you like pure distortion trying to drive some average sensative 87db and 4 ohm load loudspeakers go right ahead. It wouldn’t power the skin off rice pudding putting it very bluntly. All Cambridge audio’s lowest power amplifiers are absolutely awful / dreadful ever since the early days, and still no better today. You will get some sort of a sound laden with lots of distortion trying to power some average sensative loudspeakers. WHAT YOU WILL NOT GET IS THE SO CALLED AUDIOPHILE Sound. Ear bleeding harsh, messy, non understandable sound as soon as you turn the volume up.



  3. Jon McClure on May 27, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    Great channel! You can really get great sound at this price point.



  4. Brett Case on May 27, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    Have you heard the Denon 2.1 channel AVR, I believe it’s the DRH 800. Source ( streams thru HEOS ) has multiple HDMI inputs as well for around $600.



  5. VW MountainMan on May 27, 2022 at 10:09 pm

    Ok
    Stupid question –
    I’ve been out of this for afew years.
    What DAC –
    Last I knew – DAC – stood for – Digital Audio Cassette or maybe it was DAT – for – Digital Audio Tape.
    Feed me Morris – feed me !!!
    I’m taking in ALL the info I can take !!!



  6. Jed Wunderli on May 27, 2022 at 10:09 pm

    If 40 is the new 30 then $1,333, would be the new $1,000. Just saying. 🙂



  7. Gary Carnevale on May 27, 2022 at 10:11 pm

    As prices go up, cheap audio man advice is even more necessary! Keep up the good work!



  8. Rod Dickens on May 27, 2022 at 10:11 pm

    Both informative and entertaining … you have become my new YouTube channel to binge watch! Thanks for all of the effort that you put in to these posts.



  9. Nick Faller on May 27, 2022 at 10:14 pm

    I wanna see a comparison video. $3000 budget. Op1. $2500 speakers and $500 for amp, dac and sources. Op2. $500 speakers paired with $2500 worth of amp, DAC, sources.



  10. Daniel Burkhard on May 27, 2022 at 10:14 pm

    Cambridge paired with jamo s 807? does it work? reply appreciated



  11. Tiago Silva on May 27, 2022 at 10:16 pm

    Hi Randy… I’m Pedro from Portugal. I have the following system in the room: Integrated Cambridge Topaz AM10 Amplifier – 35W with SX60 Cambridge Audio monitor speakers + Cambridge DAC Magic 100 + Rega P1 turnable.
    The sound of the speakers SX60 is not completely to my taste… it doesn’t seem very clear and detailed. It has a lot of bass and low bass presence…but that’s about it. With teh amplifer Topaz AM10 it doesn’t accentuate clarity…
    The phono of the Topaz AM10 is not too bad for the Rega P1 … but nothing out of this world.
    Having said that I would like to change something or even everything, since my CD collection is no longer with me and I only want a system for vinyl plus a good resolution files + spotify + Tidal + HD amazon + etc via streamer. Just vinil a streaming good audio files via HIFI or network or bluetooth.

    From so many things I see from your reviews what could be a a good projet to me? An amplifier integrated with streamer ? New speakers, an integrated amplifier without streamer and a dedicated streamer. My budget can go up to 1200€. Very grateful and a big hug. Best regards Pedro.



  12. Antoine Paridaens on May 27, 2022 at 10:18 pm

    vroeger was het. meer geld duurder. expensive ,,, nu veel beter. goede installatie voor weinig geld.



  13. Paradigma MinimalWave on May 27, 2022 at 10:19 pm

    Recommend Arcam SA10



  14. Nandão on May 27, 2022 at 10:22 pm

    Sad to see Us’s reality is very different Brazil’s reality… Out here, every what did you say is extremely expensive! Everything you said would cost around here $10.000!…. But thanks anyway.



  15. turreu on May 27, 2022 at 10:22 pm

    cheapaudioman is going to hate my setup but: ls50 used 500euros, roksan k3 used 650 euros, chord mojo used 170 euros. = 1320 euros, if bought new 3250 euros



  16. TMacD on May 27, 2022 at 10:23 pm

    Jamos C93iis in black are @ 249 on 11/4



  17. Geoffrey de Brito on May 27, 2022 at 10:23 pm

    Not too hard to do. Here’s an alternative audiophile system.
    Audioengine Streamer – $189.00
    SM.S.L. AO200 Amplifier -$279.00
    Wharfedale 225 Bookshelf Speakers -$349.00 pair
    Elac SUB1010 10" Subwoofer -$113.00
    Total: $930.00 – all above available on amazon
    This does not include stands and cables
    Sanus leads for low priced stands
    SignalCables and Blue Jeans Cables = Quality, high value, low priced



  18. GREEN BEGINNER on May 27, 2022 at 10:23 pm

    Where’s the sources? No streamers? No turntables?



  19. P W on May 27, 2022 at 10:25 pm

    Great video! Listening to this on a Rotel separates system and (2) Pioneer AJ center channels used as L+R. Sounds great and the Pioneers were $150 for the pair on the biggest river site purchased a few weeks ago. Great for home theater/computer audio and great for music too. I also have Klipsches, Vandersteens, Revels, Omegas and Sonus fabers. But the Pioneers punch way above their weight and are a steal at the price.



  20. J M on May 27, 2022 at 10:27 pm

    What can you say about SVS soundbase paired with css audio criton speakers?



  21. J Westrik on May 27, 2022 at 10:27 pm

    I have an old NAD 320 analogue amp and like it. But the new one having chromecast means it is not gapless with Tidal streaming. (unless you mirror the phone but that is not the same).
    So far, the only option I found is the Bluesound node. (around 600 dollars) so I am still looking for options. Anyone listing to albums including live albums, classic albums, Pink Floyd would not accept any interruptions between tracks.



  22. Interlink Plus on May 27, 2022 at 10:28 pm

    For once I got real lucky. Found a decent looking receiver (and matching CD player) for $25, the front door cover was broken of so the owner considered it junk. Turns out it was a NEC AVR 1000! Had some Realistic Mach IIs since I was a kid (new surrounds installed)…WOW!! Felt bad like I stole it from her.🤐



  23. Peronnik Beijer on May 27, 2022 at 10:29 pm

    I wouldn’t call this audiophile, but these are nice choices to start the hobby



  24. Dead Diver on May 27, 2022 at 10:29 pm

    I’m currently running a Sansui 5000 receiver straight into a par of Kenwood 777s. Sounds beautiful to me. Total cost: about $60 at Goodwill. The Kenwood speakers sound better on it than my Mc XR-7 speakers do. Go figure? Oh yeah, I’m into vintage audio, as if you couldn’t tell 😀



  25. Simon Tomas Fernandez on May 27, 2022 at 10:30 pm

    It’s true the B6.2 might sound a little off at first. I don’t know if I just came to like the sound or if it really got a lot better over time. I do think Elac B6.2 are quality speakers.



  26. muzictherpy on May 27, 2022 at 10:31 pm

    Wharfedale ? oh common, they are only good for rock/pop music..



  27. Marty Jewell on May 27, 2022 at 10:33 pm

    Hate to nit-pick, but, if it has an FM tuner it ain’t an integrated amp. It’s a receiver. Just sayin’.



  28. cheapaudioman on May 27, 2022 at 10:33 pm

    Cambridge AXA35 https://amzn.to/3kQHnhB $350
    NAD C338 https://amzn.to/3kOBukV $700
    Emotiva TA1 https://bit.ly/3kU32Fs $550
    SMSL DA-9 https://amzn.to/3n1fbLI $250
    Denon PMA600NE https://amzn.to/3jDygBo $450
    Marantz NR1710 https://amzn.to/3zKEPaP $50
    Onkyo TXNR696 https://amzn.to/3mXhAXC $650

    Speakers
    Jamo C93ii https://amzn.to/3yFgfXz $400 Fun, u shaped
    Elac Unifi 2.0 https://amzn.to/38DnBjJ $560 but some amazon warehouse at $355
    SVS Prime Bookshelves https://bit.ly/3h0rhkp $500
    Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 https://www.wharfedaleusa.com?sca_ref=582904.nfUgrqsNGJ
    Elac Debut B6.2 https://amzn.to/3n5XryN $251

    Schiit Modi $119 w/t shipping https://amzn.to/3yJKHjt
    Topping EX5 https://amzn.to/3tdMLyP $350
    Soncoz LAQXD1 https://bit.ly/38FFIpq $220



  29. Oopsy Daisy on May 27, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    The SMSL DA-9 is £200 in the UK…what a bargin! Thanks for pointing his one out 🙂



  30. jimmythefish on May 27, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    I grabbed a pair of Energy Pro 22s off a family member who was going to give them to the thrift store, work great. I’m running them with a Sonos amp with a Tidal hi def account and the whole thing sounds great and is super convenient.



  31. Gonçalo Mlo on May 27, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    I’m setting my first system, already bought a pair of Klipsch RP600M, gonna buy a rega p3… but i’m struggling on the amp!! Can you give me a little advice on it? Please? Thanks!



  32. C M on May 27, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    YES Prices are going up Klipsch $749 now $829! Most Klipschies are now higher 🙁 Love the Mid-Fi stuff thanks keep it coming



  33. Anthony Walling on May 27, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    Can we all agree that the opening "Brought to you by…" on this channel is the best on YouTube! Keep them coming.



  34. Witcher3VideoGame on May 27, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    Why not the yamaha A-S301?



  35. Ken Micallef Jazz Vinyl Audiophile on May 27, 2022 at 10:42 pm

    Again, no turntable!! Damn!



  36. Another Mark Russell on May 27, 2022 at 10:44 pm

    A thousand bucks is a high end system.

    A $40 Wal-Mart set is good enough for most normal sized rooms.



  37. FRCVIDS on May 27, 2022 at 10:45 pm

    Let’s see, this was posted 6 months ago. 1200 is now the new 1000.



  38. dani cooke on May 27, 2022 at 10:46 pm

    Was Falcon Audio a real plug? I almost laughed so hard I spat out my coffee…



  39. juan manuel mancini on May 27, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    Hi Randy, which one do you recommend? I have some polk tsi 100 speakers.



  40. Kohn Futner on May 27, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    Personally I think Yamaha is warmer sounding than Denon. Denon to me sounds more v-shape to my ears. Denon brings the treble out in elac but is too bright for Klipsch.



  41. Postem Up on May 27, 2022 at 10:48 pm

    Where do I find these items?



  42. Stuee on May 27, 2022 at 10:49 pm

    Two Amazon echo studios, or two Kali lp6’s attached to a laptop.
    Audiophile quality for less than 400 quid.



  43. tomi on May 27, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    Just found the channel – excellent stuff! I’m in the market of buying a slim integrated amp that fits nicely under a TV and pairs with Amphion Argons. I have laid my eyes on Audiolab 6000a – any chance to get an audiophile class review on that?



  44. sprsk on May 27, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    Good work men ! Just a AMP suggestion, that i believe is in the top sound and build quality at 500-600 range, the Yamaha A-S701 at 160W/4Ω and 100W/8Ω. Pure direct, DAC etc … What do you think ?



  45. Donny Strife on May 27, 2022 at 10:52 pm

    To anyone looking to build a high performance system for cheap,please consider used and vintage. Speakers are hard to ship so you can find those cheap if you’re willing to drive. ADS,KLH,AR,Polk etc can be had cheap. 80’s-2000’s electronics are risky but there’s some good ones out there(I remember yamaha being very competent). Older single disc cd players can sound really good. Most 70’s silver is no longer a value but there are still a few under the radar,sure the sound is colored but can be very enjoyable!



  46. shinner65 on May 27, 2022 at 10:54 pm

    My problem is that I’m trying to set up mainly a turntable system for my bedroom and am right around $1000 but missing the key piece…an amp. I don’t know whether to go with an integrated amp that has a phono stage, or go with a phono preamp (looking at the ifi zen) and a power amp of some sort. I need an amp with bluetooth so my nvidia shield can connect letting me run sound through the bookshelf speakers (looking at Q’s 3030i speakers). It seems like the separate amp components are on the cheap end (making me question quality) and the integrated amp with phono stage is expensive. I thought about trying the ifi zen with a fosi bt20a but I wonder how good can the fosi be for $80.

    The turntable and the shield are the only 2 sources I need. I’m trying to keep the amp hardware fairly compact…I don’t want a big/heavy a/v type receiver. Been watching a lot of videos, having no luck.



  47. douglas yong on May 27, 2022 at 10:54 pm

    Elac Debut 6.2 Tower, almost gave up, and then after a couple of months, started to sound warm with jazz, fussy with positioning.. and yes, need lots of power to drive, especially with my budget class ab



  48. Kannan A on May 27, 2022 at 10:57 pm

    Hi Randy, can you suggest a good amp for audio listening, btw I HV got a pair of Q acoustics 3020i, not sure which amp to pair with.



  49. Drew Nuncio on May 27, 2022 at 10:59 pm

    I’d just like to say thank you! I got the emotiva ta1 and I love it! Made my old sony apm sound awesome.



  50. Nicola Zanasi on May 27, 2022 at 11:02 pm

    Hi Randy and all, I’m looking to add a CD player to my entry level system. What would you suggest? Maybe something smaller than standard 16” devices?
    Thanks