Need a new stereo or something . . .

tyr_shadowblade

tyr_shadowblade

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2006
Messages
12,689
My cheap RCA 5-disc just died. Need something new, preferably something that plays mp3 files and can store over a thousand songs and save playlists or have a random shuffle feature.

I never wanted to buy an iPod, but it looks like my only option is an iPod deck. Maybe another option is getting some decent software and hooking up speakers to my laptop. I was hoping for a stereo type thing that could store and sort an entire mp3 library but I'm not finding anything but iPod stuff. I know absolutely NOTHING about iPod stuff. Really need some advice here.

Is there any other options? Not wanting to spend more than $300 on this. Thanks.
 
IMO MP3's sound crappy compared to CD's.
Computer files may sound better than MP3's, but you still need a good sound card, at least, then the amp, speakers.
 
foxx said:
IMO MP3's sound crappy compared to CD's.
Computer files may sound better than MP3's, but you still need a good sound card, at least, then the amp, speakers.
Click to expand...

A lot of guys say vinyl sounds better than CDs too, but my ears just aren't that good. The CDs I've burned from mp3s on my old laptop sound fine to me. Just looking for a simple way to store and sort and play tunes. If someone can recommend a specific product, that would be great.
 
Hard to beat iTunes and the venerable iPod classic for ease of use...

If your MP3s sound flat just invest in a good quality Digital to Analog Converter (Crutchfield has a few) and restore all those missing bits.
 
Computer stored file's sound quality depends on format and sampling rate. If you're really concerned about quality you could use lossless format but the file size is huge. You could also increase the sampling rate to 320 or higher.

There are systems that will store your collections but they typically run over a thousand dollars for the complete set up.

Try the iPod. Both the iPod and iTunes are very simple to use and support most formats. It's within your budget and is also portable. I would suggest the Classic if you want to store music at high quality or have a lot of music to store.
 
Get the ipod... It is extremely easy and convenient to get into and learn all it has to offer. it's obviously very portable and is endlessly modular with what you can pair it up with. You will have to get music off your computer through the Itunes software (it is equally user friendly, oh so easy :) )

If you wanna save money, go on Turdbay and get a last generation one in excellent condition for less than half of what a new one costs, spend the money you saved on some nice headphones and a nice speakerdock :)

If, as you say, you won't notice high/lo quality, you will not regret it :)
 
Buy a quality Stereo Receiver that has multiple inputs for things like DVD/CD/AUG/TV blah blah blah... then just get a Headphone to RCA cable and run it through one of those inputs from your laptop. Make sure it's a quality cable like Monster Cable. I find that even my iPhone doesn't quite have the sound processing abilities as my computer does. It's not bad mind you... but it's not as clear and crisp. ipods are great for on-the-go listening... but they don't make great home audio music banks. Brands I have been pleased with in the past are Harman Kardon, Marantz, Sony, and Onkyo. I never suggest people buy an all in one bookshelf system unless they are the type that really don't care how their music sounds and just want SOMETHING. Bookshelf systems rarely give you any control over the tone of the music. A powerful receiver + EQ + Computer + your favorite speakers... now we're talking.
 
I agree with Infi-del A stereo/surround sound receiver with your choice of speakers works great!! I started out with an Entry level Yamaha Home Theater in a box. It came with a decent Receiver and 6 speakers. Am still using the 8" sub woofer but upgraded the front book shelves to klipsch B-20's the center to Klipsch C-10 and the rears are 8" 3 way Yamaha's. The rears don't sound as good as the Klipsch's up front, but they aren't for high quality sound, just base and back ground sounds.

What I'm getting at is, You can start 100% from scratch or get a descent receiver with speakers and upgrade later. Right now my computer is hooked to the Receiver via a Digital Coax cable. When I lived up north and had a TV, it, my room mate's X-Box, PS2 and Wii were all attached + the computer. Some receivers have dedicated hookups for Ipods, Turn tables and other auxiliary devices.
 
I actually piece together my speakers as well. You'd be amazed how very basic the drivers in some of your most expensive home speakers can be. You can often build or buy a speaker cabinet and fill it with much higher quality drivers if you use some car audio components. I have a pair of JBL cabinets that are made for two 6.5" drivers with a horn in the middle (they're tower cabinets). I replaced them with two Diamond Audio 6.5" component midbass drivers and MB Quart 2" tweets with 24DB passive crossovers and kept the horns, they sounded better than the Bose 901 flagship speakers I had before them. And they cost half as much.

Although to the above poster... let me say Klipsch is some fine gear.
 
or you could attach a decent amp and speakers to your dvd player . you can fit a ton of albums onto 1 disposable dvd disc. cheap duke box.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top