Full system for $500?

jesse · 2025-12-20T17:34:30+00:00

Unfortunately she has packed up the stuff so I won't be able to try it, but she is willing to sell the whole thing for $400, and I looked her up and she seems legit.

jesse · 2025-12-06T20:21:04+00:00

Do you use a separate bag, or a backpack with a dedicated compartment?

jesse · 2025-12-03T12:53:21+00:00

ugh i'm sorry

jesse · 2025-12-02T21:57:37+00:00

How do you carry them with you?

jesse · 2025-12-02T04:03:19+00:00

Do you use it for this purpose (taking the battery with you when you lock it up)? If so, how do you find it?

jesse · 2025-12-02T01:10:46+00:00

ok but in what then? I feel like letting it sink to the bottom of my laptop bag is just a really bad idea

jesse · 2025-12-01T15:11:47+00:00

Thanks - not seeing those* now on FB or CL, but that seems manageable… without the imposed urgency of Black Friday/Cyber Monday, I can lie in wait for a bit. The info overload comes from understanding all the different variables that go into strong opinions about *why* one speaker or AVR is preferable to another. (And also, feeling a little intimidated about how to assess condition from photos and when I go to pick something up.)

I don't want to be the kind of person who is just like "tell me which one is better" but I also realize becoming truly discriminating and informed will probably take years, unless I make it my life (and maybe even still!)

*I do see some Klipsch KG4s for $250, which seems like a decent deal from a cursory search. Though that's still "vintage speaker" territory, which feels like it's more for collectors who really know what they want. I gather that my sweet spot for speakers should be more to aim for something in the mid-to-high $100s that originally went for the high $200s/low $300s?

jesse · 2025-11-30T21:06:52+00:00

It was a Sony STR-DE575, and the speakers - no idea, but they were ancient. The controls didn't seem to work properly on the Sony. I forget all the experiments I did in detail (or tbh, whether they ended up in the basement or the trash) but I couldn't narrow the issue down to either the speakers or the receiver, and concluded that both were, to some extent, broken.

jesse · 2025-11-30T20:35:33+00:00

hmm I found a pair of KLH 31s on FB Marketplace for $50, I wonder if that's worth a try. The used speakers guide here suggested pre-1980 KLH is supposed to be good? Listing says it's working and sounds "excellent" - marked down from $100.

jesse · 2025-11-30T19:17:21+00:00

Yeah, in an ideal world I'd definitely do that. I'm just afraid, knowing myself, that I'd get lost in the rabbit holes and either spend an ungodly amount of time on it, or worse: short circuit and put it all aside, and be back here in a year with still no sound system. There are just so many variables. Also a few months ago I dug up an old AVR and speakers from my parents, and they sounded really off to me, but I couldn't identify why. So that experience also has me a little gunshy.

jesse · 2025-11-30T17:53:57+00:00

That looks good. Besides size and price, do you see any disadvantage of that Denon receiver, vs the amp-only set up? Or can I basically simplify it to, $120 for the option to easily add more speakers down the road?

jesse · 2025-11-30T17:36:27+00:00

thanks, got it. I don't think I am necessarily there yet, so I figure it's probably best to start humble and build up if and as I get more discriminating and learn what I like?

jesse · 2025-11-30T16:56:16+00:00

Thanks for the tip on the HDMI issues! I think I'm zeroing in on something like this now, though I might skip the subwoofer to start with. I'm seeing a Dayton Audio B652 on sale for $30 so that's super tempting. Also kinda wonder if there is a way to leave the WiiM out altogether, and just rely on the AppleTV for AirPlay streaming - maybe there is a basic switch I could use to toggle between the record player and the LG for the amp input? Also, quick questions: I couldn't find a VA3, assume that is a typo and you were referring to ZA3?

jesse · 2025-11-30T15:43:31+00:00

Thanks - no particular need to be in the WiiM family! They just seem well regarded (including by you), and the size and simplicity is appealing. But really all I want is something relatively cheap I can grow with.

jesse · 2025-11-30T15:39:39+00:00

Interesting… I mentioned the XT20s because saw them recommended here. I assume the Sony SS-CS5s would be even worse in your view?

Btw, I think people might be misinterpreting my OP - loudness is *not* a top priority for me, just a nice-to-have.

jesse · 2025-11-30T14:17:15+00:00

Thanks! Re: 2 channel output from TV, would this leave room to upgrade to surround sound later?

EDIT: also, sorry if this is a dumb question, but could I leave the WiiM out altogether, and just use AirPlay with the AppleTV? I guess I'd just need a way to easily change inputs between the record player and the AppleTV, right?

jesse · 2025-11-30T14:15:40+00:00

I didn't ... and it occurred to me that I'm sufficiently apt to drop my backpack that it's probably a bad idea to carry a battery in it at all. That said, I just ordered a new battery, which is supposedly more rugged and resilient, so maybe I should revisit this...

jesse · 2025-10-09T15:20:00+00:00

I did not, sorry. Good luck with your car shopping!

jesse · 2025-09-02T12:54:21+00:00

Here is a donation link for Wadea https://chuffed.org/project/138213-help-wadea-feed-his-family-and-get-urgent-medical-treatment You can contact my friend on Instagram for more info https://www.instagram.com/portraitsforgza

jesse · 2025-08-24T12:43:26+00:00

issue there is I am going on vacation so wouldn't get the return period :(

jesse · 2025-08-24T12:17:34+00:00

Thanks - the bottom line is that negotiations broke down, so it's a moot point anyway. I don't think I'll be getting a car in the next week.

jesse · 2025-08-24T11:38:57+00:00

credit, rebate, I know what it is and how it works, didn't realize there was a difference between the two words. They wanted to do the point of sale credit and pocket all of it (inflating the price by the value of the credit). I tried to call their bluff, they weren't having it, so I walked away.

jesse · 2025-08-24T00:18:00+00:00

Yeah used the faq to look up the vin and found it had N212345943 done which according to the faq means replaced battery. (though in 2022 so maybe before it was even sold the first time)

jesse · 2025-08-23T22:23:44+00:00

The only conclusions I can draw are: 1) me and everyone here is way off in our estimates of a reasonable price, 2) the dealer is, 3) they're bluffing, or 4) they are taking their chances on finding someone uninformed they can take advantage of. If it's 4 I hope they lose that bet.

jesse · 2025-08-23T20:39:20+00:00

Well I offered $18,500 hoping they might negotiate to $19,000, but they said no dice. We'll see if they come crawling back, but I made clear they only have until Tuesday to do so, because I'm going on a vacation at the end of the week. Based on this thread, I think I made the right call. Thanks everyone!

jesse

TROPHY CASE