6 Ways to Save Huge on Hifi and Home Theater

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Recommended Streamer

Recommended Speaker List

Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)

Around $200

Around $400

Around $500

Around $600

Recommended Amp List

Under $100

Around $130

Around $250

Around $400

Recommended DACs

Subs

[HuggyBearHikes]

My wife upgraded her cell phone awhile back cause she said her LG G8 ThinQ wouldn't keep a charge anymore. Since LG the G8 ThinQ had the best audio chips, the Quad DACs, and has headphone output at 24/192, I un installed all her Facebook, ton of games and bs, and low and behold it holds a charge. Now I have a hi quality portable DAC I can plug into the aux port on my car stereo, and Holy Cow the improvement over Bluetooth is night and day!

[spaminatord]

I bought a pro-ject tube box s2 from a guy on us audiomart. Was great! Two days later the right channel went out. 350 bucks down the toilet.

[carlsitler]

After getting back into the hifi hobby, I used 2 methods to save money. First, I researched all sources then made my decision based on my desires and budget. The other thing I did was put myself in a position where I could get lucky. I looked for retail sales, garage sales and classifieds. Being that I was successful with my homework and good luck, I've had no impulse to try and upgrade. If my investments hit the jackpot, would I buy some Tekton MOABs? Absolutely.

[bpalpha]

I can't recommend Thrift Store shopping enough! Most Thrift shops offer a power strip for testing equipment. Especially if you're just getting started or aren't concerned with ultimate fidelity. You're probably not going to find McIntosh or Marantz too often. I've passed up TWO Pioneer Elites (which were awesome), Two Sony ES models (the ones with that awesome copper chassis), and an amazing Yamaha. Amps are usually a dime a dozen. Speakers, especially in pairs, and turntables are extremely hard to come by.
I have a spectacular Denon DRA-685 stereo receiver that cost me all of $22 and it's near mint. I have TWO velodyne subwoofers and the total cost for both was $25! Subwoofers are usually common in used shops, though most of them are crap. The Denon I found is perfectly synergistic to my JBL speakers although it's powerful enough to destroy them.

[petercarter]

Just bought used Bluesound Power Node 2 for 200 and Kef LSX for 250 on FB, really happy. Love both.

[gregiep]

Thought I would share my experience, the song, blinding lights by The Weeknd, yes Weeknd🤷🏻‍♂️ is a great recording especially for checking bass on a speaker, not that I’m a big fan of the band but it’s a good song for testing speakers.

[SyzygyNoon]

I haven’t wasted my money. Thanks to you CAM.
edit: I have never felt comfortable entering someone else’s home to audition equipment, but I have to admit, that cardboard box beneath the overpass had a surprisingly welcoming feel. The area rug wasn’t overly damp, and I don’t know how, but I’m pretty sure they were getting 220 volts up ins. I didn’t ask about it. One does not intrude in these situations.

[LordWaterBottle]

10:44 Former Best Buy employee knowledge here! The additional discounting here is probably reclassifying the item to either correctly match additional damage since when it's ticket was created or "noticed" *wink wink nudge nudge*
The managers can flat dollar or percent discount items from some brands, but that has to be specifically explained and justified. System actions like adding damage to knock the item down a tier in the automated open box pricing system tend to be preferred because they are less likely to be directly questioned. This let's one feign forget if they don't want to particularly justify it, but knew it would help future sales. The company thinks very much in a single basket, not multi year, mindset currently.

[andydrangstveit]

Scratch and dent is a great way to go! My buddy bought a Audio Labs 6000A from Crutchfield as a s&d at a pretty significant discount, and we couldn’t find anything wrong with it!

[pnichols]

I buy new, from reputable dealers with factory warranties.
To much trouble at this point in my life to chase down "deals".
Last time I bought a "refurbished" piece of equipment, it had a few defects, sent it back and bought a new one with no issues. The shipping back and forth, time setting up and the having to repack and go through all the hoops isn't worth saving a few bucks for me.
I still shop for the best price etc. of course.

[MJ-gejz]

Audiogon is a good site for used equipment. I had to return a problem AMP. Ya lost out on shipping, but it worked out. FYI, try to keep shipping weights below 70 lbs. Things break easily if they are not packed well, like not using double boxed!

[BobShwartz]

I got on your recommendation klipsch rb 61ii for 239 new open box a denon avr s 66h refurbished 200 $ off Yamaha 303 cd player for 219$ list price on crutch field 379 $ and I lucked out found a bilken power conditioner from years ago in my garage only my turntable was list price fluance rt 83 350$ most of the equipment on your recommendation all with factory warranty except the speakers discontinued in 2016 thank you put it all together in the last four months 😂

[mdloops]

Worked at Best Buy 15 years ago and can confirm that employees are allowed to further discount opened or returned products if the customer makes a reasonable offer. An extra 5-10% off is possible

[ordinaryjoe]

Audio Advisor offers factory refurbished Rotel equipment. I just had a great experience with them, buying a refurbished Rotel A12 Mk II for not much more than a new A11 Mk II, making it a no brainer.

[francescotenti]

Great advice, Mr. Randy. I would never dream to go a stranger's place with money in my pocket to view/buy something. Thrift stores are another story, my 2 last findings in great shape and working fine: a Yamaha a500 integrated amp, powering now a set of vintage Advents in my garage, $40.00, and a Technics SA104, in mint conditions for $10.00, which I will use in a spare bedroom with a pair of Baby Advents II and an older TV with a Roku stick, not bad!
Congrats to 200, 000 and over!

[AdriaanW]

I like your videos a lot. Audio should be fun, that is exactly what your channel shows. Other YouTubers make it so serious, it is not fun to look at. Keep up the good work!

[alwayspushing]

Starke Sound having a BOGO sale! Received an email today 🔊🔊

[BostonMike]

I save money by designing and building my own speakers but I know most people might not have the tools or know how because it's not that easy but I have spent a lot of time learning and I use very high quality parts my speakers are built like tanks 1.25 " cabinets multiple layers. I have built a few excellent pairs but one model is amazing I never have heard a speaker that sounded so real and powerful but it's a 100 lb cabinet with 10' and that one wasn't cheap to build but I have owned $12000 speakers that can't even touch them

[odwatchguy]

All good ideas Randy. Joining your patreon and getting items from other members can also be a good source.

[AG-bpll]

This video is full of great advice. I have a lot of good stuff in my system that is used. My Oppo DVD player that plays CDs, SACDs, DVD-A, and HDCDs was $8 at Goodwill. My Sony dual cassette deck was $20 at a flea market and I spent another $20 getting new belts for the tape drives. I picked up a Polk 10" sub that ended up being new but the box had been damaged for $60 at a random thrift store. I test everything when buying it and so far have had no issues.

Best Buy open box can be a good deal too. My Sony STRDH190 I bought based on your video was close to $100 open box when I picked it up and my Audio Technica LPW30 was under $200 open box. In both cases they seemed brand new.

Closeouts is another thing I have used. My Klipsch 600-Ms were under $300 because the M-IIs came out and they discontinued the older ones. Great sounding speakers and a steal when I picked them up.