Lu's Stereo Picks

All in one:

• When space and clutter needs to be kept at a minimum. Lots of brands now have All-in-one systems now. Millennials and GenZ don't like to tinker and plug wires in...
• This also gives the flexibility to add a record player if also get the "vinyl" bug.
• These are not surround sound AV systems. You can hook up a TV and get good stereo sound. Will be 100% better than any soundbar.
• You can also add subwoofer if necessary.

Good: Klipsch The Fives Powered Speaker System

• Amazon has them 50% off at the moment.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KYPGC1D/?coliid=I1ZVGZ87JKLXKL&colid=1BAFCUO5EKDEP&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Better: Klipsch The Nines Powered Speaker System ( May be my next purchase to replace living room system. ) Otherwise will get Yamaha traditional separates.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HC5GRKY/?coliid=I2Z2I92MVRQ6FR&colid=1BAFCUO5EKDEP&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Streamer is needed to play music with airplay or spotify (also an old Apple TV can do the same for Airplay... )

https://www.amazon.com/WiiM-Mini-Multiroom-Preamplifier-Assistants/dp/B09HC5GRKY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WBWPI0SGWJED&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SUs49TV-PHh3KmOny-lQzJEjN9j9spWaRvldmlEqikv8owuSTSL3hZCkDgnRgHlvmF2tKkAnny1g-53tgb_pIYXvIIFN0vllV0tu8X_bZXkJkfsdoKWervAsUmMAImjdlecsqXTOVQ5YP21u8AkdMTXyEZNW4wj1J0VtRddYgQKY8DU5tYiYjgQQUcOiydBDzBHMI_O68i6fmh5g-q2GDLkZDddfwraLC_IJtyGuAYU.Yi3WMlHRU52SlYANR8OVwEBKkDlwGa_ThZytkyUGlMc&dib_tag=se&keywords=wiim+mini&qid=1713978559&sprefix=wiim+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1

Traditional separate components and speakers:

• This is the bottom of what the Hifi world considers 'Hifi'. Just saying you have a Yamaha reciever says your serious about what you put into your ears.
• This also gives the flexibility to add a record player if also get the "vinyl" bug.
• These are not surround sound AV systems. You can hook up a TV and get decent stereo sound. Will be 100% better than any soundbar.
• These are "bookshelf" size speakers. "Towers" and "floor standing" speakers are a whole other rabbit hole I refuse to fall into.
• From here the jump to next level involves $1K+ receivers and speakers. It's a game of diminishing returns. Our old ears probably wouldn't tell the difference.

Receivers

Good: YAMAHA R-N303BL

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-N303BL-Stereo-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B074F246M9?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Better: Yamaha R-N600A

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK8M25R3/?coliid=I3TEFV4VJ11UBV&colid=1BAFCUO5EKDEP&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Speakers

Good: PSB Alpha P5

https://www.psbspeakers.com/us/alpha-p5-bookshelf

Good with style: Wharfedale - Denton 80th (Walnut) Walnut

• Hard to find since they have been replaced by Denton 85th, which are $500 more now.
  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VT9RW3Z/?coliid=I1OVEEILUR7XD2&colid=1BAFCUO5EKDEP&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Subwoofer:

• Will add low end depth to any "bookshelf" speaker. They normally can't go that low.
• Can be added to all systems on this page. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FK2WNW4/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?pd_rd_i=B07FK2WNW4&pd_rd_w=nPmTu&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=YV3H5AJJ3KJXG20RWWS2&pd_rd_wg=PtFpl&pd_rd_r=257142bc-ac47-46a8-b043-1942fc144722&s=electronics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

Micro "chifi" system: Is what I have for a desktop setup.

• Components are in the $100 to $200 range. Swapping them in and out not a big deal.
• Lots of cables, boxes and tinkering.
• No remote. Purely for "near field" enjoyment during work hours.

Pure Amp:

https://www.amazon.com/Fosi-Audio-Balanced-Amplifier-Component/dp/B0D25RP9BX

DAC: Digital to Analog converter. This is what plugs into my laptop.

https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-MQA-CD-Decoder-AK4493S-768kHz/dp/B0C1Y7C9HH/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=M7XUUW1H37VS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qvjvHEkE-q8JuNz-Eq9MB_DZSM8rMM50MbqNhQcLUfrRKbaecdj8UzQoB7M9LhslNOFZ6tBYGBTlYtYk8NGI_DqIFtJzIggRkzDwlKS2bkTFBZ9K3ac92LE4UzqUQynH_Q1_j2Ulkdk002hnfvNfPa1_Pckw2rukdk_7x3P1jbdXM9RXEuxYHCWT4HsfPKFZpAso03VZ839YFE-C7zWpPwSPWNS2ZiV3JrtVX9Y3gcE.xMPQJTLZExyxIITVuU3l62VFnKI_1Pq5hOqAB3LD9fY&dib_tag=se&keywords=smsl+su-1&qid=1713978808&sprefix=smsl+su-1%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1

preamp: Lets me control tone (trebble and base), "tubes sound"? Those little tubed pain in the ass to get in...

https://www.amazon.com/Fosi-Audio-P3-Headphone-Preamplifier/dp/B0CJBKWF43/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=PN1RS1D6M77D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sOkDSpXnlt9tyyQ8USLd6oPDiTmsjNWjgCDDS2V4Eb-FSCLp07uQB0ycVSCNgHghm8FqOBqBa0ioEEDt9zs_mkEPXF4fwP34n5BJ3D97CgQbEOzffhY-BRP8VaqZKUvt_A9rBrAR_8YxPnuFAWvz5NDZHYW3uXKtYGv6Yc4PxN0OKzgnYl2Y823KxvO-dxVnnf-wJWmYG-NTFoDTFlMZ9o-yjm0BMOiPdX8hClT0kXOwyIWQKlF0I0I_r2mLS9SJfHQJVdcH_na12ixA0YzRxsFkK5oit1tZk1b3E2hbHbY.aITTuHQ4fYdvh9yFlrEfO698Rmyq-yuIlGHWkw-gqLE&dib_tag=se&keywords=fosi+p3&qid=1713981170&s=electronics&sprefix=fosi+p3%2Celectronics%2C121&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Speakers:

see above...

Things not listed here:

Speaker wire will be needed from traditional. Subwoofer not needed right away but does make a difference once added.