Suggestions for mini-system -- 300-400

Brian,

This is easy. DMC Electronics offers on this site an NAD L-40 factory reconditioned unit for $360. I own one. Paired with some used Paradigm Atoms or something similar this will rock. Lovan offers some 24" stands found online for $55.

The Denon system mentioned is very decent for the money, but this will smoke it. Good luck.

The nakamichi Sound Space 5 is pretty good and can be had on ebay and maybe ubid for around 500.00. It sounds pretty good and looks great.

The TEAC Reference 100 system is very good. Better still, it's available at Costco/Price Club with a diferent model number (MD90 or something like that) for under $200. You can add a sub, or replace the speakers with something larger and efficent. I bought one for my father-in-law and hooked up a pair of old Monitor Audio 300md's (big 2 way bookshelf speaker rated D, borderline C by JA in the late 80's). The sound is great, smooth, enough detail to satisfy a music lover (as opposed to an audiophile hobbiest), and nice soundstaging with classical music. Decent tuner too.

I took my Dad to the stereo shop, he hasn't a clue what he or she wants! There was a little Denon with Mission speakers for $699. For that price I could buy him a set of bookshelves and a receiver and cheapo CD player. It wouldn't be as small, but I don't think they will care.

At any rate, I don't know what they will do; he may just turn her lose at Sam's Club or something! I am probably just wasting everyone's time here.

Hi,

For his birthday, I gave my 7 year old a Sony mini system..
a CT-CP100. It was 259.00 and even though I am spoiled by
the high-end systems I have had...this little guy is easy
on the eye/ear/budget. Sonically there may be better..but
for casual listening it is quite acceptable. I am a real
estate agent, and was doing an open-house at a very large,
open new-construction listing..so I took this little guy to
play some Jazz and X-mas music..and it did a good job in
filling a very large area(again, for non-critical background
music).