New Stereo for Less Than $200?

Can you buy a stereo for less than $200?  Would you like a totally new stereo for less than $200?  Amazingly, you can build a component stereo system for less than $200.  First, check out the Insignia brand at Best Buy.  It's the Best Buy House Brand.  This week their Insignia 5-disc CD Changer is on sale for an amazing $49.99.  It may be a tad slow in responding to remote commands, but for less than $50 it can take its time.  It's a nice basic CD changer and it sounds good.  I've reviewed it here - Stereo Component Review:  Insignia 5-Disc CD Changer

The Insignia 200W 2.0 Channel Stereo Receiver is only $129.99 at Best Buy.  It is a basic 2-channel receiver with few frills.  However, there are sellers on Amazon.com that have these basic Stereo Receivers used ("Like New") for as low as $85 including shipping.  If you are patient, it will also probably go on sale at Best Buy.

Alternatively, you could pair the Insignia CD changer with an inexpensive Pyle PT260A stereo receiver and you would be in the stereo business.  The Pyle stereo receiver costs well less than $100 and it can provide up to 50 watts per speaker at 8 ohms impedance.


So, yes, you can get a basic stereo together for less than $200.  Of course, you may have to hit Goodwill for some speakers! However, Amazon could come to the rescue again with some basic 50 Watt Monoprice Bookshelf Speakers like these for $30! They would be a perfect match for that Pyle receiver.

Our grand total for this system without shipping or wires would be about $160. $160 for a complete entry level stereo would work. Now, it won't make you an audiophile or convey any bragging right. But, it would get you started. Then, you could slowly evolve your system into something awesome as funding permits! Good luck!