The Ergonomics of a Thrift Store Stereo

When you shop for a stereo receiver in a thrift store with a good electronics section, you need to look beyond the brand name and performance specs.  You need to look at the practicality of operating the system.  It's not enough the vintage stereo works properly.  After you've determined that a thrift store receiver works, you need to  determine whether you can work the receiver.  It is rare to find a dirt cheap thrift store receiver that actually has manuals and a remote control.  You've got to be able to operate your new old stereo receiver with the buttons and knobs on the front panel alone.

That is why I like my Technics SU-V76 amplifier and Technics ST-S76 AM/FM radio tuner.  They have intuitive controls and are easy to operate using only the buttons and knobs on the front panels.   Some receivers have no buttons and some receivers have lots of teeny-tiny buttons for obscure functions with cryptic labeling.  In contrast, my Technics units are pretty straight forward.  There are no manuals and I doubt that these units ever had a remote control.  But, at only $20 for the pair, this Technics combo has proven to be a winning combination.

If you do pick up an old stereo that needs a remote control.  Don't lose hope.  You may still be able to control it with a universal remote.  All you need is the manufacturer's code for each device and then you can program it into a remote control.  This Sony universal remote was highly rated on Amazon.com and can control stereo equipment.

Can You Get A Complete Stereo System for $150?

Can you get a complete stereo system for $150?  You can get pretty close with a complete package from Pyle.  For $154, you get the following components:

• PT560AU 300 Watts Digital AM/FM/USB Stereo Receiver

• PIDOCK1 Universal iPod/iPhone Docking Station For Audio Output Charging - Sync W/iTunes And Remote control

• PCB4BK 4'' 200 Watt Black Mini Cube Bookshelf Speaker In Black(Pair)

Sometimes the prospect of buying a stereo and speakers is quite simply daunting. However, if you want to dip your toes into stereo waters and get everything you need to get started, you should check out this package from Pyle.   Once you have a receiver, speakers, and a way to connect your tunes, you can relax and listen to the music.  

This is an entry level stereo system, but it will get you started.  As your musical tastes evolve, you can upgrade one component at a time.  For more information, check it out through one of this link to Amazon. 


 

Science, Human Hearing, and Stereo Speakers

When it comes to speakers, you can read all the reviews and study all the performance metrics you want.  But, at the end of the day, what matters is whether the speakers are pleasing to your ears when playing the kinds of music you like to hear.

The science of human biology and speaker specifications don't always mesh.According to wikipedia, the average human range of hearing begins as low as 12 hz and goes to 20khz.  Dogs can hear from around 40 hz to 60 khz.  Cats can hear from 55hz to 79khz.  Now, I don't know if Best Buy will allow dogs and cats into their listening room. It's too bad because I'm pretty sure that our dog wants me to buy better speakers.  He'd probably like me to buy JBL ES20 bookshelf speakers since they have a dynamic range of 60 hz to 40 khz.



There is no real evidence that audiophile ears are any better than the ears of the general public.  Claims to special hearing by audiophiles are likely to be due to what researchers call "The Hawthorne Effect."  Some writers claim that sounds we can not hear may still play a role in your brains processing of sounds from a stereo.  Words like presence, soundstage, and "boominess" all play a role in speaker selection.  Unfortunately, all of these speaker describing words are subjective.  I know I've missed having deep bass with my bookshelf speakers.  If you are looking for bass in a bookshelf speaker, these Polk Audio TSi100 go down to 53 hz which is pretty deep for bookshelf speakers.



I won't dispute anyone's anecdotal evidence that premium speakers are worth the extra money.  It isn't my role to diminish anyone's enjoyment of this hobby.  However, the science is compelling enough to help us protect our wallets.  Don't let anyone compel you to buy any stereo equipment on the basis of any claim that you cannot directly and distinctly hear and experience for yourself without prompting.  In the world of speakers, science can defend our wallets from preposterous claims, but our speakers still have to be bought from the heart.

The CD is Cheap!

Lately, I've been amazed at how inexpensive music can be on compact disc.  Downloaded music files may be all the rage now, but music on CD can last a very, very, long time.

Photo By Luis Fernández García (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.1-es (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/es/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

 The Big Box stores are all offering good deals.  Walmart, Target, and BestBuy all have extensive libraries of music at $5 to $7 per CD.  You can get classic music from performers like Diana Ross, James Brown, Aerosmith, or Van Halen or you can get newer music from performers like Justin Timberlake or Pink.


Our local Goodwill stores also have lots of CDs for sale at $2.50 per disc.  At that amazingly low price, you can take a chance on lots of groups that you haven't heard about and on genres that are a little off your beaten path.


Amazon.com offers the best of both world's with inexpensive CD prices and downloadable free copies of music you buy on CD.

Shop Amazon Music - Buy a CD or Vinyl Record - Get MP3 Version FREE with AutoRip

Reviewing Sony MDR-XD100 Stereo Headphones

Last week, we covered a $20 pair of Maxell headphones.  This week we're covering a $20 pair of Sony headphones.  In the quest for the best in consumer electronics and stereo sound, I visited an exclusive audio equipment supplier in my neighborhood.  It is called RiteAid.  They sell all kinds of inexpensive audio gear - speakers, headphones, portable radios, CD players and the like.  Surprisingly, much of their audio gear comes from Sony.  Since Sony is a brand most Americans trust, I didn't hesitate to buy a pair of Sony MDR-XD100 Stereo headphones.

Sony MDR-XD100 Stereo Headphones

These headphones are comfortable and sound pretty good.  You can read my full review here--

Personal Electronics Review:  Sony MDR-XD100 Stereo Headphones

If you'd like to buy some of these headphones, they are available at Amazon.com. Here are the Sony MDR-XD100s and some similarly priced Sony alternatives:

Is the Home Stereo Dying?

There was an interesting CNN.com article last week called "The Death of the Home Stereo System" by Todd Leopold.  According to the article, consumers are leaving bulky component stereos behind for portable devices and headphones.  It's a real phenomenon.  Most people are now comfortable downloading their music and storing their music in the cloud.  Listening to music seems to have become a more and more personal and introspective event.

Why would anyone want to maintain a full-sized component stereo system?  I can think of three good reasons:

• To play large collections of music on CD, vinyl, and tape
• To play music through powerful high quality speakers
• To maintain tangible, physical, ownership of a music collection.

 In addition, there are a lot of intangibles that I enjoy about music on CD.  For example, I like reading the little booklets that come with a CD or cassette.  Many people love the album covers that come with vinyl records.

There are also some things I really dislike about the whole MP3, Smartphone, thing.  First of all, I don't like data plans, texting, and high fees.  I also don't like earbuds.  I hate the way people using portable devices lose situational awareness of the world around them.  I also live in a city full of people who will kill you for your iPhone5.  I do like streaming internet radio and connect my Barnes & Noble Nook to my stereo on a regular basis.  I guess the MP3 revolution is simply technology that I am not comfortable with.

But, here is the thing.  Shouldn't the technology you use for recreation be comfortable to you?  Listening to music is supposed to be fun and relaxing.  I don't feel the need to find a website, download MP3, pay 49 cents per song, and build a playlist before playing music.  It sounds like way too much work for me.  I'll stick to selecting my CD, putting it into a player, and pressing play.  It simply works.  It sounds better and it is much less of a pain in the ass than signing your life away to some unknown online entity.

Plus, if the mass market home stereo really is dying, there should be some awesome deals out there!