The Friendly Audio Guide:
Recommended Systems
Listed, Updated, and Discontinued Products
Powered computer or TV speakers:
Audioengine A2+
Amazon | Audioengine
Stereo system with powered speakers:
Kanto YU6
Amazon | Kanto
Stereo system with satellite/subwoofer set and receiver:
Cambridge Audio Minx, Min 12 single cube
Amazon | Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Minx, X201 smaller sub
Amazon | Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Minx, Min 22 dual cube
Amazon | Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Minx, X301 larger sub
Amazon | Cambridge Audio
Yamaha R-N303
Amazon | Yamaha
Stereo system with mini-monitors and receiver:
KEF LS50
Amazon | KEF
KEF LS50, powered wireless version
Amazon | KEF
Marantz M-CR611
Amazon | Marantz
Stereo system with monitors and receiver:
Atlantic Technology AT-2
Amazon | Atlantic Technology
Outlaw RR2160
Amazon | Outlaw
Stereo system with powered towers and integrated amp:
GoldenEar Technology Triton Three+
GoldenEar Technology
Peachtree Decco125 SKY
Amazon | Peachtree Audio
Stereo system with towers and integrated amp:
Dynaudio Excite X38
Amazon | Dynaudio
Luxman L-509X
Luxman
Stereo system with towers and separates:
PSB Imagine T3
PSB
McIntosh C2600 preamp
Amazon | McIntosh
MC462 power amp (replaces MC452)
McIntosh
Surround system with satellite/subwoofer set and receiver:
Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 (replaces 3000)
Amazon | Q Acoustics
Sony STR-DN1080
Amazon | Sony
Surround system with monitors and receiver:
ELAC Uni-Fi Series
• UB5/UB51 monitor Amazon | ELAC
• UC5/UC51 center Amazon | ELAC
• SUB3010 sub Amazon | ELAC
Denon AVR-X2700H (replaces AVR-X3400H)
Amazon | Denon
Denon AVR-X3700H (replaces AVR-X4400H)
Amazon | Denon
Surround system with towers, subwoofer, and receiver:
Polk Signature Series
• S60 tower Amazon | Polk Audio
• S35 center Amazon | Polk Audio
• S20 monitor Amazon | Polk Audio
HSU Research VTF-15H MK 2
HSU Research
Rotel RAP-1580
Rotel
Surround system with towers and separates:
Revel Concerta2 Series
• F36 tower Revel
• C25 center Revel
• M16 monitor Revel
• B10 sub Revel
• C763L in-ceiling Revel
Integra DRC-R1.1 (to be replaced by DRC-R1.3, possibly late 2020)
Integra Research
Parasound A52+
Parasound
Source components
Budget turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, Amazon | Pro-Ject
Step-up turntable: Technics SL-1200GR, Amazon | Technics
High-end turntable: Linn Sondek LP12, Linn
CD Player: Rotel RCD-1572, Rotel
Media player: Bluesound Node 2i (replaces Node 2), Amazon | Bluesound
Media player with amp: Bluesound Powernode 2i (replaces Powernode 2), Amazon | Bluesound
Media player with hard drive and CD drive: Bluesound Vault 2i (replaces Vault 2), Amazon | Bluesound
USB DACs
Basic DAC: AudioQuest DragonFly Black, Amazon | AudioQuest
Step-up DAC: AudioQuest DragonFly Red, Amazon | AudioQuest
High-end DAC: Meridian Prime, Meridian
Cables
Basic speaker cable: Mediabridge 14AWG 100 feet, Amazon
Step-up speaker cable: Canare 4S11, Amazon | Chromaleaf
Basic analog interconnect: KabelDirekt 3-foot, Amazon
Step-up analog interconnect: BetterCables Silver Serpent 3-foot, Amazon | BetterCables
Latest update: July 2020