Audio Help, Need New Receiver

[GohanX]

The speaker set I have now I purchased like 7 or 8 years ago, and I haven't paid any attention to home audio since then. I got a Cambridge Soundworks DTT 3500 computer speaker set ( http://www.anandtech.com/multimedia/showdoc.aspx?i=1376 ) originally for the PC, but it is currently being used in my living room for DVD and gaming needs. It's near perfect, good quality sound (although it lacks midbass) and it fills the room with sound without being overpowering.

It's starting to mess up now though. It still works with analog hookups fine, but both the opitcal and coaxial digital lines are going slightly nuts. The speakers all work fine, so I was looking for a new receiver, but I don't have any clue what is good. Also, I am afraid that most receivers would likely blow my speakers to shreds since they are low powered. I wouldn't be opposed to new speakers too, but the home theater kits that have speakers and receivers that are in my price range just sound like ass to me.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[stormy]

What is your price range?

[GohanX]

Cheap

I would say 100 bucks on a receiver by itself, or 200 on a whole system. Yeah, that's not much, but I don't care enough to sink a lot of cash into it.

I used to be able to find PC speaker sets in that price range that were perfect, they had good sound quality but low power. Most of what I see now is either cheap stuff that is absolute crap, or 1000w systems that would blow the windows out of my tiny room.

[kingoffighters]

100 bux? Why not just mute everything?

[stormy]

You aren't going to get too much for that money.

I'm a big Logitech fan. My brother has the set below this one, and it rocks. This combo set has built in decoders with optical inputs, so you can use it as a receiver not just computer speakers. I think it can be found cheaper if you look around. Here is the newegg link:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121120

I haven't been on the lookout for audio deals lately but I'll keep an eye out.

edit - Dell has the logitech set on sale http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=A0405790

[stormy]

Harmon Kardon sells refurbs factory direct with full warranty, probably the only receiver refurb I'd bother buying. They have one for $167 that could be doable for you. It's only 30 watt so it might power the speakers you have (what is the ohm rating on your leftover speakers?). Harmon doesn't overstate power like most other brands, so their 30 watts/channel isn't that weak. They don't seem to have many options in stock right now, but I've been to the site before and they had tons of stuff. Maybe if you wait around they will have more.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...REC&market=HOM

They also sell through ebay by the name Harmonaudio (i think). Try looking for them there, maybe ebay got all the good stuff.