Welcome to the forum, Diogenes.

The conventional wisdom is to try and seek out a local dealer and audition equipment when and where possible. Given your stated goals, however, ordering from Crutchfield is not a bad idea. There are usually better prices at some of the other internet/mail order sites, but no one offers better service or more hassle free returns and exchanges than Crutchfield, which is a cost effective bonus if mail order is your preferred shopping option.

I have not heard this particular speaker, but other Infinity models were good performers, IMO. There are a lot of decent budget speakers in this price range and you could throw a dart at a catalog and be happy with wherever it lands. I'm not saying they're all the same, but am offering an opinion based on the info you've given. You can also look into Stereophile Recommended components in the budget category for more ideas if you feel the need.

I have been very happy with Marantz receivers, but if budget is a major consideration, Onkyo is hard to beat. I've recently had 2 friends order Onkyos from both ends of the price spectrum- 2 channel and multi, and both are admirable performers. An Onkyo recently received high praise in a Stereophile review and they tend to be very feature laden for price with lots of current for dynamic performance. Even their entry level stereo model offers A+B speaker switching for second room duty, but you'll need to check the feature list for iPod adaptability/ interface options.

Good luck with your quest.

d -

Fellow rookie here. I bought a pair of the 162s (the bookshelfs that are closest to the 362s) and have been satisfied. Also recommended, if you don't have to have floor standers, are Paradigm Atoms. I run them in my family room and can listen for hours.

One thing to think about - I've had better luck with cheap separates than receivers. I drive the Atoms with a little Trends Audio amp and an Antique Sound labs (bought used) preamp, an Oppo 980H player, a Squeezebox and a Dynalab tuner (used).

If a receiver is a must, Onkyo or NAD, I would think, or for a bit more, Cambridge Audio.

best,

Scott Atkinson
WAtertown NY

The Infinity Primus P362s are a solid choice for entry level. For a receiver also consider a reconditioned Harman Kardon HK 3485-Z for $230 from Harman Online if your budget is tight. Good phono section and amplifier. Otherwise, a 40 wpc receiver or integrated from Cambridge Audio, Denon, NAD, Onkyo or Music Hall would be enough to drive those loudspeakers. There are some opportunities for demos and used as well that could get you up a step. I've also liked the PSB loudspeakers. If you can save a little, the PSB Image T55 is a much better loudspeaker than the Infinity P362 and can be found new for around $650 a pair, $400 used. The PSB Image T45 should get consideration as well.

I went the reconditioned HK receiver myself. Onkyo and the one your looking at through Crutchfield is about it as far as I'm concerned. Except Outlaw makes a fantastic 2 way.

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Thanks, there is a PSB dealer about an hour away. Hopefully I will get a good excuse to drive over before I make a decision.

Something to consider- if you find a helpful dealer who will let you audition equipment- even take stuff home on a trial basis- they are worth their weight in gold. Buy from them. They might not be able to match the rock bottom price of an on-line outfit with their added overhead, but the advice you get can save you $$$ in the long run. And you get the added benefit of their experience to help you along the way.

I don't have the benefit of this choice in the boonies, so I must rely on reviews, trial and error and the good will of on-line vendors. I've been very lucky so far, but a personal consultant/resource is a better option in most cases.

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Something to consider- if you find a helpful dealer who will let you audition equipment- even take stuff home on a trial basis- they are worth their weight in gold. Buy from them. They might not be able to match the rock bottom price of an on-line outfit with their added overhead, but the advice you get can save you $$$ in the long run. And you get the added benefit of their experience to help you along the way.

Indeed. If you use your local dealer for help, give them your business, assuming you want what they helped you with.

It's tough enough in this business, without having to be a showroom for low-overhead net merchants.

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d -

One thing to think about - I've had better luck with cheap separates than receivers. I drive the Atoms with a little Trends Audio amp and an Antique Sound labs (bought used) preamp, an Oppo 980H player, a Squeezebox and a Dynalab tuner (used).

If a receiver is a must, Onkyo or NAD, I would think, or for a bit more, Cambridge Audio.

Dio- Scott's advice above is an excellent example of the many options you have PLUS a way to increase the fun quotient of the hobby by putting together the right system that you can call your own. Making it a 2 zone with budget separates is the challenge that will determine your choices.

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Dio- Scott's advice above is an excellent example of the many options you have PLUS a way to increase the fun quotient of the hobby by putting together the right system that you can call your own.

Thanks for pointing out the fun part. I started back on audio when I stumbled across a reference to 'class T' amps, which led me to a lot of trying and reading.

I have gotten enormous pleasure over the last couple of years from doing this - it reminds me (as an oldster) of when computers were fun.

s.

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Something to consider- if you find a helpful dealer who will let you audition equipment- even take stuff home on a trial basis- they are worth their weight in gold. Buy from them. They might not be able to match the rock bottom price of an on-line outfit with their added overhead, but the advice you get can save you $$$ in the long run. And you get the added benefit of their experience to help you along the way.

I would very strongly echo this -- I really only got into audio in a big way 5 years ago, and a friend encouraged me to visit a local independent audio store instead of buying from a big box shop like I was going to.

Taking his advice was the best thing I ever did. They matched my budget (I started with a pair of Paradigm Phantom speakers, a Denon receiver and a Denon CD player). The staff were trained and able to repair most of what they sold on-site, in one case repairing a bad solder in the CD player in a few minutes rather than the weeks of delay it would have been if the unit had to be sent back to Denon.

I have developed a great relationship with this store since that time, and the benefits have been incredible. At times they've saved me money, steering me towards upgrade options that were more affordable than what I was considering, or allowing me to try the expensive item in my home to see if I think it's worth it.

I've spent hours in their auditioning room comparing gear that I'm considering buying. As mentioned, they let me take items home to audition there, and if I have something that needs to be repaired and it's going to take some time to get parts, they've offered to loan me the same (or similar) item for the duration.

I can even borrow their vacuum record cleaner for a weekend just for the cost of cleaning fluid!

I know many people have complained about "snooty" high-end shops and I'm sure some are, but if you find a good one you've found gold!