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[Josh Billings]

So I was thinking the other day how so many times i buy something that's a great deal but it just ends up crapping out or not performing up to spec over time. Then i just think to myself "well you get what you pay for" but then i think about a few things i've purchased that i've been really happy about and i spent barely anything vs. other units in a much higher price range.

I'm curious what you guys have been really happy about buying cheap that has exceeded your expectations for the product. Like you paid $50 for a Mic and it's your favorite sounding mic and you choose it over everything else.

Like for instance, i bought a Behringer DCX2496 just as a cheap speaker processor and it's probably my favorite out of all the models i've tried (BBE 4x8, DBX PA & 260 and the Peavey unit).

Also on a non pro audio note the Sprint Sero program is amazing. You gotta search the net for a valid employee email address but once you sign up the deal is insane. Not gonna sell anybody on it, look it up if you're interested in super cheap pda service with unlimited data stuff.

-Josh Billings

[Robert Fielder]

Josh Billings wrote on Sat, 02 August 2008 13:06

I'm curious what you guys have been really happy about buying cheap that has exceeded your expectations for the product.

Wow! Talk about a topic nobody picked up on.

Josh Billings wrote on Sat, 02 August 2008 13:06

Like for instance, i bought a Behringer DCX2496 just as a cheap speaker processor and it's probably my favorite out of all the models i've tried (BBE 4x8, DBX PA & 260 and the Peavey unit).

Agreed, I have a DCX2496 and feel the same way. Rented a DRPA many times, found it lacked some features I needed. Picked up a couple of crossovers for testing purposes (CX2310, dBx 223XL), did A-B tests against the DCX2496, and then put my $$$ onto the DCX2496.

Kind of like my old Nissan pickup truck. Bought new in 1994, let it go in 2003 when the manual transmission broke. The truck had 347,000km (about 217,000 miles) at that time. The garage could not find a used transmission at all, and new ones were out of the question, so they quoted $1,700 to rebuild the transmission. I should have paid for it, since the '99 Chev van I did get for $10,000 has since cost over $10,000 in repairs.....

[Stuart Pendleton]

Local music store had a consignment AT 1400 series wireless mic setup.  Didn't expect much for $100 even though it looked like a brand new set.  Sounds better than the ULX setups I have. Never had a hiccup, no interference, no issues at all.  I am going to miss it next year after the freq wars start.......

[Bennett Prescott]

I bought a $1,000 Panasonic plasma a few months ago, Best Buy even let me not pay for it for half a year. It could be a little brighter, but is a great TV and does everything I want it to.

[Robert Fielder]

Found a used AT 3000 system at the local Long & McQuade for under $200, battery pack and (el cheapo) headset included. Tested it, took it home, and it has been working like a dream. Only thing missing was the wire clip off the belt pack, but the one from my AT 600 fits well enough.

Also have an AT 200 series VHF wireless system in my rack, with a handheld mic. Picked that up as a clearance item from the same L&M store over two years ago, and it has also been solid.

[Lester Moran]

I bought a used Crown DC300 (big black knobs/fuseplate-on-front) in about 1980 for $150 that still works.  I bought a "Johnson" brand acoustic guitar at a festival off someone's scratch-n-dent rack for $50 that stays in tune, plays in pitch up the neck, and is louder than my recently-departed 1984 HD28P.  And I've run across some Mexico-made Telecasters that I think are pretty darn good.

Les

[Dick Rees]

Yup, it's amazing what you can get down on the corner for $20....if you don't mind the occasional cootie.  

[Patrick Campbell]

Bought a couple mint Crown CT-1600's for about $200 each. Granted they weigh a lot but my monitors now really BARK !!!

[Adam Sykes]

I bought a 1984 Saab 900 (not even the "S" model) for $500 with 215k miles on it.  Best car ever made!  Drove it for 4+ years with nothing but basic up keep.  The shame is that it got hit, was beyond repair, and I bought a '99 9-3.  (GM changed the Saab quality a bit. )

p.s. If any one has a nice 1984-86 900 they are looking to move, I'm the guy to call.  

[Bennett Prescott]

Damn, I bought a 1993 Saab 9000SE (non-turbo) for my first car... paid $4,000 for it at 120,000 miles. I loved that car, but it cost me $10,000 to keep it running for one year. No joke, I replaced the transmission as many times as I replaced the oil... it was on its third transmission, new brakes, new exhaust system, new ECM (engine control module), and second set of clutch cylinders when a landscaper backed a bobcat into it and I unloaded it for $2,000 (plus insurance money, I sold it unrepaired).

My girlfriend several years later received a new 9-3 sport from her (loaded) parents that I got to drive a lot, and it was also a really wonderful car to operate. Still the best human-car interface I've seen, and fast as all get out (even with the auto tranny). It had problems, too, though... mostly electronic. When her brother crashed it a year later she got a BMW X3 that I drove once and never again.

I've been driving VWs since 2005 now and am pretty happy, good cars, love my Passat. Nice and zippy but excellent fuel economy. I still miss the "driving is serious business" feel that the Saab had to it, but I can't afford to risk owning something unreliable. The VW is a little more "friendly" than I'd like... thinking about going Audi next.

[Scott Smith]

It's "American Muscle" for me.

[Lester Moran]

Scott Smith wrote on Tue, 19 August 2008 23:31

It's "American Muscle" for me.

Hell yeah.  I owned a foreign vehicle as my daily driver one time:  A Toyota pickup.  It was great for going to get something.  But not much good for bringing it back.

Les

[Tom faderjockey Brandis]

1932 RCA Victrola $75.00 at a yard sale. Only needed a new spring and works like a charm.

[Craig Basten]

Bennett Prescott wrote on Tue, 19 August 2008 15:29

Damn, I bought a 1993 Saab...(snip)...I still miss the "driving is serious business" feel that the Saab had to it, but I can't afford to risk owning something unreliable.

Same experience with both of my Saabs...loved the cars, couldn't afford to keep them on the road.  We have a fantastic Saab mechanic where I live, but I just had to stop making his house payments for him.  The last one was a '95 900, which I put in brakes, a radiator, a head gasket, timing chain, fuel pump, etc...

The car was a great driver, but it was driving me into financial ruin FAST.

[Travis Watson]

Back in the late 80's I had a couple of years of getting 200.00 killer deals on various things. One was a (early 80's) reissue Gibson Korina V with a amp for 225.00.

[Tom Bourke]

Well I am trying the QSC GX5 and some $160 each monitors with stand cups for rental gigs, I will let you know the ROI next year

As for non audio I have gotten some GREAT deals on tools at garage sales this summer:

$40 old school welder that works very well.
$40 craftsmen scroll saw
$5 laser level that is a GREAT cat toy
and a bunch of other smaller things.

[Tim Padrick]

Tom faderjockey Brandis wrote on Tue, 19 August 2008 18:09

1932 RCA Victrola $75.00 at a yard sale. Only needed a new spring and works like a charm.

What's the F3 on that horn?

[Lee Patzius]

Josh Billings wrote on Sat, 02 August 2008 13:06

Like for instance, i bought a Behringer DCX2496 just as a cheap speaker processor and it's probably my favorite out of all the models i've tried (BBE 4x8, DBX PA & 260 and the Peavey unit). -Josh Billings

AGAIN?

This is getting old.

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/209705/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_209705

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/218670/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_218670

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/235570/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_235570

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/269125/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_269125

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/275537/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_275537

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/286421/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_286421

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/328233/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_328233

 http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/346811/109/?srch =dcx2496#msg_346811

[Robert Fielder]

As the dicsussion topic says...."Or do you?"

I picked up a Behringer FC202 Firewire audio interface. It has been great! What is really neat is that it has balanced 1/4" TRS outputs, which match nicely to the balanced inputs on my Mackie 1402VLZ-Pro.

Audio quality has been great.

However, I also purchased a Behgringer effects unit - forget the model number at this moment. That unit was cheap, and was going to be used to add a little (accent on "little"!  ) depth to one of the mic channels.

However, the unit is so noisey that you do not need to send any input to it, to get lots of output! It is quite happy to sit there and perform whatever effect you choose on it's own background noise.

Duh! First bit of gear I ever purchased that is content to sit in a corner and play with itself. Never knew you could get audio hardware that was into self abuse (otherwise known as masturbation   ).

That device is gathering dust on a shelf, until I get around to repacking it and putting it up on eBay.

Really glad my DCX2496 is quiet........between it and the DEQ2496, one can find justification for the continued existance of the company known as Behringer.  

[Robert Fielder]

Josh Billings wrote on Sat, 02 August 2008 13:06

Like for instance, i bought a Behringer DCX2496 just as a cheap speaker processor and it's probably my favorite out of all the models i've tried (BBE 4x8, DBX PA & 260 and the Peavey unit).

Josh:

I got a DCX2496 for two reasons: first, the DRPA does not have sufficient delay for remote speakers, and I didn't want to add additional devices to my rack, and second, I did not have the avialable capital to go for the DR260.

Plus, at the time, I was unable to find anyone who would rent a DR260. Since I won't put down my $$$ unless I have had a chance to at least try most stuff, that also ruled out the DR260.

However, your comment indicates that you have used the DR260, and prefer the DCX2496. Can you say a bit more about this? As time goes by and I build up my system, I keep the idea of replacing the DCX2496 with a DR260, so hearing from those who have used both is of interest.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack this discussion, we can create a new thread if appropriate.

Thanks!

[Dave Bigelow]

Bought this in 1995 for 2,000 bucks. Best car I ever owned, sucks I got rid of it. Of course with how gas is anymore.....

[Josh Billings]

Lee Patzius wrote on Tue, 19 August 2008 19:40

Josh Billings wrote on Sat, 02 August 2008 13:06 Like for instance, i bought a Behringer DCX2496 just as a cheap speaker processor and it's probably my favorite out of all the models i've tried (BBE 4x8, DBX PA & 260 and the Peavey unit). -Josh Billings AGAIN? This is getting old.

This topic wasn't about pushing the behringer unit or anything (although i do like it quite a bit), it was more to get people's feedback on things they got cheap and outperformed their expectations. Like this was the best deal i got all year...real audiophile grade stuff

http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku= 8021113&oext=1038A&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=802111 3