Cheap stereo electronics, What do you think of these models?

If you aren't an experienced tech, you probably would be wasting your money. These are most likely chinko-cheapie type surround units, relatively complicated, but with marginal quality. A service manual is normally required for any but the most basic service. An output IC, easily replaceable, is pretty unlikely - these days it's a bit cheaper just to use transistors. Or it could be a digital amp with some weird unknown output IC. Or the problem may not be in the amp at all, but some unusual data problem, or some hidden shipping damage.

Good for a learning experience, but if you're looking for a bargain, maybe not such a good deal after all.

Mark Z.

And you can buy better, new/factory refurbished, for $90. Why bother?

Kal

What do I think? I think I'm going to save my pennies for about another three months, and then go buy a Harmon Kardon AV635. ;-)

Now, with that said... If you're looking for a fixer-upper, I would look at the KLH before the other one. I've never heard of 'Insignia' as an audio brand.

Happy hunting.

I bought a damaged KLH for $10. It had been physically abused: dents in the cover and one speaker terminal damaged. The amp works fine, but the tuner controls sometimes lock up. It puts out around a hundred watts/channel into 8 ohms and uses chip outputs.

I've seen the exact same receiver branded 'RCA'.

The KLH tag is no guarantee that you're getting anything unique...or good.

jak

No, but if the OP is looking for a fixer-upper they're at least getting a known quantity that they'd stand SOME chance of finding service info for.

It puzzles me, though, why anyone would go after the fixer-uppers, unless they're already an experienced tech that happens to like repairing such units.

And if they're already experienced, why come here to ask what brand to get? That's self-evident to someone who already knows their stuff.

Keep the peace(es).

I'm only semi-experienced. I get a good deal of satisfaction in taking others' castoffs and using them. In doing so, I get some experience, some satisfaction, some money (not spent); and keep a good deal of 'stuff' out of the landfills.

I occasionally ask questions here. The OP may be looking for a new hobby....

jak