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I'm trying to help my father purchase a HiFi system. He's an old jazz guy who used value high-end gear, but unfortunately now since he's not a player anymore, is always looking for the deals. In the city I live in, there's a couple boutique high-end audiophile stores; me being very interested in these predominantly, my dad wanting more to do with the "box-style" stores.
Our budget is $3500.00 - I know this isn't tons, but it's what we're looking at currently. I'll list the systems.
ONE:
Simaudio Moon Neo 250i
Reconessence Concero DAC (over budget, so maybe "later")
2x Monitor Audio Silver 6's
TWO:
Cambridge Audio 851A
Built-In DAC
KEF Q900's
Would love to hear what everyone thinks I should do because as a music semi-professional, I'd go with the first setup, but curious about the second one as well. Also, if you just want to answer about the amps, please just go for it, or call me out on not following the rules (I'm New!)
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
Welcome! tierangreen-
go for the Simaudio system.
In my opinion: Monitor Audio are more balanced and coherent overall and I believe more suitable for Jazz player (and one of the best value for money in the price range). Amp is better, too. I do not have experience with the noted DAC.
If you are buying all from a single place, they should give you a discount or throw in freebies like ICs & speaker cables.
HOWEVER, I question your choice if:
a) digital is the only source you do not need integrated. Good DAC with volume control and amplifier will probably be better choice for the money.
b) he is looking for deals, internet stores are most likely way to go. For example:
http://www.musicdirect.com/s-28-closeout-hardware.aspx?CategoryFilterID=608&
http://www.spearitsound.com/special.html
http://www.saturdayaudio.com/
http://www.audiowaveshifi.com/sale.htm
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/special_offers
c) box store refers to Best Buy and similar. As a good son you have a duty to convince him to stay away from that type of stores.
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"One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane."
I'd devote about $2k for the speakers, $1k for the electronics, and about $500 for a player. And I'd buy used if I could. Looking on A'gon, there is a pair of GoldenEar Triton 3s for $1300, an Exemplar Audio-modded Oppo BDP-83 for $550, and any number of decent integrated amps for around $1k. This puts him into a great system for about $2850.
You could even substitute an Oppo BDP-103 brand new and save $50. Or go with a brand new BDP-105 for an additional $600 which would put you right on-budget. On A'gon there is also an Upgrade Company BDP-95 for $1,000 which would undercut the budget by about $200.
Lots of options....
-RW-
A lot has been mentioned about the stereo. Speakers and a source are just as important. Synergy is the name of the audio game.
I suggest that you audition the Kef loudspeakers and if they are what you really want, I suppose you will like them far more than the Monitor Audio, which, to me, and I'm only guessing, seem like audio-visual material that would suit some people just fine, of course.
Then, you will have to get the Simaudio, somehow, sometime ;-)
Demo Silver 6s at Audio Advisor bring this pair to $3620 ... or maybe Rogue Sphinx and some good cables (and a pair of Genalex Gold Lions to upgrade the Sphinx preamp tubes) plus the Silver 6s?
Need phono input? many other questions ...
$3500 budget, can get much better sound than that found in Best Buy or wherever, IMO as well.
Your budgets make no provision for any source of music. Until we know what this is then it is difficult to make any recommendations.
You refer to DACs NB: the Azure 851A doesn't have one. Are you thinking of using PC audio? You say that your dad as an old jazz guy. Is he happy with this form of accessing music? Maybe he has a collection of LPs/CDs from his high -end days that he wants to play?
Also remember to budget for cables. stands and supports.
Let us know.
Personally I'd go for the system with the Simaudio. Better built, better warranty, and IMHO better sound. I also don't care for built in DAC's. I prefer to an outboard given the way that technology changes.
Dan Santoni
Edits: 11/23/14
With streaming and digital technology, I would lean towards NOT having a combo DAC/stereo.
Two reasons.
Having more than one function in a stereo means twice as many times the probability of ending up with a dead stereo, eg out of warranty.
And second, and this is a little more paranoia then audio. With all the money involved in streaming, I can see things changing for the $$$$$$ and not the audio down the road. Need an example - try figuring out movie streaming. It's a knife fight for that market.
charles
....as neither of the stereo amps mentioned by the OP as interesting him has a built in DAC.
I agree with your general point though.
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