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He's looking for simplicity paired with good quality. My only thoughts were the Linn Classik (too expensive?) or the NAD all-in-one (not good enough?), or separates like a Rega/Arcam system (too complex?). i also though of the Tivoli Model Two with a CD player. He needs CD and radio. Would a mid-fi receiver serve well here? Speakers need to be small (bookshelf type) and I'm not an expert there. Background music is the primary purpose, but hey I may turn him into a budding audiophile. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Follow Ups:
sounds good, reasonable cost, - especially from Spectravox
As I said, I just went thru this. Had a slightly smaller budget. I wanted cd/dvd/sacd in one.would you buy used?
Integrated amp choices:
Creek
Musical Fidelity
Unico
Audio Refinement
Rotel
LFD MistralCDPs:
Rotel
Sony or Sony ES
Cairn
MF
Pioneer EliteSpeakers:
JM Reynaud Twin mkIIIs!!!!
Silverline
Dynaudio Audience 42 or 52
Triangle Titus
Vov Schweikert VR-1
Spendor or Harbeth monitors!!!!!Cables:
DH Labs is just great value for the $$$$
Analysis Plus
Kimber
Meaning that - on avereage - every unit came in for repair at least once. He then dropped that product but still carries other NAD stuff that does well.FYI - it was Performance Audio in San Francisco.
I was considering one in January. Put together a "bedroom" system that you can see by clicking my name above.
Basic Sony or Rotel cdp, used Rotel or NAD integrated and some mini monitors and your friend will be in business. Decent used cables from DH Labs will work great.
Hey DD - did your buddy in San Fran tell you what the common break-down causes were? I'd like to know what to watch for.
Thx,
Ben
no, he didn't.
call them....i don't really know them well. bought a cheap all-in-one player there in feb.Performance Audio
2847 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
415/ 441-6220
ksdlkasdj
If so, he might try my approach. For a while, I had a separate sound system but thought that it was kinda dumb to have that in addition to a computer sound system. When I purchased my newer Dell, I added a nicer Turtle Beach sound card and Monsoon planar apeakers with a subwoofer (not seen in pics). My sources are an old Pioneer tuner and Music Match jukebox with my entire CD colletion ripped into MP3s. The Monsoons sound like baby Magneplanars and look great as well. The convenience of accessing any music without shuffling discs is really nice. Usually, I put it in "DJ mode" where it randomly picks tracks out of the 300 odd albums.
I've had a NAD L-40 CD receiver for a few months now in a bedroom system and it's great. I've now tried it with a variety of bookshelf speakers ranging from 88-92 sensitivity (PSB Alpha B and Model 20, Paradigm Titan, Axiom M-22ti and 1.5). It also has pre-outs and an RDS tuner.The L40's reliability has been called into question previously here, but I haven't run into any problems (yet). I think it would make a great office system. I'm using an ancient Pioneer SX-650 receiver, a Panasonic portable cdp and Realistic Minimus 7s at work and it's a great near-field set-up. The Classik is excellent, but it's a lot of money to spend for the office.
Aego 2 powered speakers ($400 new) plus whatever CD player you like.
The AE Aego powered sub/speakers hooked up to a CD player, DVD player or even a portable. You would not beleive how good this little setup sounds. There were write-ups in Stereophile and TAS a while back where they describe it as "high end sound". I couldn't beleive it myself, but after an audition, have a set in my bedroom now. Everyone that hears this is amazed. I got mine for $250. Saw one recently (demo) for $200.
I would go for the Linn Classik, it is the perfect size, has a remote, works with a wide range of speakers and looks good as well!
B
mini system and if so it should be easy to locate one for an audition. It would be right for the application (in such a small room).No need to upgrade anything except the cables (if you wish) as the speakers match the amp quite well. I would run it off an inexpensive conditioner (like the Monster HTS2000).
> > > > Two models one $400/other 600.
3 years ago. I also think that there was a "sub" option (this is what they called it).I researched mini systems for a friend's teen daughter and we picked this over the Denon/Mission system (which started to distort @ moderate volume).
We tried other inexpensive speakers with it (Polk, Braun & KEF), but it seemed to be equalized for the stock speakers (which sounded better overall with it than the others).
As always, audition first as they may have changed the build/sound (the old one is still going strong after 3 years).
There is another brand that also has a good rep (not Denon), but I can't recall the name. Maybe try running a search on "mini and system"?
Andrew, I think you have been thru' this before and should have experience about it. The Creek 43 series has the shallowest dimension quality sound. Add the Mission NXT speaker system and should be pretty nice looking in the office.I think I may be breaking the rule in naming names here.
Hi Paul, This isn't for myself so I'm thinking differently than my hi-fi self would. It didn;t occur to me to recommend your preamp because of the simplicity thing, but it's small and high quality. i think you recommended Monarchy amps as a good amp to pair it with in a budget. Hmmm...
Oh yea, I forgot these elements. He has not specified a budget, but I would keep it below $2000. His office is about 10x12, with mostly off-axis listening. Wood floors with a rug. The usual bookshelves, desks. What about speakers like the Acoustic Energy Aego2s?
bit more info would be good.. he could do worse than some of the things you're suggesting as possibilities. i have my old grad school receiver (sherwood S-7100A; 1973 vintage) and some rat shack speakers that work for me. wire the cd thru from my computer. it's not hi fi but it works.
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