Good Sound on a Budget A decent entry level system.

Hi-FiGuy

Member Sponsor
Feb 23, 2015
2,235
754
385
So for $3000.00 you can have a nice two channel set up with DAC/Tubes/Phono-Pre/Headphone Amp/Turntable with USB/Cartridge/Amplifier/Pre Amplifier and Speakers.

You can pretty much open the boxes, set this equipment on your furniture plug in and go.

This should be enough to get you hooked! :p

Peachtree Nova65SE Integrated with built in DAC and headphone amp. Great intro into tubes. $999.00
http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/nova65se-amplifier-with-dac.html

Golden Ear Triton Sevens (bottom of page) $1400.00
http://www.goldenear.com/products/triton-series

Pro-ject Debut Carbon USB $400.00
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Debu...856&sr=8-1&keywords=pro-ject+debut+carbon+usb

Some affordable interconnects
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i:aps,k:audioquest cables
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
Nice system you've put together there my friend! And if one only has $2,000 they could likely buy this same system on the used market as well.
 

es347

VIP/Donor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
1,577
35
970
Midwest fly over state..
Naim Muso $1500
 

Hi-FiGuy

Member Sponsor
Feb 23, 2015
2,235
754
385
How about some links for people to click on, help a brother/sister out! :D

https://www.naimaudio.com/Mu-so

You could actually hook up the pro-ject usb turntable to that device.

I cannot vouch for the sound quality, but it seems like a nice lifestyle piece.
 

DSkip

Industry Expert
Aug 26, 2013
442
194
350
Arlington, TX
www.audiothesis.com
How about this?

Usher T-515 with stands - $840
Essence HDACC HDMI DAC - $600
Parasound Halo A23 - $995
Douglas Connection Furez IC's/XLR's - $100-150 depending on connectors.


That's around $2600 for a pretty nice rig. The T-515 is a lot of speaker for the money.
 

asiufy

Industry Expert/VIP Donor
Jul 8, 2011
3,711
723
1,200
San Diego, CA
almaaudio.com
In a similar-but-not-quite way to the Naim, there's the iFi Retro:

http://ifi-audio.com/products/retro/

We have one of those in the store, and it's surprisingly good, for the size and price ($2000 w/ the speakers).

It has just about everything you need: tube amp, preamp, DAC, phono stage, Bluetooth...

Another
 

Phelonious Ponk

New Member
Jun 30, 2010
8,677
23
0
A digitalphile solution: http://www.avihifi.co.uk/products.html#dm10

The Avi DM10 -- fully active (350 watts per mid bass driver, 75 for each tweeter), built in DAC (Wofson 24/192) and simple remote-controlled pre (volume/inputs, separate volume and crossover controls for the optional sub). These are two generations beyond the 9.1s I have, which are incredibly clear and powerful, and I know what they've been working on - even greater clarity. Probably not for lovers of analog's colorations, but not strident or harsh either. Imaging is amazing, even now that I no longer have them in a near-field setup. 1500 pounds, which at the current exchange rate is $2313.61. The sub will take you up another $1500. Just add source and stir.

Tim
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
Peachtree Nova65SE Integrated with built in DAC and headphone amp. Great intro into tubes. $999.00
http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/nova65se-amplifier-with-dac.html
Are there any alternatives to this? I bought my son one of their DACs and unfortunately the internal resampler (?) clips on some of his music. So he had to ditch it and get a different system.

Also, have others had good experience with their tube? I thought it just added bad distortion.

BTW, I am a fan of the company and products. Just haven't had good experiences with the two points above.
 

DaveyF

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2010
6,129
181
458
La Jolla, Calif USA
I have heard some very good things about the new Marantz HD DAC 1. Priced at $799-. Includes a headphone amp and Double DSD! Also features a USB connection....just add the computer/ headphones and off you go.
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
It certainly looks nice:

 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
15,813
37
0
Seattle, WA
Japanese companies are starting to wake up to this market with Panasonic/Technics coming into the market.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing