Recommendation for $7,000 System

[Folsom]

Depends on the room. I've seen some unobtrusive executions. I'm not suggesting these rooms are optimized for sound, just that it can be done.

Sure, we aren't exactly sure what we're dealing with.

 

[AudioLibertarian]

A friend of mine inherited 2,000 CDs. He also has a turntable, and he wants to be able to play records.

He and his wife enjoy opera, but they also enjoy a wide variety of other music, including chamber music.

He is looking to purchase a stereo for not more than a total of $7,000. The stereo should not take up an entire room, but it does not have to be inconspicuous either.

Please make full system suggestions.

Thank you!

Bowers& Wilkins 703 s2 ($4000msrp), $3500 street

(Alternative 1: Rega RX-3, $2000, these are better than the bigger RX5)

Alternative 2: Eminent Technology 8b, with almost mandatory Sound Anchor stands- $2800, these are IDEAL for opera lovers, like myself, as few other speakers will portray the sound-field with singers at their TRUE size, top 5 speakers in the world at any price).

Amplifiers:

Rega Mira 3 integrated, about $500, in used in condition (most musical amp at a sane price, better than most of current Rega line up)

Alternative 1: Rega Elicit R $2000 used, especially for the Eminent Tech 8bs, as these are power hungry.

SMSL VMV D1 ($1300 at amazon ) DAC, supremely musical and detailed, better, or equally good sounding than most dacs discussed at these forums, at a shockingly low price. Sounds best when used with thru balanced out ( I use Cardas XLR/RCA adapters, $150). Needs very good power cord. Cardas Golden Power Cord $150, used.

Alternative: SMSL M9 dac, $450, also a shockingly good and analog sounding dac at amazingly good price.... (amazon)

Both SMSL dacs need at least 500 hours of break in. Fully blossom at 1000 hours of break in.

Sony UBP X-800 BLU RAY player used as transport $200 street

Cardas Clear Coaxial cable $200,

Cardas Golden Cross speaker cables , used , at about $800-1000, in case of B&W and Eminent Tech needs to be double shotgun configuration, i.e AVOID factory jumpers, other than same Golden Cross....

Cardas Golden Cross RCA interconnect about $300-350 (used)

 

[jeff1225]

Will they buy used?

 

[microstrip]

The mixed-use room is about 15 feet wide by 20 feet long.

I should’ve specified that he is hoping for floor-standers of some kind.

Considering these requests I can't understand why people are debating LS3/5A's ...

 

[microstrip]

A friend of mine inherited 2,000 CDs. He also has a turntable, and he wants to be able to play records.

He and his wife enjoy opera, but they also enjoy a wide variety of other music, including chamber music.

He is looking to purchase a stereo for not more than a total of $7,000. The stereo should not take up an entire room, but it does not have to be inconspicuous either.

Please make full system suggestions.

Thank you!

Ron,

I think we must know a lot more about the live style of your friend before advising. IMHO in this type of advising thread we should get audio systems for people, not push people in our favorite audio equipment.

 

[asiufy]

Ron,

I think we must know a lot more about the live style of your friend before advising. IMHO in this type of advising thread we should get audio systems for people, not push people in our favorite audio equipment.

Exactly.
That's why he should go to a dealer, explain what he needs and start from there.

 

[NorthStar]

The last two posts...smartest.

 

[cjfrbw]

Tell him to bump it up a bit to $7900 and get the Voxativ Absolut Hagen system. I heard it at CAS, and it sounds really good. It is also uncomplicated for a lot of functionality, though cell phone is used to communicate with it.

Hook up the turntable/phono pre to the analog inputs. Has all the streaming stuff and input DAC for CD etc.

The Voxativ Absolut Hagen System

Tired of having lots of stereo devices, interconnect and power cables in your living room? Why so complicated? The Absolut Box is a hand-crafted component combining a cutting-edge DAC/DSP with Class A/B amplification – custom tailored to make the most of the frequency response from Voxativ's most accessible line of loudspeakers, the Hagen monitors - The Hagen Absolut.

To play music, all you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer to wirelessly connect your source files or streaming service (TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, ROON endpoint, etc.) to the Absolut Box via WiFi, AirPlay or Bluetooth (APTX). And the best thing... all this for only $7,900.

The Voxativ Hagen Absolut System consists of:
- a pair of Voxativ Hagen speakers with AF-1n drivers
- Absolut Box for Hagen speakers
- a pair Voxativ Speaker Cables, 2 meter

 

[Joe P]

https://www.andoveraudio.com/collections/all/products/model-one-record-player

 

[JayR]

I am currently using a Devialet D200/ Audio Physic Virgo 25/ Rega RP6 system in a larger room. If they are willing to buy used, it should be possible to assemble a similar system within that budget. However, auditioning components before buying might be an issue.

If they are in the PNW, they are welcome to come home and check it out.

 

[KeithR]

About half of that should go to the speakers, so I’d take him to a few dealers and hear $3500 speakers and see what kind of sound he enjoys. Not enough inputs to make a suggestion.

 

[DaveC]

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/colle.../super-alnico-high-output?variant=32197537356

plus a SET tube amp.

Or ELAC, Revel, JBL for more conventional choices.

 

[hogen]

Tell him to bump it up a bit to $7900 and get the Voxativ Absolut Hagen system. I heard it at CAS, and it sounds really good. It is also uncomplicated for a lot of functionality, though cell phone is used to communicate with it.

Hook up the turntable/phono pre to the analog inputs. Has all the streaming stuff and input DAC for CD etc.

The Voxativ Absolut Hagen System

Tired of having lots of stereo devices, interconnect and power cables in your living room? Why so complicated? The Absolut Box is a hand-crafted component combining a cutting-edge DAC/DSP with Class A/B amplification – custom tailored to make the most of the frequency response from Voxativ's most accessible line of loudspeakers, the Hagen monitors - The Hagen Absolut.

To play music, all you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer to wirelessly connect your source files or streaming service (TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, ROON endpoint, etc.) to the Absolut Box via WiFi, AirPlay or Bluetooth (APTX). And the best thing... all this for only $7,900.

The Voxativ Hagen Absolut System consists of:
- a pair of Voxativ Hagen speakers with AF-1n drivers
- Absolut Box for Hagen speakers
- a pair Voxativ Speaker Cables, 2 meterView attachment 59300

This system was good in Munich also I think.

 

[LL21]

Magnepan 1.7s
JL Fathom F112/113
Or alternatively, get Rockport Merak Sheritan II - 2nd hand and skip Maggie/JL combination
McIntosh integrated?
Oppo BD83SE or other 2nd hand Oppo Player

 

[howiebrou]

Pay someone to rip his CDs,
Get an used Mcintosh MA6700 integrated amp with built in phono and Dac
Get an Avid Ingenium tt
Used JBLs
Done.

 

[Gregadd]

Save more money. The system I saw for $10k may be available at a additional 20% off.

 

[Gregadd]

Vpi $550
Technics SL $1200 1650
Martin Logan sub $ 800
Parasound Halo 2.1 $2500
Sumiko Blue Point $ 400
Magnepan IRS. $600
Anticables ?$200
Basic system w/sales 6% sales tax $7102.++
Optional Lampazator Amber 3 DAC $2700..
All available via internet. 30 day trial

 

[thomask]

Streamer: Bluesound Node 2i

Lyngdorf 2170(pre, Dac, power and room correction) 4K$ new(2800$ used)

and my used pair of Vaugn Cabernet speaker( I may sell it at 3800$)
http://www.stereomojo.com/Onix XCD-50 and XIA160 review/XCD-50ReferenceCDPlayerReview.htm

or
Tekton Design Double impact(3k$ basic version)


Silnote digital and speaker cable (100$ for digital and 500$ for 8ft pair speaker cable)

Then he can get nice system around 7k-8k $.

 

[steve59]

a used pair of 7200's a 218 and affordable turntable.

 

[Folsom]

a used pair of 7200's a 218 and affordable turntable.

???