System for Under US$10,000 MSRP

[tima]

How can that possibly fit in the specified budget? Can I tell him you'll buy it for him?

You can tell him anything you want, Ron.

I responded to your choice. Regardless of cost, it wasn't a good one.

 

[tima]

Better yet to get an ultrasonic cleaner.

The technology is mature and effective while continuing to improve. How 'bout a Humminguru for $350?

HumminGuru - an inexpensive desktop RCM

Kick-start-up HumminGuru from the Zhuhai China company Happy Well International is releasing a desktop ultrasonic vinyl record cleaner. Designed in HK this unit appears to offer one record single-slot operation at 40kHz, has 2 transducers and a removable water tank, drains by gravity (?), and...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[abeidrov]

Living Voice Auditorium R25A at $6350 is another speaker option, although it would eat more than 50% of the budget. But it is a Living Voice!
https://www.borderpatrol.net/loudspeakers/

 

[morricab]

Living Voice Auditorium R25A at $6350 is another speaker option, although it would eat more than 50% of the budget. But it is a Living Voice!
https://www.borderpatrol.net/loudspeakers/

Their Auditorium speaker line is very good. Play nice as well with low powered amps.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Living Voice Auditorium R25A at $6350 is another speaker option, although it would eat more than 50% of the budget. But it is a Living Voice!
https://www.borderpatrol.net/loudspeakers/

Now this looks to me like a great idea! Small floor stander, natural and smooth-ish sounding according to the review, easy to drive, in the price range.

Thank you!

I wrote to Border Patrol to see if I can send my friend to hear them somewhere in New York City.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Their Auditorium speaker line is very good. Play nice as well with low powered amps.

What solid-state integrated amplifier, preferably with built-in phono stage, would you recommend for R25As, Brad?

 

[Lee]

How could an ultrasonic cleaner possibly fit in the specified budget?

Was thinking the HumminGuru possibly. Not sure how well it cleans. That might be a later phase purchase. Also you can do a DIY solution using an Amazon bought jewelry cleaner.

 

[Ron Resnick]

You can tell him anything you want, Ron.

I responded to your choice. Regardless of cost, it wasn't a good one.

Thank you, Tim. I apologize for being sarcastic.

Serious question: is there any decent record cleaning machine in the <$500 range which operates like the VPI 16.5 (squirt liquid, rotates record, vacuumed up by a tube)?

 

[morricab]

What solid-state integrated amplifier, preferably with built-in phono stage, would you recommend for R25As, Brad?

For less than $4K? Tough one...have to think...maybe a hybrid like the Pathos Classic one...not sure if that is less the $4K anymore.

 

[Lee]

For less than $4K? Tough one...have to think...maybe a hybrid like the Pathos Classic one...not sure if that is less the $4K anymore.

I was looking at the Pathos options last night. If you do that and then add $4-5K speakers it's tricky to get a decent turntable. $10K is a tough budget in so many ways.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Hopefully, my friend wants to make a bit of a fun project out of this. If so I will send him to In Living Stereo in Manhattan. They carry DeVore and Rega and naim and bluesound.

They probably can demo for him an expensive turntable versus an expensive streaming set-up.

That store seems like the right speed for this project.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I was looking at the Pathos options last night. If you do that and then add $4-5K speakers it's tricky to get a decent turntable. $10K is a tough budget in so many ways.

I am going to push him to go a little above $10,000. As a threshold matter I have to see if he is open to tubes at all.

 

[Lee]

I am going to push him to go a little above $10,000. As a threshold matter I have to see if he is open to tubes at all.

Good. I do feel that adding another $1,000-$1,500 would open up a lot more options.

 

[Ron Resnick]

By the way, I don't do "buddies." Marc has been a very close, dear friend for 37 years.

So your efforts for him are much appreciated!

 

[Ron Resnick]

This review of the R25As is less enthusiastic:

Living Voice Auditorium R25A Loudspeaker - The Absolute Sound

Living Voice Auditorium R25A Loudspeaker - Robert E. Greene offers an in-depth analysis of the 25th anniversary version of this high-sensitivity speaker from England.

www.theabsolutesound.com

 

[Ron Resnick]

And what about a Schitt amp and preamp for a total of about $1,200?

 

[Stefan]

Another vote for the Living Voice Auditorium R25A. In my experience, it is an exceptional speaker at the price point and could be an anchor product for a musical system with many upgrade possibilities in the future. The beauty of R25A is that they sound good, with almost all amps I tried on them, from entry-level SS amps to Shindo gear. The Jadis Orchestra Black was perhaps in the sweet spot of all the amps regarding affordability and at roughly the same price point as the speakers. I didn't get the chance to try a Pathos Classic One, but it should also be a great match. A small Sugden A21 amp might also be a great choice, especially as I know Kevin Scott, the designer, also relies on Sugden amps in specific installations in the UK.

Less sure about the source though and bring the complete system home below $10K

Regards
Stefan
Caveat: I am the agent for LV, Pathos and Jadis amongst other brands.

 

[Stefan]

This review of the R25As is less enthusiastic:

Living Voice Auditorium R25A Loudspeaker - The Absolute Sound

Living Voice Auditorium R25A Loudspeaker - Robert E. Greene offers an in-depth analysis of the 25th anniversary version of this high-sensitivity speaker from England.

www.theabsolutesound.com

This is the one and only sceptical review of the R25A, and even though less enthusiastic some virtues of the speaker were hard to ignore. The list of over-the-top reviews is pages long. Somehow, I felt the ABS reviewer was trying to make an anti-statement in the sea of exceptional reviews.

But as declared, I am biased.
Stefan

 

[andromedaaudio]

I heard these at Munich 22 , this is the version with external X over , very good LS to my ears, best small Ls together with the magico A 5 ( i think it was) of both the marriot and MOC show 22

Better then the much more expensive model that i heard at Munich 23 ( with " ellipticor" scanspeak units )

 

[Ron Resnick]

Sugden A21 looks good!