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Helping a friend build a new system

A good family friend has recently retired and is looking to build a system for his home office. He used to own a nice sound system some 25 years ago but hasn't been actively pursuing the hobby. He was visiting my home a few weeks ago and I guess listening to my system must have inspired him to finally build a new one. He asked me to help set up a new system (new to him, he's willing to buy used). I asked him a bunch of questions to find out what he wants and how much he is willing to spend. His responses are summarized below:

1. Budget -- since he's retired he wants to keep the total system budget to around $7-8K (including cables)
2. Components Needed -- bookshelf speakers, integrated amp, cables. He already has a CD player which would do for now, but he might get into streaming later on. He owns a few hundred CDs.
3. Room size -- around 10x12 with 10 foot ceilings. Fully carpeted with some furniture.  
4. Music genres -- jazz, blues, vocals (he's a big fan of Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Billy Holiday, etc.), and R&B
5. Listening preferences -- he is looking for an 'intimate' and cozy experience and wants to try tube amps with high sensitivity bookshelf speakers. He mostly listens at a moderate volume and can be sensitive to high frequencies.

He also mentioned that he has some hearing loss since he's in his early 60s and suffers from a mild case of tinnitus. I'm not sure if this plays a role in the choice of components but I thought it's worth mentioning just in case.

I will really appreciate it if you guys can provide some pointers. Please remember that he is retired so $8k is absolutely the max he can do. System synergy is important. And, please no Tekton or class D recommendations. He really wants to try some affordable tube gear as a starting point.

128x128arafiq
terry9
2,318 posts
 
Two things: what I like and what your friend likes may be very, very different. The only sane way to buy hardware is to audition, audition, and audition some more. Then make a decision. A specialist dealer is your friend. But remember: your ears, your money, your decision.

Second, cables (power, interconnect, speaker) offer the least bang for the buck. I suggest that you spend the money on better components, which, if chosen correctly, will offer much better return on investment. Connect them with literally the cheapest cables you can buy.

Yes, cables can make a difference. Just not much of a difference compared to upgrading a major component.

My interconnects are made from microphone cable, $1 a foot, connectors $30. That’s good enough for a system with a phono cartridge valued at more than your budget. I suggest that you set up with cheapest cables and test any cables before you buy. Compare cheap to expensive. Your ears, your money, your decision.



IMO
henry53's avatar
henry53
280 posts
 
Unison Research S2K with Proac Response Dr2. $7000 on the nose. ProAc are 88.5 dB which is good for bookshelf speakers. UR S2K is very good with them and smooth enough to love jazz and blues.
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,652 posts
 
Some amazing recommendations and ideas! A huge thanks to everyone who contributed.

So I talked to my friend on the phone a few hours ago and told him to take a look at this thread. I want to clarify a few things though ...

1. At this point, he really wants to experiment with tube amplifiers. This is not to say that he considers SS inferior, but I guess you can call it an itch that he must scratch. So I want to respect his wishes and only focus on tube integrated amps.

2. He was using the terms standmount and bookshelf interchangeably. He is fine with using speakers with stands. He was a little shocked when I told him the prices for some nice stands, but I think he should be fine with reasonably price stands from the likes of Pangea.

3. A few of you are wondering why I didn’t suggest Harbeth speakers. After all I have owned P3esr’s in the past, and currently own SHL5+ and M30.1s. So why not just suggest Harbeth? I don’t know, for some reason I feel that with Harbeths you have to match them with good solid state to get the best of out of them. If you must try tubes then you have to go for the big iron, class A, KT150 type of tube amps which can be expensive. That’s why I am a bit hesitant. My thinking is that if he gets high efficiency speakers ( >90 db), he can get away with modestly powered tube amps ... basically, more affordable choices.

4. He feels that he can stretch his budget much farther when buying used equipment, and I concur. Obviously, buying used has its disadvantages and risks. He won’t be able to audition and has to choose between what’s available. I told him to give himself 3 months instead of rushing to buy whatever is currently available in the used market.

II’ve asked my friend to compile a list of speakers and amps mentioned in this thread as a starting point. Hopefully, he is going to make a decision soon.
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,652 posts
 
Another piece of advice I gave to my friend is to buy something that has brand recognition. This is not to suggest that lesser known brands are inferior, but I have a feeling that it will take him a few tries before he settles for something he loves. So if he has to sell in the meantime, I don't want him to take a big hit.
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
I recommend Rogue Sphinx integrated amp. It does have a class D back end but has the tube sound. It has two sets of preouts one variable and one not for maybe a headphone amp and subwoofers if he wants. Plus, a built in phono stage along with three other line inputs. Dali Minuet or Totem rain makers. Both have good bass, they are small, and disappear. 
BlueSound Node or Vault if he wants to rip his cd collection too. Straightwire cables. Change the power cable to the Black Thunder. Very clean, powerful, neutral sounding cables at various prices. Rel T9x or T9i to save a few bucks or JL Audio sub like the D108. The KEF KC62 is good but I have seen it has placement issues. Last but not least is IsoAcoustics. Not cheap but make the system. ZaZen II or three Bordeaux Orea for the Sphinx and Aperta speaker stands. Also, another platform like the ZAZen to handle the turntable. This is going to be $800 to $1000 for the isolation equipment. This store in the Chicagoland area has all of this except for the Totems, but they do have a used REL T9 subwoofer. https://holmaudio.com/They will let him try before he buys. If he can swing it a Puritan PSM136 power conditioner. I should have put this first. The foundation is the most important unless he can run a dedicated line from the panel. 

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