Magneplanar 1.7s to Recruit New Audiophile?


I may be asked for advice on an office/retreat system over a garage or poolhouse to be completed this summer.

Although the budget could be $5-10K plus, this would presumably be if domineering wives or architects were expecting an array of in wall speakers, Creston touch panels and multi channel home theatre junk blah blah blah.

There is hope, however, because this person genuinely loves music and movies.

Therefore, I am hoping to somehow propose the following:

* Oppo Blu Ray / Universal player
* Lenovo or Apple notebook for Pandora, music and movies
* Benchmark DAC / Pre 1
* Odyssey Khartago Monoblocks
* Magneplanar 1.7s
* Signal Cable cables throughout
* Sony LED HDTV from Costco

If anyone thinks they could do better for the money, please let me know,but to me, that would be a great little system for music or movies!
cwlondon
With the exception of the Sony TV, I'm on board......in principle.
I've had some bad luck recently with Sony. My SXRD is dying from the same disease every RPTV made by Sony has died........

I'd go with a 'd' amp, too. An ICE based amp would be nice.

Top of the line Vizeo, perhaps?

Send wives to spa for weekend while you and your buddy 'do the deed'.

Ha - thanks Magfan.

I dont know about RPTV's but every CRT and LCD Sony screen I have ever had was great and lasted for years.

Sony gets bashed a lot, but its perhaps the one brand where I drink by the label.

And although they sell out quickly, Costco gets the just barely discontinued models, sells them for huge discounts vs. say, a Best Buy and has a 90 day, no questions asked, no restocking fee, and no problem if you threw away all the packing and original box return policy.

How can you beat that?

Re ICE why would that be better? Any specific suggestions?

I would also think a monster pair of Bryston monoblocks would work great on small Magnepans, but in keeping with the budget on this project, the Odysseys sound pretty bulletproof and are significantly less money.


In a related thread, there is a debate going on about new 1.7s vs used Tympanis, 3.3s, 3.6s etc.

So we could also work that into the argument, although I think the person in question might not like used anything, regardless of the logic.
Maggies need a lot of room (at least 3-4' from the back wall and 2-3'from the side walls) and IMHO lots of power & propper placement to sound good. If you don't have the room get other speakers. Used 1.6 speakers should be considered as well as a used innersound esl 300 mark 2 amp. Let someone else break them in and you'll save 50-60%. Or, you might consider the EAD Ovation signature theatermaster and powermaster 2000 presently for sale on Agon. That should run you around $4,000 for speakers/proccessor and amp. If you don't go the EAD combo (can be upgraded by noble electronics) I'd add a tube pre-amp to an innersound SS amp and separate DAC to warm up the SS sound. I use a lector zoe and McCormack dac deluxe. You might consider the Zoe and Bel Canto dac 2 for another $2-3,000. As for a TV, The new panasonic plasma ST models should outperform LED LCD TV's. Look for plasma and LCD Easter sales at 6 ave electronics or electronics expo in NY/NJ. So, that should bring you up to $7-8,000. The blu ray/cd player is up to you. If you play blu ray through your laptop get a good transport for music to use with your dac PS audio lambda, pioneer PD65,proceed CDD etc. or keep it simple with an all in one Oppo. As for cables, you will experiment & eventually upgrade. Signal cables and Blue Jean cables are a good place to start. Good luck with your project.