One Less Bose Wave Radio in the World


I was pleased when a reasonably rich friend of mine who studied physics, likes good things and is generally well educated on most matters told me that he wanted my help buying a "stereo".

The conversation got a little less interesting when he told me he wanted to "spend no more than $2K" given that $2k is certainly less than his monthly, if not weekly, dinner allowance. But things took a real turn for the worse when he told me that a) he wants it to dock with his iPod and b) preferably have the whole thing in one piece?!

So if I can get him to be flexible on the one piece requirement, could we build an iPod based, Bose Wave radio killing system along the following lines:

* Wadia iPod docking station?
* Cheap as dirt external DAC?
* Cables by Signal Cable?
* Berhinger A500 amplifier(s)(has volume controls)
* Epos or other competent mini monitor?

Hard to believe even that would add up to about $1500 bucks or so and his wife might not approve of more than one box....but wondering how a normal person might react to such a system, when used with their iPod.

What would you suggest in this case?
cwlondon
We can't assume everyone is an audiophile. Non audiophile most likely has a different priority than we do in terms of audio equipment. There is nothing wrong with the Bose wave radio. My uncle has one and he enjoys it very much.
I think the Naim Uniti systems are amazing. I also like the new computer speakers by B & W that simply plug into a iPod.
Though it would be a 2-box solution (plus speakers) I would get a Wadia i170 and a Tact M2150 or S2150.

On the used market that would still leave $600 to $700 for speakers and the Tact will drive most anything on the market ...

If he can stretch the budget by @ $200, the Snell CV is an excellent all around speaker, though large. If mini-monitors are the only option, Aerial 5's are very nice with the Tact amp

Jeff
As Bong of fury mentioned, the Naim Uniti spunds phenominal. It's more than twice his budget though.

The Naim UnitiQute is due out soon. A little less power than the Uniti, but it may sound just as good. It has a built in streamer, iPod digital input, FM and internet tuner, and a few other things I'm sure. It's supposed to be about $2k. Its built into Naim's half width chassis (like some of their power supplies).

I haven't heard the Peachtree iDecco either, but the price and functionallity definitely seems to fit.