I would recommend demoing as much equipment as possible. This may require establishing a good relationship with one or more audio shops in the area or dealing with equipment ordered online with a trial period. I will +1 the Rega recommendation, especially if she wants to get into vinyl down the road. Rega is quite well represented here in the states.
What are the best entry level integrated amps and speakers?
My daughter just got a new place and wants to upgrade her Best Buy based stereo system. She is only interested in two channel stereo (good for her). I told her if you're willing to get used equipment of high quality you'll get a better system like I did (Krell, Ayre, Revel). We are looking for an integrated amp and speakers. The amp should put out 75-100 watts. She has enough room for floor standing speakers or something smaller. So far I have researched NAD and Outlaw for amps and PSB for speakers. What would you recommend? I think the budget will be $1,000-1,500.
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
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- 51 posts total
Some lightly used KEF LS50s or Paradigm Monitors (like PSB, Canadian sound) coupled with a decent integrated amp/DAC combo like a used Peachtree or NAD would be a little over $1500, but all of those components (esp. KEFs and Peachtree) are very "cool" and artistic looking - and small enough to blend in, which is something that a woman might appreciate. Plus the sound would be very unlikely to offend any listener or do a disservice to any particular musical style. The Class D amp would run cool, and be capable of powering even the most difficult loads for when your daughter decides to go with electrostatic speakers ;-) For example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Peachtree-Audio-nova150-Integrated-Amplifier-with-DAC-B-Stock/222908273509?hash=item33e65e5365:g:~doAAOSwZrhahJF4 https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Piano-Black-KEF-LS50-Speakers-Flagship-Music-Sound-Stereo-Audio-SP3787BA... Or: https://www.ebay.com/itm/REFURBISHED-NAD-C368-INTEGRATED-AMP-C-368-WARRANTY/273054089189?hash=item3f... (Class D Hypex internals with NAD "house" sound and excellent build quality and a very respectable phono input stage). Also a cheaper approach would be active speakers with a built in DAC such as the Vanatoo Transparent One (I’m guessing the Zeros wouldn’t be big enough). If you’re feeling really crazy, go with Devialet. I hear they’re worth every penny and they’re scalable (you can add a second one for a crazy good sounding stereo system): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Devialet-Silver-Phantom/192506840966?epid=529767853&hash=item2cd24d4786... |
Without doubt, it's Wharfedale Denton at $499 a pair, I've tried Elac B6, Monitor Audio Bronze BX2, Q Acoustics 3020, sound really not bad, but not enough to fill the musical gap offered by the Denton, indeed I can say there are better speakers than Denton but absolutely not at price $499, speakers like KEF LS50, Harbeth P3, Dynaudio Focus series, ProAc D2 should offer more transparency and dynamic but cost much much more which I would not consider it's entry level price, the Denton can be said to offer near to high end sound with entry level price, I'm driving it with a Class D Audio SDS-470C power amp with DAC Fostex HP-A3, which is another budget friendly power amp |
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