Cult Classics for Young Future Audiophile

A little more expensive, but maybe worth it:

Prices are for used gear:

Paradigm Monitor 5's ~ $350(?) (around 500 new - no ads)
Creek 4330 ~ $400 (one for sale here)
Nad CDP ~ $150 (couple of ads around this price)

Hey MWilson and Aboldor, have you guys heard these systems you mentioned. Ive seen a lot of this stuff available on A'gon and am also interested i setting something like this up. What are their sound characteristics? I think this info would help us both.

Yes, I can comment on most of my recommendations.

I own the ST-140 (black with gold handles model, 1989 - 105w, not the earlier 70w or later 105w with blue stripes). It has a truly classic and characteristic sound. Even with better amplifiers in other systems, I greatly enjoy listening to this amp, and do so often. It is very mellow, not harsh, and is "tubelike" in presentation. Wide soundstage, not forward and compressed. Laid back and very musical. Nothing like their newer amps, which now lean toward clinical and bright.

The Marantz CDP-5000 is a solidly-built unit that is the basis for the AH! Tjoeb line of modified tubed CD players from the Netherlands. It is a very solid player, with a sturdy platter, easy interface, and good (if small) remote. It sounds excellent by itself, and with a good cheap DAC, is a solid transport that you can be happy with for a long time.

The Acoustic Energy AEgis series has been replaced by the AEgis EVO series, hence the great pricing. As far as I can tell (I own the Aegis EVO 3 floorstanders, and have purchased and set up the older Aegis 3s for a friend), the EVO series is a minor revision, with cosmetic upgrades, perhaps a couple structural mods, and a woofer swap in the EVO 3. Their speakers are designed in UK, built in China, and actually have very good fit + finish for the price. The sound is excellent - very detailed + involving sound, and very fast.

The Threshold/Forte recommendation comes as a me-too on their reputation as classics, and their easy availability. I have not heard them.

Mike

All great ideas and thank you very much, everyone.

While it makes perfect sense to buy newer gear that sounds good and works well, I was hoping to indulge my audiophile ego and encourage the obsessive, purist enthusiast tendencies to see if he responds. Hence, my interest in Maggies, Apt Holman, Haflers, etc.

To give you an automotive analogy, if he were turning 16, I would rather give him a BMW 2002 tii, than a newer "hot hatch", even thought the latter would probably be more reliable and faster.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it just seems a lot more interest and stylish to me. Or do I completely misunderstand kids' thought processes? Maybe an MP-3 jukebox would make him happier?!?!? Or would it be "cool" to have thin planar speakers like his Uncle?

I will probably persist -- just in case he too, might one day have the sublime pleasure of worrying about the quality of his AC outlets etc......

CW - I would think planar's would fall into the category of "cool" though maybe not until a couple more years go by - my 12 year old son would be oblivious, my 15 year old daughter would be more appreciative. However, in either case an I-POD might make them just as happy.

Great idea though, hooking him young before he is ruined by MP-3's.