Cult Classics for Young Future Audiophile

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The Acoustic Energy AEgis series has been replaced by the AEgis EVO series, hence the great pricing.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.

All of the suggestions above have considerable merit, so I'd like to take a slightly different approach to your post.

Based on my experiences introducing my son (now 34) into the audio hobby, I learned some things that may be useful for you to consider:
1. Kids tend to "crank up" the sound level, despite parental warnings not to abuse the audio system. Hence, you should get equipment that will withstand some abuse.
2. Given the previous statement, the corollary is that it makes sense to buy a higher powered amplifier, since clipping distortion is the fastest way to "fry" a speaker (my son did exactly this...).
3. Buy a reasonably priced power amp that has enough "juice" for the kind of music your kids will listen to. The Hafler DH-200 or DH-220 would be an excellent choice, if that's what you are inclined to get. The Hafler DH-110 preamp would make a good companion unit.
4. Buy speakers that offer good sound quality (to set some standards for the neophyte listener), but is still reasonably rugged, and will play to moderately loud volumes without needing huge amounts of amplifier. For this reason, I would NOT recommend planars or electrostatics for the "newbie".

It's a lot of fun to watch your kid(s) begin to listen to and enjoy properly reproduced music, and it gives the parent a chance to introduce their child to new music (maybe some classical, some blues, some jazz, etc.). I think it's great that you are doing this, and it should be a lot of fun.

Scott, good practical thinking! Add an original Adcom GFA 555 as a possible amp as well, my son has been using that since he was a teenager with the preamp portion of an NAD 7225 and loves it.