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Help? Stereo for art studio, under $1k

I'm converting an old workshop into my new painting studio and can use some advise or direction on a simple stereo system. The studio is 27' x 33' with a 9' ceiling. The floor is cement, furnishings will be minimal, I believe the walls will be insulated w/ sheetrock. Some windows w/ no blinds.

The challenge is my budget: definitely under $1,000. I'd like an integrated amp or receiver, two speakers, and a way to listen to my digital music collection. Right now I've got music on my iPhone, iPad, iMac. At home I listen to vinyl and cd's but here I need to press start and then not touch the system as my hands have paint on them and I can't change cd's. No internet there yet.

I mostly listen to current music - Monsters & Men, Black Keys, Rhiannon Giddens, Arcade Fire, etc. Very little classical. Volume will be a little high. This is a separate building on 14 acres.

Advise is really welcome: which amp or receiver do you recommend? Which speakers? Thoughts on music player or server?
rose_2
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
Rose ...

Let me save you a lot of money. Here's the bang for the bucks:

1. A used Sherwood 7100 or 7100-A receiver. The 7100 is more tube like. The 7100-A more solid state.

2. A used Kyocera cd player.

3. A pair of Audioengine P4 speakers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sherwood-S-7100-A-Vintage-Receiver-Tested-Works-Great-/141825982522?hash=item21057cc03a:g:nHMAAOSwjVVVotCC

http://www.ebay.com/itm/kyocera-DA-410cx-Compact-Disc-Player-Japanese-See-Video-/231740548925?hash=item35f4d0273d:g:RYwAAOSwN81WDcEP

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Passive-Speaker-Systems/P4B-Passive-Bookshelf-Speakers

This will make for a great sounding studio or garage system.
mesch
3,466 posts
 
You can get a new Pioneer A-20 integrated amplifier for $270. It is the least expensive integrated I can recommend.

Look into a i phone/iPad dock, i believe these are available that will take the digital signal phone/pad and convert to analog.

What are your restrictions regarding speaker placement? There are many speakers that would mate with the Pioneer amp.
czarivey
5,939 posts
 
My workshop system may help:
Sansui 1500 speakers ($60)
Alesis RA100 amp 75wpc $80
MTX 3000 analogue DJ mixer $20
I use RCA-TRS(1/4") wires between mixer and amp $11 generic ones available at nearest Guitar Center
All purchased on flea market and thrift stores.
The main and the best sounding component in my system I believe is the little Alesis amp that impressed me far more than most of current high-end amps below $1000 I also believe that it can also be modified to handle lower than 4Ohms loads continuously. Other than that, it's dual-mono design with discrete low-noise circuitry and low negative feedback.  It's perfect for studio-mastering applications with transparent and open sound with speed and control. I get pretty large volumes as my work-shop is part of large art-studio area.


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