2. amps-preamps
  3. 1448843113

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
rose_2 OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for all the help! As the studio is under reconstruction speaker placement can be anywhere. And floor-standing speakers would be fine.

I'm thinking of placing the speakers about 13' from my easel and 14' apart because that will be the cleanest area. elevick - you're right, there will be a large canvas between me and the speakers and I assume the sound waves will bounce off the (usually empty) sheetrocked wall about 19' behind me. The windows on that wall will start at about 78" from the floor. I'm researching mono switches right now (I never knew what they were for.)

I forgot to mention that I will be listening to NPR on Saturdays. I've got a Parasound T3 tuner stashed away OR I would need a receiver w/ FM (the Audioengine set-up won't work for me.)
lynroe53's avatar
lynroe53
63 posts
 
Bryston B60-SST
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
rose...
When speakers are so wide apart (14'), you will not get the true "imaging" or "mixing" of the music. If listening to stereo while at your easel, speakers need to be closer together to hear the complete musical soundstage.
   Just a bit of advice, maybe 8 to 10 feet apart. And if adding a rear set of speakers, you'll fill the room with music.

And once you're all set up, you can put foam panels or canvas on the walls to absorb some of the sound waves bouncing around.
mesch
3,481 posts
 
There is an NAD 320BEE for sale here on AG.  I would consider that for a start. 

The Pioneer Andrew Jones Towers retail new for $129 each. Forgot model number.

I also enjoy NPR on Sunday mornings.

rose_2 OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the info mesch - the NAD is appealing. I was looking at the lower end Yamaha last night because it has a DAC (AS-301 & 501), which would save me the cost of a separate unit. I'm also considering the Sherwood linked by oregonpapa above. At home in recent years I've had an Onkyo (good, but burnt out right after the warranty ended) and an Outlaw RR2150 (which I like.) 

And you've listened to those speakers? That's a good price. I migrated over to the Fluance website and a pair there is $500 with glowing reviews. For this space I think tower speakers makes sense. 

lowrider_57 - thanks! I'll keep that in mind. I need my walls clear for hanging paintings and for large drawings but there are always a lot of large canvases to be moved around if I need to.
More to discover