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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
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.
mesch
3,481 posts
 
I would think the Yamaha 301 would work fine for your application. I have not heard the Pioneer floor standers (FS52) however own a pair of the bookshelf models (BS22) and find them great/$$$. I understand that the FS52s will go deeper and play louder. 

213runnin
914 posts
 
Unfortunately many have missed the basic requirement.  The OP wants to play his digital files, and none of the old used pieces suggested can do that.  Plus, the high risk of break down of these old pieces makes them a bad risk.



mesch
3,481 posts
 
Have you looked into a docking station for your iphone/ipad. I believe one could be found that would transmit SPDIF to the Yamaha DAC. I am not real familiar with what is available as I use a MACbook Pro for my 2nd system. 

scotth50
2 posts
 

I just found this thread so the response might be a bit late to help.

I have four systems in my home and in my budget system I have the Pioneer FS52s and the Yamaha AS301 and sitting on top of the FS52s (temporarily) are the new Elac B6s. I also have a second set of FS52 in the master bedroom and a set of BS22s in the garage.

The FS52 or Elac B6s and the Yamaha AS301 work quite well together.

The FS52 color balance a bit more to the warm side, but soundstages very well for a very cheap speaker, but gets congested at higher volume on all of my amps. It’s great used at lower levels.

The Elac B6 is what everyone is saying about it. it’s no more efficient than the Pioneer, but plays clean and loud with very good bass for a tiny bookshelf (stand mount). These don’t work at all well right up against a wall (rear port) forget it as a bookshelf. Mine are 70" out from the wall.

They are very neutral, detailed and a little less warm than the Pioneers, but big thing is that they don’t go to pieces at high volume like the Pioneers do. Also great soundstage, depth, width that easily goes beyond the outer edges of the speakers on the right material.

Although a little late, I hope this helps.

"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.)"

Try steaming Santa Monica College's 89.9 KCRW.  IMO, the best, by far, of the public broadcasting stations. 




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