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Need New 2 Channel System for under 25K

Hi,

Trying to help a friend set up a new 2 channel system for his office where he spends 12hour days.
Hi budget is $25K MAX on the entire system.  The office is 8'x12' with 8ft ceiling. It has a large desk and several book shelves and large window. 

He wants to stream from the Internet or from his NAS drive and play CDs.

He wants to spend the money in phases and he is not in a rush.  He also wants the system to be bookshelf based (make sense for a smaller size room like this), but wants to start by purchasing electronics first (this is because he has a pair of lower-midlevel Focal bookshelves and a pair of lower-midlevel Sonus Faber bookshelf's so he wants to play around with those speakers first and then upgrade to the strategic bookshelves when he gets some more funds.
 Ability to plug in headphones into the electronics is definitely a plus and headphones themselves are not part of the 25k budget as he has Sennheiser HD600 and his happy with them for now. 

According to him, physicals size of components is not that important to him, but I know that it will become important later in a small office like his.  He is also into esthetics of his systems.

So I we were thinking of going with 'used' components to get more value but with relatively newer models
For example, if it is possible to find in USED but good condition: 
 1. -Simaudio 680D V2, and 600I V2 together for $12.5K, that would be good  (no CD playback here however and no headphone amp, but thats ok)
 2. -Bit later get a pair of Focal Diablos for about $7.5K if possible 
 3. -That leaves about $5K for cables, power conditioning, cords, Interconnects, etc.

The electronics can stand on his desk (if they fit), or can be put on a rack (which would also need to be purchased)

The Simaudio components are good size and very good quality and I think the system would synergize together very well.

Can any one suggest something comparable or better for the money based on the requirements.  Also If we can get a comparable system in a different brand for less money, that would be great.  (i.e. Perhaps  Lumin Streamer/DAC with a Pass labs INT 250 and pair of Paradigm Persona Bookshelves :)

Please let me know if there are any other details I can provide.
Thank you in advance!

jmarshak
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
Hi, As an update,

My friend is shying away from active monitors. Wants to have more options with using different components with time.  I get that.

So right now, we are narrowing down the Integrated Amp to be one of the Pass Labs models.  I personally never head their integrated (just had their separates), but I assume they are fabulous like all their stuff.   If we still can find a good Simaudio Integrated, would consider

We also want to narrow down what DAC/Streamer to get to match. 

Auralic Vega Gx? /PS Audio Direct Stream Sr / Lumin / Simaudio??

Right now, bookshelves are still slated to be Focal Micro Utopia Bes or Diablos

coffee-jerk
74 posts
 
After my subwoofer, the second most important feature of my office system is a big, fat volume knob that I can reach from my computer when I answer the phone.  Especially if I can't find the remote, or pause the DAC, etc. etc.
nealkot
25 posts
 
What kind of music does your friend listen too? What kind of sound is he/she looking for? Is this primarily for low volume listening? Is this strictly a 2.0 setup or would a sub be considered (given that monitors are preferred)? 
 I think for $25k whatever your friend ends up will sound good... how good depends on the room and the questions above. I would probably spend 40% on speakers, 30% on source(s), 20% on (integrated) amp, and 10% on cables, power conditioning, isolation....then again, I would buy analog actives and a real nice DAC/PRE (and a CD transport if I wanted to spin the silver discs) and call it a day. ATC SCM 19 actives (not bookshelf speakers, save $ on stands) for example. just my $.02. 
jmarshak OP
157 posts
 
@coffeeman - You are 100% right about that volume knob,
its got to be close! :)

Regarding the sub, we will need to see. Good point that the system should have the option to add that sub in lower hz are required for correction. Its a ’small’ room and fatigue will become a big factor, so trying to keep away from subs if possible but the ’Option’ to have a sub at some point makes sense. Thank you.

@nealkot,
I asked him your questions and answers are below: 

  1.What kind of music does he listen to in the office? - Jazz, Classical

  2.What kind of sound is he looking for?  - Soft, crispy, clear

  3.Does he listen at  low, med or high volume? - Low and Med

  4. Would he consider a sub - Yes

Basically,  He can use his larger systems for big sound stage, etc.
Personally, I like your percent break up costs by equipment type. I would have used more for the Amps/Preamps and less for the front ends, but I think you are right for modern systems, especially for a smaller office ones. Again, not sure he will warm up to active speakers but I always wanted to try ATCs :). We will see if we can find some options to consider.  Thank you for your recommendations.
coffee-jerk
74 posts
 
I might need to revise my response, as I listen to a lot of recordings that a few of my clients would not recognize as "music", so easy access to the big, fat volume knob would be number 1.  The subwoofer would be number 2.  Sounding good a low volume would be number 3.  

Sorry, I know we are talking about your friend's priorities, not mine.
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