Recommendations for a modestly-priced audio system?


Gents,
My friend asked me to put together an audio system for her to replace her very old system.    She wants an integrated amp that will take an input from her TT.  God knows the condition of her cartridge and stylus!  There are boatloads of integrated amps with BT-streaming capabilities, which, when she comes to her senses, with get a Spotify/Tidal subscription and forget about her 40-year old collection of ragged vinyl.  Maybe not.  The amp needs to be BT-compatible... no extra components.  

Hopefully, the system will be simple:  an integrated amp and a pair of passive speakers.  The budget is about $1K but I could twist her arm a bit to get to $1.5K.  Recommendations for either the integrated amp and speakers would be very much appreciated, relying on the wealth of knowledge that you fellas have.  I will say that she has a pretty large LV room, sort of an "open room" arrangement, and will need speakers to sufficiently pressurize her large room.

Thanks for any and all input.      
whitestix
As someone who enjoys reading about expensive equipment I’ll never be able to afford I think she would probably bee happy with a Cambridge Audio AXR85 receiver and KEF Q350 speakers. The receiver has a phono input and Bluetooth that works reasonably well within the same room. The speakers go on sale every 6 months which can save a couple hundred dollars but aren’t on sale now.
You need to get some respect for her Vinyl, then help her, make her understand a phono equalization stage needs to be between the cartridge and any ’line level’ input.

TT, cartridge, alignment of cartridge, stylus are all questionable.

My approach:

1. new simple TT with built-in phono eq (these can be turned on or off. ’ON’ already equalized goes straight to any line level, i.e. straight to an Integrated Amp without a phono stage (most).. OFF must go to an external phono eq, somewhere, that then goes to line level.

Audio Technica Belt Drive, optional eq built-in, cartridge pre-installed, aligned, new stylus. $120. (upgrade TT in the future) (add a phono stage later)

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60X-BK-Belt-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Resonance/dp/B07N3XJ66...

Optional Direct Drive, USB out $280.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=audio+technica+turntable&qid=1617987198&sr=8-17-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlVPV1dLRktTWVcyJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjE0NDgwRVpBTjA1WlNWUU5MJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4OTk5MjYxOTVVSlc0OUo4NkJWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYnRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

2. efficient speakers, two way, no ports, nice highs, mids, some bass. (add self-powered sub in future) (upgrade the mains in the future)

3. integrated amp with remote volume. I like having balance, treble, bass, (manual is fine, remote is very nice) and it is always nice to have tone bypass.


Naim Mu-so V2 All-in-One System..Bam

+1 PS Audio Sprout100

The no longer made Peachtree Audio decco125Sky (find one used) does it all and has bluetooth.. Got one for a kid and it's very good for what it is

Spread the love, do a Parts Express DIY speaker build and tell THEM what you're doing. I expect you can get everything you need with good interconnect NEW for under 1500.00 MAYBE even 1000.00.

It's fun, and you can build and prime a pair of GREAT MTM or something close with true audiophile results.  With a little hybrid valve unit and a phono stage built in or separate, NEW and PEs full blown tech support. BT, WiFi, remote all that stuff. Easy peasy..

I built a wonderful system all used except the tube preamp (79.00) and the power amp for under 750.00.

 Infinity RS4b and Sony ES silver spinner.. KILLER little system I used a PE 2.1 50X100 watt class d amp.. Solid as a rock for 3 years now..79.00

A 250.00 valve phono pre is out there NEW.. DJ use them all the time and there are a few to chose from. SS too.. Either or...

IF Vinyl is her thing make sure the VINYL thing is taken care of WELL. :-)

Fruit for thought OP
The PS Audio Sprout/Elac option looks perfect and you're supporting a stand-up business.