2. speakers
  3. 1331262526

Help Recommend a Good System for $2000.

Hi, A good friend and I are helping another friend to assemble a system on a budget and we are hoping to receive some input from fellow Audiogoners. The room dimensions are: 15' front and back walls (front walls are heavily draped windows and listening position will be a couch beneath the windows,) the side walls are 12'.
Blues,classic rock (plays guitar,loves the Beatles.)I would say acoustic/elec guitar and definately vocals comprise most of his listening.
His budget is $2000 for full range Spkrs (above say 38HZ) SS Amp&Preamp or Integrated, a HDMI DVD/CD source,(this could be a dedicated notebook PC as internet radio is desired as well)We'll need to allow $ for Cables.
Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.
resuviator
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Hi there,
I am sure you will get many great recommendations here.
I would imagine that there are thousands of combinations that could work well for your friend.
I would look real hard at the Meadowlark Audio Kestral Hotrods being sold here.
Maybe NAD for an integrated amp, and an Oppo 980h for cd,SACD, etc.
Todd
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
given the music selection, i have heard the following and owned some of these components or seriously considered them. i go second-hand/demo whenever i can:

Oppo Blu-Ray player
Sonus Faber Concerto Grand (2nd hand now avail on AGon)
Krell KAV 300i (2nd hand)
Including cables, probably end up at less than 2500.

good luck and pls keep us posted.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Rega Brio R Integrated combination with Vandersteen 1CI
loudspeakers offer superb performance
This Phase and time correct boxless floor stander design offers lofty drivers trick internal xover parts clarity bass extension to 38 HZ.
The Rega is a solid campact large transformer design with a pair of Sanken outputs remote control plenty of inputs as well as Phono for real Hi rez Rega Made in England and Vandersteen speakers Made in USA...
Dealer for both Best JohnnyR
resuviator OP
14 posts
 
Thank you, some nice recommendations.
The Kestrals are spkrs I've owned and enjoyed with an Electrocompaniet integrated,however that might be more to my taste than my friends, but remain a possibility. I am not familar with Sonus Faber Spkrs. Yes mos def 2nd hand purchases are the way to go (except maybe part of the digital end, which will be a necessary part of the $2000 budget.)So I guess Spkrs and amp/preamp should come in at approx. $1400.@ 2nd hand prices to allow for Dig.source and cables.
Hmm not sure about the Vandersteens that is a thought.
What about NHT ST4's as my friend is more of a classic Rock Fan? I see these @ $500. Any one with any experience here? What amps/integrated would pair well? Any other thoughts?
Thanks again...
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,769 posts
 
I prefer to buy new, as opposed to used. The speakers are the star here.

Spend 40% speakers, 40% amp & dedicated cd player, 20% for a blu ray player and cables. When your buddy can free up another $150, he can purchase a standalone Logica internet radio.

Speakers:

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1s - $850

Integrated Amp & CD Player

Cambridge Audio 550 Amp & CD player - $800

Blu Ray Player

Sony 580 - $120

Cables

Spend $150 or so with Better Cables or Signal Cables or Audioquest. Plenty out there.

Rich
More to discover