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Nice looking - for living room?

I'm looking to add a second system this year, up in the living room. The room is 12 x 20. It will be used at lower levels - party/dinner accompaniment and lower level listening. The constraints: $8K MAX, must be Nice To Look At(as decreed by my boss).
Pieces needed: CD player, amp/pre, small (or thin) speakers. I'm thinking maybe Salk or Tyler speakers, tube amp/pre, CD - I dunno? I think in terms of looks, Sim Supernova with their new integrated (I7?) is pretty cool looking and totally integrated - but of course all SS. And would blow the budget. Pretty damn good solid state, though. I would entertain used, but probably not on the player.
Please, unleash your thoughts!
24phun
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,804 posts
 
It sounds like your wife wants something that is inconspicious, given how it is going to be used. Why not consider an all in one piece like the Arcam Solo which is solid state or the Audio Analogue Enigma which uses tubes. Either piece will run you a max of $1500 new, which frees up a lot of cash for speakers.

As for speakers, I like the Focus Audio FS 68se which have both sound and looks to die for. They run about $2000.

Regards, Rich
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
354 posts
 
As a caveat; my requirements were similar.
Minimal footprint (unobtrusive), no spikes allowed, most excellent sound. (high WAF).
I'll put the music enjoyment factor of my combination up against anything in the price range.
Blue Circle NSCS integrated amp. (www.bluecircle.com)
Shahinian ARC speakers (www.shahinian.com) They've been making speakers for a many a year. Their products are loved in Europe.
The synergy is outstanding. The sound unfatiging.
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I second the Arcam Solo recommendation or the Linn all-in-one box (Classik).
bignerd100
515 posts
 
New Martin Logan Vantage. Powered woofer will allow you to use lower powered (less expensive) tube amps. Really cool to look at. Sounds good.

Integrated tube amp (Jolida?).

Five disc CDP that could be hidden in cabinet.

All should come in well under the 8K budget, look cool and sound good.
ajahu
306 posts
 
One box solution: new naim one box gear (avi?), mated with a small Proac loudspeaker. Nice sound, relatively cheap, small, easy to use.
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