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Help me put a system together for under $1k.

I am trying to come up with a system for around $1k for my son's room. He is of the age where music is really starting to interest him and he loves to discover different types of music. My goals are to put together a system that would sound on the warm side with none of the cheap stereo nasties like sizzling highs and muddy bass. Thin sounding system would be a turn off as well. I would rather sacrifice the bottom and top end response for a better balanced, relaxed and musical system that would play any kind of music and be enjoyable for hours on end of listening. Due to the budget restraint, it would have to be an integrated with bookshelf speakers. CD player and possibly an inexpensive turntable would be nice too as an alternative to using Ipod for playback. I have been eyeballing the Epos ELS3 and Cambridge Azur 640A, am I on the right track so far? Your input would be appreciated!
flyski
matt39
19 posts
 
I think you're on the right track with your original ideas. The 540A integrated would probably be ok too especially as your son will likely be using his system in small rooms for years to come. I'm wondering if he might want a tuner. A lot of young people listen to radio frequently. If so a nice receiver along the lines of the Denon DRA-395 might be a good choice (there is a review in the product reviews you could check). I'd also consider a dvd player for a digital source. Most kids like video and the ability to play concert dvd's might be a welcome feature. A system like a Cambridge/Denon amp/receiver, Epos speakers and say a Pioneer multi-format dvd might be just the ticket and leave some bucks left over to get some starter source material too! Anyway I think your son is a pretty lucky young man and I hope you guys enjoy choosing and playing his new system.
Gary
millikeith
2 posts
 
In a 2004 Absolute Sound editorial entitled, "The industry that shoots itself in the foot," Robert Harley put together a musical system that was near your price range. Hope this helps you out.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/tas/150/editorial.htm
millikeith
henryhk
648 posts
 
This is REALLY good thread, Flyski. I was thinking to do the same thing for my son as well. My initial thinking is that as it has pointed already, the key thing is what he uses as source, iPOD & notebook. So everything must start from there. Has any one audtioned the Gini system designed with iPOD in mind with tubes? I have only seen it magazines so far but seems to be encouraging,and the looks are likely to be attractive to some one has a MAC and IPOD. Price?
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Henryhk, I suggested something similar to what you did, but I don't think Flyski is open to that option. I think he has his mind made up on using traditional gear. Nothing wrong with that, but it completely ignores the state of modern electronics in today's society and most importantly what his son might want. One thing nice about the Gini is that the maker seems to deal in high end gear. Hopefully, the approach would be nicer than say if Logitech was making it.
phd
1,281 posts
 
Definately go with a Sonographe SA-250, Stereophile class B amp. Can be had for around $550 used and sounds spectacular! Match it with relatively inexpensive Conrad Johnson preamp. Can't go wrong matching Conrad Johnson products, as they offer tremendous synergy together.
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