2. amps-preamps
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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
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.
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
I've got kids near that age. They absolutely love my Onix SP-3.It's a very well built, cool looking tubed integrated putting out 38 very punchy and fun watts per channel. You don't get a remote so that might be a deal killer but you can buy a new one for $600. If space is a problem, Paradigm Atoms would be nice and if space is not a constraint, you can find used ADS or something of that caliber for cheap. My kids come right out of the computer to their preamps and on to NHT MOO powered monitors. They love what they have but both would prefer to have an Onix and Zu speakers but Daddy's pockets aren't that deep.
Another important consideration is what he'll be listening to, and whether or not you want to hear it. My boys use headphones much of the time and I am always glad when they do.
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