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A 'First' System for my Son

I am considering the purchase of a 'first' audio system for my 18 year-old. Not sure if this will be a long-term interest for him, but I think there is some basic curiosity there.

Anyone have recommendations on a good starter system? I would definitely consider one of the 'all in ones', something like the Cambridge Audio One +. Not sure just how much true music fidelity this thing can offer, but it does have a headphone jack and an iPod dock. Or, maybe an all-in-one just won't cut it; I would consider spending a little more on separates. There are probably some good deals here on Audiogon. I'm not even sure if a CD player is really a necessity here. An iPod dock, a headphone jack, USB, or lossless MP3 ability is important. Suggestions?
stickman451
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,254 posts
 
Give him advice, but let him pay for his own system. In the long run he'll appreciate it more.
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
I fixed my boys up with NHT M-OO monitors w/ S-OO sub and old NAD preamps attached to their computers. Speakers and monitors are internally powered. Both systems sound quite good but I seldom hear either one because the boys use their Grado headphones instead.

Save yourself headaches and expense by starting him with a decent pair of headphones and a preamp with headphone jack. He'll dig the privacy and you will remain safe from his music choices. All kids are used to digital music banks and will choose them as preferred sources. Hard copies of music will never be obsolete because of eccentric collectors and hard core hobbyists but they aren't in the plans of most of our children.
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
"Figure out how much you're willing spend and schedule a time to take him shopping to listen to different equipment with a not to exceed budget. Get him what he wants."

That's great advise. Nice post Mceljo. To me, choosing a stereo for your son, when there is only a "basic curiosity" there, would be a lot like fixing him up with a girlfriend. Does he like to listen to your rig with you? The more you can share about your sons interests in music, the more successful we will be in advising you. One thought: If, in general, he has a technical fascination for things and what makes them work, a simple tube amp kit might be cool.
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
Some thing with a turnatable involved , meaning not everything that is new is better
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
I have 2 teenage sons. I set each up with a small tube amp and a pair of goodwill speakers - Old Pioneers and old Radio Shack. No CDP, no TT needed. They do not need more than 10 watts in a small bedroom.
They listen to them all the time, almost as much as I listen to my system. They're friends think the systems are pretty cool and think they sound great.
Absolutely no need to go overboard because their point of reference is iPod headphones, car stereos, and crappy stereos.
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