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One Less Bose Wave Radio in the World

I was pleased when a reasonably rich friend of mine who studied physics, likes good things and is generally well educated on most matters told me that he wanted my help buying a "stereo".

The conversation got a little less interesting when he told me he wanted to "spend no more than $2K" given that $2k is certainly less than his monthly, if not weekly, dinner allowance. But things took a real turn for the worse when he told me that a) he wants it to dock with his iPod and b) preferably have the whole thing in one piece?!

So if I can get him to be flexible on the one piece requirement, could we build an iPod based, Bose Wave radio killing system along the following lines:

* Wadia iPod docking station?
* Cheap as dirt external DAC?
* Cables by Signal Cable?
* Berhinger A500 amplifier(s)(has volume controls)
* Epos or other competent mini monitor?

Hard to believe even that would add up to about $1500 bucks or so and his wife might not approve of more than one box....but wondering how a normal person might react to such a system, when used with their iPod.

What would you suggest in this case?
cwlondon
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
UnitiQute is what I was referencing. Priced at 1,700.
jdoris
972 posts
 
Has2be's suggestion has some merit, I think. While the size of New York kitchens (and social obligations) may mean that a pretty high monthly restaurant outlay can be hard to avoid (for some lifestyles), it might be worth pointing out that upping the outlay a bit could really extend the possibilities, give years of pleasure, and might not require that much sacrifice for your "reasonably rich" friend .

For instance, moving from 2k to 4-5k could make a really substantial difference: speakers for 2-3k instead of the whole thing for 2k. I do realize this is hard to explain to non-audiophiles, but the cost of one dinner at a destination retaurant (Le Bernardin, say) could generate audible audio improvements to be enjoyed long after the $24 glass of wine is forgotten.

JUst my 2c, of course. John
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Wadia 170 ($379 new) and NAD L54 Receiver ($699 list, sale price $499 or $369 refurbished). The NAD is a 2 channel receiver (50 watts per channel) with FM/AM tuner, has S/PDIF input and contains a DVD/CD player. This gives the option for DVD or TV input video, if desired. It is a two box system but is very flexible. The NAD has a learning remote and you could probably learn the Wadia commands with it. You know about the Wadia. NAD also has a iPod dock that does digital out for about half the price of the Wadia. It also has a smaller footprint. Add your speakers of choice - there are lots of options. Sonus Faber Toy monitors for $600 here on Audiogon would be nice, although I have not heard them with the NAD.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
For speakers, used Totem Arros are also an option if you want some small floorstanders. They are small but sound great.
fpeel
455 posts
 
CW, has your friend and his wife had a chance to listen closely to your system? Doing so would give them (and you) a metric against which to measure their real wants.

As someone already mentioned, not everyone is an audiophile and even we exist at varying levels of involvement and investment. Determining where your friends interests reside in the continuum might be a good place to start.
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