Recommendations for a"Newbie" System...

[WEEZ]

Guys,

My oldest son will be heading off to work on his PHD this coming fall, and his Onkyo receiver and Pioneer dvd player are both dying. Since he is a music student/teacher..he will need 'tunes' . He currently has (4) Advent mini's; an Advent center; and an Advent sub.

I suggested he sell the speakers; dump the mid/low-fi electronics, and start over with a reasonable quality 2-channel only set-up. He has a new computer with a decent soundcard that he could use as his primary source; but also, on occasion, would use a tape deck, FM, ..and I told him he should have an additional input in case he wants to try vinyl in the future . So, (3) inputs plus a tape loop (minimum)would be required.

So, I'm thinking maybe a stock Squeezbox would cover his digital/dac/radio  requirements; and maybe a Rega Brio 3 integrated amp @ 49wpc would give him the inputs he needs along with decent sound quality (plus it has a phono amp built in!).  Then add ACI Emerald XL speakers..good enough to blend with a sub later for a larger room; and some Canare cables and he should be under his $2000 budget and still be 'expandable'.

Suggestions?

thanks,

WEEZ

[Carlman]

Does it have to be SS?  The Manley Stingray is a good long-term solution in my opinion...  no phono input but he could pickup a good phonostage later.

The Eastern Electric 24wpc integrated is also nice...

I've never heard ACI's speakers but I've read they are nice.  Are they fairly efficient?

A pair of Usher X-718's (not others) would be a good all-around speaker also... but they're not efficient at 86db... but might be a good choice with the Rega.... I don't know.. not nuts about the Rega sound of amp's personally... Last one I heard reminded me of a NAD... kind of dull, maybe a little colder IIRC.

What about a Jolida tube integrated?  I'm thinking tubes tonight.

-C

[bpape]

The ACI's are nice but IMO, you'd want a gutsier amp - SS IMO.  Maybe this?  http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/dussun_ds99.htm

We ran the larger Dussun in the ACI room with the Sapphire XL's last year at RMAF and it was a great match.  AAA-Audio carries Dussun.

Bryan

[lonewolfny42]

That Dussun DS99 is a good integrated...really surprised me at a Rave at Phil's. Ping, who owns AAA Audio, brought it and the V8i. Played both....and most prefered the DS99. And....at its price, it really is a bargain.

[bpape]

Well, DNS isn't resolving dussun.com.  Found this info on it

http://www.china-highend-hifi.com/prod01123413.htm

Bryan

[miklorsmith]

How about the Outlaw receiver:

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/306outlaw/

This bugger's got EVERYTHING, phono, AM/FM, can operate as only a pre or only power, lots of inputs, bass management at 55 hz, 65, or 80 hz.  It's got a USB input for computer feed.  And, it sounded good with really spendy stuff around it.

I'd pick up a pair of slim, used towers or monitors and be smokin!

[Mr_bill2]

How about the Outlaw receiver:

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/306outlaw/

I agree, but add in a pair of Magnepan MMGs, a Rega P1 along with the OPPO DV-970HD(for cd/sacd/dvd) and bingo-bango...a KILLER system for little to no money!!

[WEEZ]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Yeah, he'd like to do tubes...but budget, budget, budget.  Maybe a used Jolida. Any more ideas, feel free to post 'em. I'll pass all the info along to him in due time.

The Emerald XL's aren't very sensitive...but the impedence is friendly, so in a smaller room he'd be okay with tubes, I think.

Nice tips on the Dussun and the Outlaw. Would have never thought of them...

Thanks again,

WEEZ

[Inscrutable]

WEEZ,
If he'd really like to do tubes there are some lower cost alternatives out there - especially used.  Although affordable ones tend to go pretty quickly.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1179107343
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1179537980
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1179279102
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1179026747
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1178911771

Although solid state, this Plinius is a steal and it'd be a long time before he felt the need to upgrade.  I still have one, and each of the preamp, power amp, and phono sections alone are probably worth this price.
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1179416584

[shep]

I second this! I had a friend who was a total nutcase; went thru one amp after another, never satisfied. He got Plinius mono amps and never changed again. I've heard great things about this integrated. I do think he's asking a bit much for it though. Make him an offer? It's not got the glamor of tubes but will last a lifetime.

[bpape]

Whichever way you and he decide, I'd stay with SS.  As much as I like tubes and he wants them, at this point, it's a limited budget, gotta work, no money, etc. kind of situation.  Tubes can come later (or maybe throw a tube buffered DAC in the system to warm it up a bit).

Bryan

[WEEZ]

Bryan,

Yeah, I agree....

WEEZ

[WEEZ]

Well, I passed all the suggestions along; thanks again, guys.

We'll have to see what he decides to do. (He's never been quick to make up his mind )

WEEZ

[opnly bafld]

WEEZ,
Just thought I would let you know I have been using Emeralds(88dB) with an Almarro A318A 18w/ch SET amp.
Very nice sound.
I have it in my med/lg living room and have no problems with 90dB+ avgs.


Lin

[biglou]

consider a used pair of the Rega R1s. i love my pair and enjoy them more than my JMR Arpeggiones.