Budget system recommendations for recession weary wallet?

default -- Thu, 07/16/2009 - 11:16

Hello All,
I am looking to build a quality audio system for $2500 or less.
Completely open to whatever produces the best sound from CD. No radio, limited LP use, no TV/surround. I need advice soup-to-nuts. Components, cables, power conditioning, etc.
Will go in a library about 16' square. Size of speakers is not an issue.
Have been out of Hi-Fi for many years (kids), but have had high end systems in the past so I value accurate sound.
I appreciate any thoughts and guidance the thread can provide.

MT

boconnell@yahoo.com -- Thu, 07/16/2009 - 12:08

Absolute Sound had an issue where the reviewers offered their own choices. What struck me was the number of recommendations for the Naim 5i integrated and teh REga Apollo CD player. Speaker options were Dali Ikon 6 and Epos M16s. B&W monitors were another option (685, I think). If you search on Audiogon, you can find the Naim and Apollo for good prices. As for speakers, you can also find the Ikon 6 from time to time. Factor under $1k for the Naim, under $600 for the Apollo, and under $1k for the Ikon6. Start with some budget cables like Blue Jean Cables or Zebra Cables and move up from there. Power conditioning might be best served by Brickwall or Zero Surge or PS Audio (you are only talking about two components, after all).
Good luck - you are in an interesting price bracket - it's easy to blow a lot of money at a restaurant in NYC, it's far more interesting to find a hidden gem for relatively little cost.
-B

Steven Stone -- Thu, 07/16/2009 - 12:21

Since you're posting here I assume you have a computer.

You could put together a wireless Sonos system using their Z120 integrated amp/receiver...base cost could be as low as $499 for the ZP120 and $99 for a zone bridge and then you can use an i-phone or i-pod touch for your remote. If you don't have one of these you can always use the Sonos remote, but it is expensive at $399. At that point you may want to look at the Sonos bundle 150 for $999.

The ZP120 has provisions for one set of analog inputs so you could also have a CD player or outboard LP preamp hooked up to it as a second source (it will also play any and all music libraries on any computers you have connected via Ethernet or wireless WIFI.)

Here's a link to Sonos:
http://www.sonos.com/Default.aspx?gclid=CO6vrr7b2psCFRBbagodtVKr-w&rdr=t...

Next you would need speakers and speaker cable. SInce you'd still have around $1500 of your budget left you've got lots of options.

I'll let someone else do a short list of possible speakers - bear in mind you've got 55 watts RMS to work with from the Sonos...

Oh, heck - from recent listening I'd look at the Epos ELS8 speakers - for slightly under $500 a pair they are seriously good - musical, revealing, compact, and decent looking.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

Robert Harley -- Sat, 07/18/2009 - 11:47

Here's another option: Rotel's new 15-series integrated amp and CD player coupled with the B&W 685 loudspeakers. For cables, check out Transparent's entry-level offerings.
Do you live in a city that has high-end audio dealers? If so, you should start by visiting them and listening to systems.