System for Under US$10,000 MSRP

Kingrex · Jan 29, 2024

I believe I have heard many times over that professional musicians don't care so much about the sound the stereo produces. They are more interested in the performance. I bet they would be happy with a ok streamer and a large source of music such as Spotify or Apple.

Kingrex · Jan 29, 2024

Pretty much everything in hear is value priced.

Kingrex · Jan 29, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
Do you have any substantive answer to contribute to the specific question of this narrow thread, or do you just want to be cranky and irrelevant?

I don't think its cranky and irrelevant. I have had friends ask me the same thing. In the end they get nothing. Probably because they really don't want to spend $$$$$.

I feel I sense the same in forums too. People wanting their friends to get something. Join the hobby. In reality, I think most would be happy with a powered monitor like these Vanatoo. Way easier to get them to step into the water with $600 invested.

Transparent Zero

NOTE: The Transparent Zero has been replaced by the new Transparent Zero Plus Vanatoo's Transparent Zero active speakers are made using the same high quality materials and workmanship that Vanatoo's products have come to be known for throughout the industry. The speakers reproduce music exactly...

vanatoo.com

bonzo75 · Jan 29, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
Natural, absolute and convincing as possible -- for under US$10,000 -- yes.

If the answer were easy I would not need to globally crowdsource an answer from this esteemed forum.

Yes but if this forum knew that answer it would not have been WBF - this is the forum where you need to have a 100k turntable to get a reply on an analog thread.

chuck · Jan 29, 2024

Piano sound is very difficult for under $10K. The closest I can think of would be Paradigm Founder 80F speakers ($4K, although periodically go on sale), Anthem STR Integrated Amp ($5K), Music Hall Classic Turntable ($650) and Wireworld Oasis speaker cables ($400).

Kingrex · Jan 29, 2024

chuck said:
Piano sound is very difficult for under $10K.

Many people with $600k invested are still not satisfied. Percussion instruments like piano and drums are difficult to recreate. Guitars, reed instruments and vocals are the best we get.

Kingrex · Jan 29, 2024

FWIW my parents had to give up the farm (literally) and are moving close to my brother and I. I convinced my mom to ditch her receiver, RTR, CD, casserole and speakers. I am getting her those Vanatoo and connecting her laptop. This is a person that goes to maybe 10 live shows a year and has had a stereo all her life. Its not about the equipment. All that crap was a hinderance for her. She is going to be in heaven when she experiences what streaming has to offer. Especially the ease all around. Integration and fit in the room.

bonzo75 · Jan 29, 2024

PeterA said:
it’s possible with the vintage used gear I suggested.

Yes but if this forum could agree on convincing sound at 10k it (the forum) wouldn’t exist! Why would members then pay 100k plus to try for convincing sound and upgrade from there because they didn’t get it

morricab · Jan 29, 2024

Odeon Orfeo monitors (3200)
Border Patrol DAC SE (2250)
Blue Sound Node 3 (560)
Mutec MC3+ USB (800)
Willsenton R8 (1499 off Amazon)
Cables, InAkustik (420 for 2 power cables (AC-1502), speaker cables 3m 750 (LS-204, micro air), interconnects 339 (NF-204, micro air), digital SpDIF 75 and optical 75 )...total 1659,

Total 9968

Probably could go with cheaper speakers and a slightly more expensive amp. I have direct experience with this amp and while a bit on the warm side, it still sounds very nice...way beyond it's cost.

Could also replace the Border Patrol DAC with a Sparkler DAC to save money on the DAC. I would recommend the Monarchy Audio NM24 DAC but I think Monarchy is now out of business...otherwise you could build a whole Monarchy front end with the Odeon speakers.

If you don't need USB...which with the BlueSound you wouldn't, then the Mutec is a bit cheaper and the Border Patrol drops to 1750.

Alternative amps: Ayon Spirit SE-II. (4200)...brings the price to about 13K but will likely sound better.
Audio Note Cobra, 3950. Same, brings price to around 13K
Line Magnetic LM-34ia 1825...still fits the price with a few hundred.

Alternative speakers
Buchhardt S400MKII or signature (if available) (2100 or 2900). Will work ok with Wilsenton, Audio Note and Line Magnetic
Sonus Faber Sonneto II (2200). Same, will work with PP tube amps but probably not SE unless in a very small room.

Several Klipsch models (floorstanding and bookshelf) that fall under $4K.

Hot tip: Heco Direkt (fullrange driver) or Direct Zweiklang (2-way). Surprised to see them apparently discontinued but for very little money sound great.

Almost forgot these:
BAHIA - Pair of TQWT loudspeakers 2x35W / 93dB – Supravox

Very nice sounding single driver speaker with quite good bass from a TQWT enclosure. I heard this in Munich a few years ago with line magnetic 845 amp and it was quite a good speaker...Cube audio before Cube audio and a lot cheaper.

I use the Alizee with a horn loaded tweeter in my DIY project, so I know the TQWT (it is the same design) works very well in the bass.
ALIZEE - Pair of TQWT loudspeakers 2x20W / 99dB – Supravox

Ron Resnick · Jan 29, 2024

chuck said:
Piano sound is very difficult for under $10K. The closest I can think of would be Paradigm Founder 80F speakers ($4K, although periodically go on sale), Anthem STR Integrated Amp ($5K), Music Hall Classic Turntable ($650) and Wireworld Oasis speaker cables ($400).

Thank you, Chuck!

rando · Jan 29, 2024

OT:

Steinway & Sons Spirio is well outside this budget. Yamaha Disklavier may fall inside it.

On the off chance we are looking at a similarly disposed set of musical tastes as you Ron.

Solypsa · Jan 29, 2024

For this vinyl only system it would also be nice to know a bit about the room / space available. Location was mentioned ( NYC ) perhaps on purpose to indicate small quarters, but not specified. also if distance is not great a passive volume control might be OK. Or maybe not. More detail please...

Anyway, I see it this way possibly:
1) $2500 turntable with mm cart
2) $2500 phono stage
3) $500 passive volume control
4) $ ( balance or less ) on active speakers or int amp/speakers and delete passive vc above.
5) $0 cables. Have him ask for freebies or hand me downs

This will end up at $6k to $12.5k with #4 being the big variable.

morricab · Jan 29, 2024

Solypsa said:
For this vinyl only system it would also be nice to know a bit about the room / space available. Location was mentioned ( NYC ) perhaps on purpose to indicate small quarters, but not specified. also if distance is not great a passive volume control might be OK. Or maybe not. More detail please...

Anyway, I see it this way possibly:
1) $2500 turntable with mm cart
2) $2500 phono stage
3) $500 passive volume control
4) $ ( balance or less ) on active speakers or int amp/speakers and delete passive vc above.
5) $0 cables. Have him ask for freebies or hand me downs

This will end up at $6k to $12.5k with #4 being the big variable.

You can get something very nice like a Phasemation EA-220 phonostage for half the price you have budgeted here. I have one and while not at the level of my Silvaweld, it has surpassed expectations...really excellent!

Ron Resnick · Jan 29, 2024

Does anybody have any experience with Fyne F501SP floorstanders (US$5,300)?

Solypsa · Jan 29, 2024

Solypsa said:
For this vinyl only system it would also be nice to know a bit about the room / space available. Location was mentioned ( NYC ) perhaps on purpose to indicate small quarters, but not specified. also if distance is not great a passive volume control might be OK. Or maybe not. More detail please...

Anyway, I see it this way possibly:
1) $2500 turntable with mm cart
2) $2500 phono stage
3) $500 passive volume control
4) $ ( balance or less ) on active speakers or int amp/speakers and delete passive vc above.
5) $0 cables. Have him ask for freebies or hand me downs

This will end up at $6k to $12.5k with #4 being the big variable.

A few additional notes:
1) I think a removable head shell is nice for a hands off owner. Can buy LP gear premounted AT7V cart set for example and easily take to a tech if something really goes awry...
2) I sell one. Or Allnic or Phasemation or channel D...
3) Khozmo
4) Most actives will use dsp. Is your friend dsp phobic?

Ron Resnick · Jan 29, 2024

Solypsa said:
4) Most actives will use dsp. Is your friend dsp phobic?

Yes, he is old school audio, like me. No active loudspeakers, no DSP, no digital, no streaming, no DAC.

Just to be sure, I will ask about streaming.

Republicoftexas69 · Jan 29, 2024

Kingrex said:
Many people with $600k invested are still not satisfied. Percussion instruments like piano and drums are difficult to recreate. Guitars, reed instruments and vocals are the best we get.

Piano is a percussion instrument.

morricab · Jan 29, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
Does anybody have any experience with Fyne F501SP floorstanders (US$5,300)?

No , but I figured that was likely out of budget.

DLS · Jan 29, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
Thank you, no digital or streamer is wanted by my friend

In the case, I'd drop the Marantz stuff and replace with Luxman 505uxii intregrated ($5,300) - it has a better phono stage than it has any right to. There are many alternative speakers - what kind of music does your friend listen to?

facten · Jan 29, 2024

Ron, I have not heard this equipment, and other than occasionally having been a customer I have no affiliation with Atelier 13 Audio in Nashville - below is a link to a $10K analogue system they have listed - it doesn't included cables

Featured $10,000 Analog Audio System - Atelier 13 Audio, Nashville

Looking to spend $10,000 on a High End turntable-based Audio in-home system ? We can recommend this one.

www.atelier13-usa.com

System for Under US$10,000 MSRP

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Several Klipsch models (floorstanding and bookshelf) that fall under $4K.​

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Several Klipsch models (floorstanding and bookshelf) that fall under $4K.