System for Under US$10,000 MSRP

[Lee]

Thank you for the suggestion, Lee.

Why do you think these speakers would sound better than the Reflector 3As I think he has presently?

Good question. Coincident drivers and Andrew Jones design. Better parts quality such as latest capacitor designs, etc.

 

[Lee]

I've demoed the Cambridge Evo 150, it's quite poor as an integrated but ok when used as a preamp. Not high-end though...

I was going off a positive TAS review. I have not heard it myself.

Maybe there is a better integrated we could substitute. I do have lots of experience with the table and speakers. The new Luxman stuff is really good. Hegel is very good too but I couldn't find one with a phono stage on a quick Look.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I ask again about the need for a RCM. If he is only going to listen to records, does he have a big collection or is he going to buy new records? We all know records need to be cared for and cleaned.

He has a small collection of records from years ago. He does not presently have a record-cleaning machine.

I will tell him about record-cleaning machines. Maybe he would be open to a VPI 16.5think he probably will just use a brush.

And why don’t you just put him in touch with Rhapsody and have Bob walk him through some options.

That is a good idea, but I don't know if Bob can put a system together for $10,000.

I guess that because I can’t read

I never said you "can't read."

 

[Ron Resnick]

I was going off a positive TAS review. I have not heard it myself.

Maybe there is a better integrated we could substitute. I do have lots of experience with the table and speakers. The new Luxman stuff is good. Hegel is very good too but I couldn't find one with a phono stage on a quick Look.

Hegel makes a standalone phono stage for about $1,500 called V10.

 

[Lee]

Hegel makes a standalone phono stage for about $1,500 called V10.

One new item coming that may be really good, given the history, is the Hifi Rose RA280 integrated.

 

[Argonaut]

Playing Devil’s advocate somewhat Ron , It might be worth while mentioning to your friend that $10K New should equate to at least $20K to $36K of once New equipment and likely of a higher level in build quality and audio fidelity , if sourced carefully from a reputable seller .

 

[Kingrex]

Ron, there were so little information in the opening post about your friend or what he wants that I think it’s fairly reasonable for people to base their recommendations on their own experience and what they like. We had to tease information out of you to help us with recommendations. One of them is that he’s actually a musician who plays piano. Then someone made the comment that he’s looking for a natural sounding system based on live music. I responded with that information in mind. I then asked for information about his current system and we learned more which kept the thread going. You stated he wants a completely new system, but have you asked him if he’s willing to put his budget towards a couple of components and keep for instance his speakers as has been suggested by some here?

I ask again about the need for a RCM. If he is only going to listen to records, does he have a big collection or is he going to buy new records? We all know records need to be cared for and cleaned. And why don’t you just put him in touch with Rhapsody and have Bob walk him through some options.

I guess that because I can’t read and I’m prohibited from thinking outside the box, my responses will continue to be a bit odd.

I agree. The opening post didn't even mention he already has a stereo. It didn't say he is a digital denyer. Hey, I want a sports car. How about an Audi. Well, I already have a Porsche.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Playing Devil’s advocate somewhat Ron , It might be worth while mentioning to your friend that $10K New should equate to at least $20K to $36K of once New and likely higher level in build and fidelity equipment , if sourced carefully from a reputable seller .

I totally agree. I think in this hobby buying used makes all the sense in the world.

But he's not a hobbyist. He would be okay with dealer demos, but not third-party used.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Thanks to everyone on this thread for these ideas and suggestions and roadmaps! I'm going to speak to my friend this week and explain a lot of this to him, and try to get clarity on the direction in which he would like to go on each of the components.

I will also get information on the size of the area in which the system will be located.

 

[marty]

I do not understand why a guy with what seems like zero interest in learning about set up wants a turntable and not streaming. How is he going to clean his records? It sounds like he likes music but not gear.

I sort of agree with this but come at this a bit differently. Does anyone really think that in a budget system, an inexpensive TT can meaningfully outperform digital in this price range? Although most here would say that top analog outperforms good digital, I'm not sure that at the low end of the spectrum, this is the case. Can an inexpensive TT rig perform better or as well as inexpensive digital. Does the rest of the gear even allow for a favorable comparison? Unless somebody already has an extensive LP collection, his choices are to buy used LPs (whose condition will typically be less than pristine), or endless re-issues of new LPs at $40 a pop. If the client is a music lover, digital streaming is the most logical choice for a source IMHO.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I sort of agree with this but come at this a bit differently. Does anyone really think that in a budget system, an inexpensive TT can meaningfully outperform digital in this price range? Although most here would say that top analog outperforms good digital, I'm not sure that at the low end of the spectrum, this is the case. Can an inexpensive TT rig perform better or as well as inexpensive digital. Does the rest of the gear even allow for a favorable comparison? Unless somebody already has an extensive LP collection, his choices are to buy used LPs (whose condition will typically be less than pristine), or endless re-issues of new LPs at $40 a pop. If the client is a music lover, digital streaming is the most logical choice for a source IMHO.

You make a good point here, and so does Peter in his in Post #23, which I did not notice previously.

I will explain to him the state of inexpensive digital versus inexpensive vinyl playback and I will explain the flexibility of streaming.

 

[bonzo75]

I do not understand why a guy with what seems like zero interest in learning about set up

maybe the set up advise is for a custom built treated room and move diffusers and absorbers around more than setting up the table or matching the gear. Tbh, it seems in custom built room any combination of different companies’ phono, preamp, and poweramp can work so as long as it stays in the budget that is fine

 

[Ron Resnick]

I do not understand why a guy with what seems like zero interest in learning about set up

wants a turntable and not streaming.

These are independent variables.

In an analogy I am sure some weekend car racers like to turn a wrench, and some weekend car racers don't like to turn a wrench. But they both like driving on the track.

 

[abeidrov]

Ron, please have a look at Herb Reichert’s system. Some interesting gear like Heretic speakers, PTP turntable and reasonably priced.

 

[AudioHR]

Too bad the Devore O/93 is US$8,800.

Since you mentioned Devore. The Baby perhaps? Not sure of its power requirements. I was impressed with the sound during a brief listen in Munich.

 

[morricab]

Hegel makes a standalone phono stage for about $1,500 called V10.

Phasemation makes one for about the same that is discrete Class A no feedback. I have it with my Brinkmann Bardo and it sounds very good, nice tone, good resolution and dynamics.

 

[chuck]

As a lawyer, maybe your buddy should identify the goal for this upgrade. What is the deficiency in the current system that he wants to remedy? Since he listens to classical, is he trying to achieve orchestra scale in playback? For example, perhaps he wants to hear the new Deutsche Grammophon Original Source Kleiber, Vienna Phil, LVB 7th LP like his room is the Musicverein.

 

[morricab]

You make a good point here, and so does Peter in his in Post #23, which I did not notice previously.

I will explain to him the state of inexpensive digital versus inexpensive vinyl playback and I will explain the flexibility of streaming.

BlueSound node and Border Patrol DAC…

 

[Another Johnson]

The suggestion I made in post #19 above has both line level and digital inputs, including a DAC. The Bluesound Node and the free BluOS app are a great way to get into streaming.

I assumed @Ron Resnick ‘s friend wanted to play the records he already has. Ron said he has a Dual TT. My Dual 1009 has a removable headshell. Michael Fremer has said that Brian Wilson had one too. They were quite nice for their era. Mine plays 16, 33, 45, and 78. Very versatile with modestly priced Shure cartridges.

 

[Lee]

Since you mentioned Devore. The Baby perhaps? Not sure of its power requirements. I was impressed with the sound during a brief listen in Munich.

I really like the Devore speakers. Very often John's standard demo at Munich and other shows is LP playback with jazz. His setups usually have a lifelike presentation that works especially well on jazz music.