System for Under US$10,000 MSRP

[Lee]

O/Baby might work really well. $5,600 without stands and the stands are $1,000 but you could do something for far less than that on the stands.

90db sensitivity so amp choices might improve. I do think a $2K or higher table makes sense for Ron's friend.

DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/Baby Speakers Review – The Audio Beatnik

theaudiobeatnik.com

 

[Ron Resnick]

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.

I agree! I wish my friend could get demo O/96s for a great price!

 

[bonzo75]

I agree! I wish my friend could get demo O/96s for a great price!

the problem then is matching electronics being crucial and it gets into a whole world of audiophilia. At 10k best is to get a matched set up. No pick one component from here, one from there etc unless someone is selling the whole shebang

 

[AudioHR]

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.

I heard them in 2022. It was a very lifelike presentation although I don't remember it being predominantly Jazz. I do remember "Walk on the Wild Side"

 

[Ron Resnick]

the problem then is matching electronics being crucial and it gets into a whole world of audiophilia. At 10k best is to get a matched set up. No pick one component from here, one from there etc unless someone is selling the whole shebang

You are projecting your fussiness. You know O/96 well. O/93 is cheaper but a bit lower in sensitivity.

Would a Luxman integrated be nice with O/93? (Nice, meaning it doesn't have to be Kedar perfect.)

 

[Lee]

You are projecting your fussiness. You know O/96 well. O/93 is cheaper but a bit lower in sensitivity.

Would a Luxman integrated be nice with O/93? (Nice, meaning it doesn't have to be Kedar perfect.)

My guess is it would. Not sure on how much exact power is needed.

 

[bonzo75]

You are projecting your fussiness. You know O/96 well. O/93 is cheaper but a bit lower in sensitivity.

Would a Luxman integrated be nice with O/93? (Nice, meaning it doesn't have to be Kedar perfect.)

I tried many amps on O96 (Jadis 100w, Riviera hybrid 50w, Silvercore 833c, Airtight EL34, Mastersound 845, Kondo Overture). The only ones I liked it with were NAF 2a3 and Airtight 30b, the Mastersound 845 was decent. And it sounded good with good records. If someone wanted digital or poor records the set up would differ.

I am not projecting my fussiness. Many systems are set up poorly because people get a good deal on one component and buy it, and don't know what to do with the rest of the chain. Most speakers or carts can then sound awful. It is fine if you are an audiophile, trying to get that chain right and build up over time is part of the fun. For someone not into that part of the hobby, a whole matched set up is required to plug in and play.

 

[Lee]

This merits a close look for Ron's friend imho. $3,700 roughly.

RA280

RA280

eng.hifirose.com

MM phono included.

 

[Gregadd]

The Standard

Our most popular record player console. The Standard shares quite a bit in common with the M1, but within a smaller footprint. Featuring six music listening modes and record storage for up to 135 albums. The Standard is now available in new finish options.

wrensilva.com

 

[Rexp]

This merits a close look for Ron's friend imho. $3,700 roughly.

RA280

RA280

eng.hifirose.com

MM phono included.

It might be but personally I've never heard a sub $10K solid state integrated amp that could match a valve pre/solid state pwr combo. Last one I tried was a McIntosh MA8950, good but no cigar.

 

[Holmz]

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

^to what point?^

he/she said that they wanted a setup for vinyl, and 1/2 the posts brought in the New Testament news of digital.
if they asked for $10k and vinyl, then that is the system that they want.
(why start out with, “you are wrong and you do not want that.”

If I was disciplined I suppose that I could do a spreadsheet.

Back to the person in Manhattan … if they already have speakers, then it is solely a TT and some electronics to get the signals to the speakers.
half, or more, of the newer integrated amps… like the Lyngdorf I mentioned… also have streaming built in. They need the MM section, and the rest comes along… including RoomPerfect EQ.
But there are others, and a spreadsheet could have columns for EQ, Roon, etc…

that should given some insight into then what the person should listen to, or look at.
and they sneak that New Testament digital crap for free.

lastly there are companies that clean records. For the budget mentioned, I would be considering just sending out the existing LPs.

 

[Sampajanna]

The question I always ask buddies on a budget is if they want the ability to upgrade later. If they don’t care, then active speakers can be a great option. I heard the new Vienna Acoustics ones and they sound stellar. Not sure, but i believe that even have an analogue input as well for TT. Everything else is built in. I think they are right around 10k too

 

[tima]

Maybe he would be open to a VPI 16.5

Not a good choice.
If it is a horizontal RCM you're after, much better off with a Loricraft point nozzle than VPI wand.

 

[Lee]

It might be but personally I've never heard a sub $10K solid state integrated amp that could match a valve pre/solid state pwr combo. Last one I tried was a McIntosh MA8950, good but no cigar.

How do you get a separates pairing of quality under $5K or so to match the $10K budget with room for speakers and table though?

 

[Lee]

Not a good choice.
If it is a horizontal RCM you're after, much better off with a Loricraft point nozzle than VPI wand.

Better yet to get an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Rexp]

How do you get a separates pairing of quality under $5K or so to match the $10K budget with room for speakers and table though?

Yeah it's tough, that's why I suggested the EAR Phonobox ($1800) inc volume control. Compromise is, it only has one input, for the turntable, but it will deliver high end sound so if sound quality is the priority then I'd go with that and pair it with any half decent solid state power amp in the $3-4K range.

 

[gleeds]

Ron, growing up in the NYC high-end scene and still connected I really like In Living Stereo in the Village for this assignment. Steve Mishoe has been there forever, knows his analog as well as anyone and has a great selection of modest price gear.

The Heed Elixir integrated is unbeatable at $1295. Add a Rega, Project or a Music hall and a nice entry level phono pre-amp and speakers all professionally set up by ILS and your friend will be grooving. Bottom line - ILS can hit this budget with ease and provide your friend great advice, delivery and set up, as well as after sale service. Highly recommended!

In Living Stereo – NYC

inlivingstereo.com

Elixir group

Heed Audio design and manufacture truly engaging hand crafted high-end audio equipments.

heedaudio.com

PS Love Rhapsody but Bob V. plays at the deep end of the luxury pool. I'm pretty sure a $10k system is not their sweet spot.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Ron, growing up in the NYC high-end scene and still connected I really like In Living Stereo in the Village for this assignment. Steve Mishoe has been there forever, knows his analog as well as anyone and has a great selection of modest price gear.

The Heed Elixir integrated is unbeatable at $1295. Add a Rega, Project or a Music hall and a nice entry level phono pre-amp and speakers all professionally set up by ILS and your friend will be grooving. Bottom line - ILS can hit this budget with ease and provide your friend great advice, delivery and set up, as well as after sale service. Highly recommended!

In Living Stereo – NYC

inlivingstereo.com

Elixir group

Heed Audio design and manufacture truly engaging hand crafted high-end audio equipments.

heedaudio.com

Great idea! I will tell my friend!

 

[Ron Resnick]

Better yet to get an ultrasonic cleaner.

How could an ultrasonic cleaner possibly fit in the specified budget?

 

[Ron Resnick]

If it is a horizontal RCM you're after, much better off with a Loricraft

How can that possibly fit in the specified budget? Can I tell him you'll buy it for him?