My good friend in his 70s wants me to buy for him and his wife a “decent stereo” (integrated amp/receiver with phono stage; TT, CDP, and speakers) for $1500-2500. They don’t have any interest in streaming.
It could be vintage/used, as long as it’s dependable, reliable. It’s possible I could get him to spend more (he can definitely afford to), but I want to try to stick within his proposed budget.
They’ve many times heard and like my system: McIntosh tubes/Klipschorns/TT/CDP. But they want a “good, small, modest” system.
They only listen to CDs and 33.3 LPs—mostly as background music. The TT should come with a cartridge, be plug-and-play, and easy to use. The speakers should be detached bookshelf size or small floor-standers.
He already purchased some kind of $200-300 compact unit with a built-in TT and attached speakers that he realizes sounds like utter crap. They hate it and no longer turn it on.
They listen to jazz and classical, if that matters. Their listening area is an old farmhouse living room (20’ x 30’). It has wood floors, a tall central peaked cathedral ceiling, and opens into a low, 40’-long perpendicular dining room and kitchen on one side (the end where the stereo will be) and a full-length low, shallow book alcove along the other side. (The space is peculiar and not ideal.) But we aren’t concerned here with a sweet spot.
They don’t generally ever listen loudly. Still, I want to get them very efficient speakers because he has complained that his current system can’t be turned up at all.
If anyone has any suggestions (ease of use is paramount), please let me know. He’d probably prefer an all-in-one compact unit, if there’s something good out there(?), but if I bring him components and set them up for him, that will be fine. He’s deferring completely to my judgment.
The amp and CDP will have to stack (the TT could sit separately), but it will all be placed on two Modernist Alvar Aalto bent plywood side tables, which are beautiful but not the most seriously solid and best furniture for a TT. If footfalls prove this unworkable, I’m sure I can convince them to get more solid furniture for the TT.
Thank you, all, in advance!
It could be vintage/used, as long as it’s dependable, reliable. It’s possible I could get him to spend more (he can definitely afford to), but I want to try to stick within his proposed budget.
They’ve many times heard and like my system: McIntosh tubes/Klipschorns/TT/CDP. But they want a “good, small, modest” system.
They only listen to CDs and 33.3 LPs—mostly as background music. The TT should come with a cartridge, be plug-and-play, and easy to use. The speakers should be detached bookshelf size or small floor-standers.
He already purchased some kind of $200-300 compact unit with a built-in TT and attached speakers that he realizes sounds like utter crap. They hate it and no longer turn it on.
They listen to jazz and classical, if that matters. Their listening area is an old farmhouse living room (20’ x 30’). It has wood floors, a tall central peaked cathedral ceiling, and opens into a low, 40’-long perpendicular dining room and kitchen on one side (the end where the stereo will be) and a full-length low, shallow book alcove along the other side. (The space is peculiar and not ideal.) But we aren’t concerned here with a sweet spot.
They don’t generally ever listen loudly. Still, I want to get them very efficient speakers because he has complained that his current system can’t be turned up at all.
If anyone has any suggestions (ease of use is paramount), please let me know. He’d probably prefer an all-in-one compact unit, if there’s something good out there(?), but if I bring him components and set them up for him, that will be fine. He’s deferring completely to my judgment.
The amp and CDP will have to stack (the TT could sit separately), but it will all be placed on two Modernist Alvar Aalto bent plywood side tables, which are beautiful but not the most seriously solid and best furniture for a TT. If footfalls prove this unworkable, I’m sure I can convince them to get more solid furniture for the TT.
Thank you, all, in advance!
