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Cult Classics for Young Future Audiophile

My young nephew turns 10 this week and I would like to buy him his first stereo, assembled from used classics that I will clean, restore etc and wrap up in big boxes.

He is taking piano and saxophone lessons, is generally very creative and artistic and has expressed an interest in Charlie Parker. As his Uncle, I am encouraging him to listen to music as much as possible while he is "working" on his artistic interests.

Can anyone help with ideas for assembling a high end, classic system that will be fairly reliable, inexpensive and whet his appetite for music and high end audio?

At first I thought a kid his age might enjoy some of the big classic receivers or amps from the 70's with multiple LEDs , VU meters, tone controls etc. -- remember Yamaha "Natural Sound" -- but he is very smart and technical and would also get the mimimalistic, straight wire with gain, audiophile approach.

Apt Holman amp and preamp? Classic Hafler amp and preamp? A pair of used Maggie SMGs? With one of the less expensive, discontinued but still new in box SACD players?

I would like to keep this well under $1000.00 -- closer to $500 would be ideal.
cwlondon

Showing 1 response by jeffloistarca

jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
I have assembled systems for my three kids with the same goal in mind:

Proton 930 Receiver ($120)
Technics SL-PD887 5-Disc CDP ($80)
Teac V770 Tape Deck ($90)
B&W DM303 speakers ($200)

Parasound R/HD 300 II receiver ($100)
Parasound D/HX-550 tape deck ($69)
B&W DM303 speakers ($200)
Kyocera DA 310cx CD Player ($80)

NAD513 3-disc CD player ($100)
Carver HR752 receiver ($200)
Nakamichi 480 Tape Deck ($100)
B&W DM302 speakers ($200)

or my office system:

Proton 930 Receiver ($150)
Micromega Leader CD player ($200)
NHT SuperOne speakers ($180)
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