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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 macrojack

macrojack
1,303 posts
 
My 10 year old has a Yamaha digital piano and lessons. Part of my deal with him was a sound system to play the piano through. He has a Reference Line 3000 passive preamp, NHT Pro M-00 and S-00 (satellites and sub) which are self-powered, a Mitsubishi DA-F10 tuner and a Pioneer PDR-609 CD recorder. I realize this runs over budget but the tuner (or something comparable) can be had for under $100 and I remember paying $200 for the passive pre some years ago. I bought the speakers and sub for $500 but they don't seem to be for sale used.The Pioneer CD recorder came from etronics for about $230. This is a rig a kid can love and it has interesting expansion potential. Good luck.
I admire your desire to plant a seed. This could be a gesture that boy never forgets. I can imagine him standing on stage at Carnegie telling this story. Maybe that image will expand the budget a little more.
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