Need New 2 Channel System for under 25K


Hi,

Trying to help a friend set up a new 2 channel system for his office where he spends 12hour days.
Hi budget is $25K MAX on the entire system.  The office is 8'x12' with 8ft ceiling. It has a large desk and several book shelves and large window. 

He wants to stream from the Internet or from his NAS drive and play CDs.

He wants to spend the money in phases and he is not in a rush.  He also wants the system to be bookshelf based (make sense for a smaller size room like this), but wants to start by purchasing electronics first (this is because he has a pair of lower-midlevel Focal bookshelves and a pair of lower-midlevel Sonus Faber bookshelf's so he wants to play around with those speakers first and then upgrade to the strategic bookshelves when he gets some more funds.
 Ability to plug in headphones into the electronics is definitely a plus and headphones themselves are not part of the 25k budget as he has Sennheiser HD600 and his happy with them for now. 

According to him, physicals size of components is not that important to him, but I know that it will become important later in a small office like his.  He is also into esthetics of his systems.

So I we were thinking of going with 'used' components to get more value but with relatively newer models
For example, if it is possible to find in USED but good condition: 
 1. -Simaudio 680D V2, and 600I V2 together for $12.5K, that would be good  (no CD playback here however and no headphone amp, but thats ok)
 2. -Bit later get a pair of Focal Diablos for about $7.5K if possible 
 3. -That leaves about $5K for cables, power conditioning, cords, Interconnects, etc.

The electronics can stand on his desk (if they fit), or can be put on a rack (which would also need to be purchased)

The Simaudio components are good size and very good quality and I think the system would synergize together very well.

Can any one suggest something comparable or better for the money based on the requirements.  Also If we can get a comparable system in a different brand for less money, that would be great.  (i.e. Perhaps  Lumin Streamer/DAC with a Pass labs INT 250 and pair of Paradigm Persona Bookshelves :)

Please let me know if there are any other details I can provide.
Thank you in advance!

Ag insider logo xs@2xjmarshak

Showing 12 responses by jmarshak

@djones, the active speakers just need a front end + Dac to compliment them?  Can I assume the Kii 3 already have an analogue preamp as well?  I was thinking about trying to use active speakers form Focal before.  My concern was that they would be two  'brutally honest' since Focal's active speakers are usually used for professional uses (I think). 
@arion Mike thanks you for elaborate proposal.  I understand your motivation for having me look at these products and would need more people  (none dealers) to opine on the same. 

@dejones - thanks for the further details on the monitors. Interesting.
@tomic601 Thanks.  Really good points.  No fatigue is really important.  That's why I started with Simaudio stuff.  From my experience, very light on the pressure to head. And you are right, it is a fun budget, one can own more than one car for that money (used of course :)). The brands you recited are inline with some that I am considering.  Tubes would be a nice touch for him.  He mentioned that hewould want to have tubes somewhere in the system.
Interesting, and I was suggesting to him to minimize number of components, to 2 max 3 if absolutely necessary, just because its a small space.  Streamer/DAC and Preamp/Amp.  Unless ofcouse he goes with Active speakers, in which case it might be just one component on the desk.
Well, its been a fun ride but we finally completed the system earlier this month. Paradigm Persona 3F, Simaudio Moon 340ix, Auralic Aries G2. Very happy with the performance in that office.
@lancelock  thank you.  I think those speakers are larger than can be fit optimally in that room.
Thanks for clarifying @djones. So they even have their own DAC, nice! So both these speaker will work direct with (for example) Aurender N10 or Lumin U1 and handle output fidelity from these server/steamers well? I have not tried roon yet. Just Jriver, Plex and Aurender App.
Makes sense @oldhvymec thanks for emphasizing that room impact is 101. In my original point, I mentioned what’s in the room to underscore what would need to be overcome. I have a little experience in treating rooms fairly inexpensively, so I did not want to make that an issue. But it should be noted that we have that covered (hopefully well). Also, definitely like the recommendations with DSP capable components to help with further corrections.

Like some people have noted, my friend has a fairly nice budget for a small system and this budget can go  a long, long way, but only if that 8'x12' (fairly cluttered) room is 'acoustically hospitable'.
Hi, As an update,

My friend is shying away from active monitors. Wants to have more options with using different components with time.  I get that.

So right now, we are narrowing down the Integrated Amp to be one of the Pass Labs models.  I personally never head their integrated (just had their separates), but I assume they are fabulous like all their stuff.   If we still can find a good Simaudio Integrated, would consider

We also want to narrow down what DAC/Streamer to get to match. 

Auralic Vega Gx? /PS Audio Direct Stream Sr / Lumin / Simaudio??

Right now, bookshelves are still slated to be Focal Micro Utopia Bes or Diablos

@coffeeman - You are 100% right about that volume knob,
its got to be close! :)

Regarding the sub, we will need to see. Good point that the system should have the option to add that sub in lower hz are required for correction. Its a ’small’ room and fatigue will become a big factor, so trying to keep away from subs if possible but the ’Option’ to have a sub at some point makes sense. Thank you.

@nealkot,
I asked him your questions and answers are below: 

  1.What kind of music does he listen to in the office? - Jazz, Classical

  2.What kind of sound is he looking for?  - Soft, crispy, clear

  3.Does he listen at  low, med or high volume? - Low and Med

  4. Would he consider a sub - Yes

Basically,  He can use his larger systems for big sound stage, etc.
Personally, I like your percent break up costs by equipment type. I would have used more for the Amps/Preamps and less for the front ends, but I think you are right for modern systems, especially for a smaller office ones. Again, not sure he will warm up to active speakers but I always wanted to try ATCs :). We will see if we can find some options to consider.  Thank you for your recommendations.