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!

jmarshak

Showing 1 response by oldhvymec

arion59 posts

His post would be the first thing I would address, as much room treatment as you can stand THEN, make your selections. Unless it is the way it is going to be, already.  I personally know every nook and cranny in the rooms, and shop I use.

The treatment can be VERY nice and add  a full 1/4 to1/3 INCREASE in a better listening environment.  What did cost 25K, now cost 10K or less and a better, less fatiguing, room. 

5K for cabling is now 1K total, grid treatment (electrical) 300.00 usd as opposed to 2K because of boiling highs, 25K is a LOT of money.

Room treatment, which includes bass management, is 70% (or more) of ALL the distortion you're going to introduce, control, or KILL, in that room. The other 30%, mids and highs are easy to treat, with  easy to look at solutions.
DSP, servo bass (less boom) and treatment.. 1,2,3..

Second, treatment "today" is by no means the studio look of yesterday, very "fengshui", AY...

Room treatment (know your room)
Grid, treat it, or pay for it. NOISE reduction, equipment protection, SQ
Source choice, then equipmentment selection/speaker selection.
If you throw out one you're chasing your tail so to speak...
Being a mechanic 101.. LOL

I just did a system with a Sony ES transport, Tube headphone pre, class d 2.1 amp and all the STUFF including cables, 645. 00 usd.
Infinity RS4bs (110.00 and came with a new surround kit), and QSO 808 vmps monitors, for the 20-100 bass response, 100.00, local pick up.

Simply mind blowing, 30 plus people couldn't believe 650.00 for true reference quality sound. 25hz to 21k 93% sensitive. It truly matched more than 1/2 the folks there.  No one had less than 3K in a system at home. Some 50K per room, and a few rooms.

Regards