2. amps-preamps
  3. 1101534228

Small Room. 2-channels. $1,500 & nothing else.

The title says it all: Small, 9.5'x11' room. Hardwood floors. Absolutely no gear to start with. Looking for a 2 channel system. $1,500. Used or new or refurbed - it's all good if it sounds good!

What would you do?

I have a nice HT/downstairs audio system in the way of an NAD T762, PSB Stratus Silver i's, PSB C5i center, PSB Sub 7 15" sub, NAD 542 CD, and a cheap DVD player. Quite frankly, superb sound for the less than $2.5k I spent on it. But the reality is that I am setting up a second room upstairs in the house as a "retreat". It will have little in it - a couch, small flatscreen TV. Beer cooler.

And a 2 channel stereo.

I am working on keeping this ultra simple. As simple as I can: Int/Amp, CDP, Speakers. Wires. No sub wanted. Just good, clean, enjoyable, upgradeable 2-channel sound.

My initial thoughts:

Int Amp:
1. NAD 320 BEE
2. NAD 352
4. Music Hall Maverick
5. Jolida 202
6. Jolida 302
- The Music Hall Maverick is by far the most expensive with a retail of $1250...I would definitely have to find it used. But it is one very lovely looking int amp. and I daresay that the listening has been very good...

CDP
1. Music Hall CD25
2. NAD T542 or 521 BEE (could sub the 521 into the downstairs...take the 542 upstairs...)

Speakers
1. PSB Stratus Mini's
2. Green Mountain Europa
3. B&W ???

As silly as it seems, I want this system to LOOK good, not just sound good. This is my private home away from home. Pictures on the wall, peace, quiet. Aesthetics are all part of this as well.

Type of music I listen to? Classical, Jazz. New Age. Opera. Save the rock & roll for downstairs - this is a retreat room where I can find peace.

This is a wide open type of request. I suppose if I had more money, I would likely go with the Music Hall CD25 & Maverick and then try to find a set of speakers to match it - but I figure that the best I could do then would be a $2k system...which is out of my reach at least in the short term.

What say you, Audiophiles?
rnovi

Showing 2 responses by gargoyle

gargoyle's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
gargoyle
10 posts
 
Here you go and it is all right here on Audiogon.

Mcintosh MA-5100 Integrated amp great condition $350 obo
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1103763585

Magnepan SMGc
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1106772128

California Audio Delta Transport
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtltran&1106767888

California Audio Lab Alpha tube DAC
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1106227981

Cardas Interconnects brand new BLOWOUT free airmail shipping
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?cablintr&1103640424

Audioquest Bedrock 8ft
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?cablspkr&1106033332
gargoyle's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
gargoyle
10 posts
 
"So far, it seems that the generally recommended method for CD play is to go with a cheap CD and a separate DAC. Am I reading that correctly?"
I would hav to say no and at the same time defend my sugestion of the CAL Delta/Alpha combo. This is a very good transport/DAC. The review are very favorable and also owning one I'm here to tell you that for the money a very good deal. You owe it to yourself to look into this set a little more. A way of saving a little on this would be to go with the Sigma DAC. That would save you approx $150 to $200. I also think the Maggies are a good bang for the buck but I will admit that not everybody like the sound of these speakers. I've owned Maggies since 1982 so I guess you could say I'm a bit biased. You do get three gold stars for at least looking into the type of equipment that you are instead of running down to the local "superstore" and plopping down your hard earned cash on some super "all in one" system.
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