Apartment Dweller's Paradise - The Ideal 2 ch. system?

A System for an Apartment Dweller? For around $10K??

Okay..... Here Goes:

Wireless (For Smaller Apartment):

Speaker System: KEF LS50 Wireless (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Operation; Wireless Remote Control; Built-In Amplification -- 200 Watts For The Woofers/30 Watts For The Tweeters; Analog/Digital Connectivity; etc) -- $2,200.00

Speaker Stands: Sanus Steel Foundations SF26B (Sand/Lead Filled) -- $130.00

Powered Subwoofer(s): VTF-1 Mk3 (x2) (250 Watts Continuous/1000 Watts Short Term/10" Woofer/2 Ports) ($380.00 Each) -- $760.00

Digital Music Player: BlueSound VAULT 2 -- $1,200.00

Phono Stage: PS Audio GCPH -- $500.00 (Used)

Turntable/Arm: VPI Scout w/JMW-9T Tone Arm -- $2,000.00

Phono Cartridge: Sumiko BPS-EVO III -- $550.00

Splitter RCA Jack: AudioQuest Hard RCA Splitter (Plugged Into Subwoofer Output On Rear Of KEF LS50 Wireless Speaker System To Accommodate Two VTF-1 Mk3 Powered Subwoofers) -- $13.00

Power Cords: Pangea AC 14SE MkII -- (x4)($65.00 Each) -- $260.00

Interconnects: Cardas Crosslink (x3) (For VTF-1 Mk3 Subwoofers; VPI Scout Turntable; PS Audio GCPH)($170.00) -- $510.00

Digital Toslink Optical Cable: AudioQuest Pearl -- $40.00

Tablet: Apple iPad Mini 4 (128 GB) (Additional Music Source) -- $400.00

Smart Phone: Apple iPhone 6S (2015)(64 GB)(w/KEF LS50 Control App) -- Free

System Total: $8,563.00


Component Hi-Fi System (For Larger Apartment):

Speaker System: Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures (In Rosewood) -- $2,560.00

Speaker Stands: Sound Anchor (For Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures) -- $400.00

Integrated Amplifier: Cambridge Audio 851A AZUR (Dual-Mono Design; 120 Watts Per Channel @ 8 Ohms/200 Watts Per Channel @ 4 Ohms; XLR Inputs (x2)) -- $1,600.00

Music Streamer: Cambridge Audio 851 AZUR Network Music Streamer (24-Bit/192 kHz. Capability; Upsamples To 384 kHz; Dual 24-Bit DAC’s; XLR Outputs) -- $1,600.00

Phono Stage: PS Audio GCPH -- $500.00 (Used)

Turntable/Arm: VPI Scout w/JMW-9T Tone Arm -- $2,000.00

Phono Cartridge: Sumiko BPS-EVO III -- $550.00

Speaker Cables -- AudioQuest GBC (Bi-Wired For Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures) -- $308.00

Interconnects: AudioQuest Black Mamba (RCA) (VPI Turntable To PS Audio Phono Stage) -- $24.00; AudioQuest MacKenzie Braid (x2)(XLR)(PS Audio GCPH To Cambridge 851A AZUR; Cambridge Audio 851N AZUR To Cambridge 851A AZUR)($190 Each) -- $380.00

Tablet: Apple iPad Mini 4 (128 GB) (Additional Music Source) -- $400.00

Smart Phone: Apple iPhone 6S (2015)(64 GB)(w/Cambridge Audio Control Apps) -- Free

System Total: $10,250.00 (Ooops.... $250 Over Budget.... Can Someone Spot Me $250.00? Otherwise... I’ll Put The $250.00 Balance On My Credit Card).

Happy Listening Everyone!!!

--Charles--

If the room is really small (like my 18sqm study) I think nothing beats the Harbeth P3ESR speakers. Since they are a closed system, they can also be located relatively closely to the wall. In a somewhat larger room one could add two small subwoofers (works a treat, I tried it, but with Antimode 8033 equalization), and or move up to the Harbeth M30.1.
Electronics would depend on the sources that are required. Assuming a TV and discs are also part of the story, I would go for an Oppo UDP205 as a universal player, serving as a pre amplifier as well. Chromecast Audio for streaming. Add a 2x100 watt power amplifier (or more in a larger room and with the M30.1) with balanced inputs. Benchmark AHB2 if you want the best, Emotiva if budget matters.
If a disc player is unneccessary, why not a Yamaha RN 803d?

Or if I am to move into VERY small efficiency (renting an apartment or buying a condo)(about 500 Sq. Ft. or less), and would still would like to have excellent sound, then I can also put together this nice little system for VERY little money.

Speaker System:  ELAC UB5 — $500.00 or Wharfedale Reva-2 — $1000.00*
Speaker Stands:  Sanus Steel Foundations SF26B (Sand/Lead Filled) — $130.00
Powered Subwoofer:  Speedwoofer 10S RS Wireless — $400.00
Integrated Amplifier:  NAD C-338 — $650.00
Headphones:  Sennheiser HD-650 — $500.00
Turntable:  Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit (in Black) — $600.00
Phono Cartridge:  Ortofon 2M Blue — $250.00
Digital Music Player:  BlueSound NODE 2 — $500.00
Speaker Cables:  AudioQuest GBC — $150.00
Interconnects:  AudioQuest Red River (2 Prs. @ $120.00 each) — $240.00
Digital Cable:  AudioQuest Pearl (Coaxial) — $40.00**
Tablet:  Apple iPad Mini 4 (128 GB)(Additional Music Source) — $400.00
Smart Phone:  iPhone 6S (2015)(64 GB)(w/NAD & Speedwoofer Apps) — Free
Stand:  SolidSteel S5-5 — $1,500.00

System Total:  $5,860.00 w/ELAC UB5 Speaker System
System Total:  $6,360.00 w/Wharfedale Reva-2 Speaker System

* = Wharfedale Reva-2 has a Piano Cherry or Rosewood Finish I find to be intoxicating and that I “MUST” have

** = Price of AudioQuest Pearl Coaxial Digital Cable is approximate

—Charles—

And if space is really at a premium: ATC on wall speakers: http://atcloudspeakers.co.uk/hi-fi/loudspeakers/hts-on-wall/hts7/

I would get the small harbeths and a Croft amp or used red wine as suggested. On a smaller budget perhaps powered speakers like Adam pros with a good dac streamer like bluesound or oppo.