[sleepkyng]

she's willing to spring roughly $500-1000

she's got a good cdp

small manhattan apartment, wants really musical sound (listens to celtic, folk, oldies, classical, etc)

i'm thinking of a jvc or panny digital receiver, a pair of those $300 maggies. maybe a dac for her airport express.

any thoughts?

[gary]

That ought to work nicely. Another option might be some Omega speakers and a Sonic Impact amp, either modded or unmodded. Don't think you could go wrong either way.

Gary

[Bemopti123]

I would have to politely disagree.  For someone who has not had much exposure to regular HIFI, the sound of the Omegas can be a turn off.  There is too much emphasis in the midrange and unless you wish to mod the regular stock drivers, you might find the presence too forward sounding.  I believe that the implementation of the Fostex drivers in the Omegas is rather poor.  After all in terms of execution, those Omega boxes are the least sophisticated of the bunch.  I have heard the Omega Grandes at a bash in NYC and I was absolutely turned off.  I suspect it will be the same with someone who is not really an audio expert.  I personally own a Fostex 208 Sigma in a backloaded horn and still have some issues with it.  My cabs are heavily modded but they need decent amplification to sound good.  

For that price range, I would pursue more conventional way of getting sound, a used 2 way and some sort integrated.  I have a pair of EPOS ES 11s that are on standby and had them paired with an affordable all digital 3 in 1 box from Sharp....that I paid 75 dollars for at OVERSTOCK.com.  The sound of this combo can blow any Omegas out of the water anytime, from the recollection I have about it.  This set up, with the EPOS at used prices can be exactly $400.  

Remember, Omegas are not that great especially when the drivers are unmodded.

[tex-amp]

Be sure she is okay with the amount of space Maggies take and how they look before getting her some, especially if her place is small.  I'd look for some nice monitors possibly sealed or front ported for space considerations.

[sleepkyng]

the magnepan mmgw's are really small, and she likes how they look so as far as that goes it's ok.

i think we're gonna try them especially with a 60 day money back guaruntee.

what's a good amp/preamp combo or receiver in the 3-700 range?

cheers!

[eric the red]

The Cambridge Audio 640a integrated has generated good press in that price range.  Audio Advisor has the unit for 500.00 with free shipping plus you get a 30 return policy and TONE CONTROLS

[mcgsxr]

Ahhhh Return of the Kyng!

Well, I am not sure if used is allowed, but if so, these caught my eye over on Audiogon...

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1112317360
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1112479428
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1110748101
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1113665048

If used is out of the question, then I would go with a Panny, and use the Airport Express digital in...  Good amp, and best way to feed it!

Good luck,

[SET Man]

When I see the word "Mom" that pretty mean a none audiophile and would likely be someone that would prefer to have simple and convient of remote control.

With that in mind I think that getting Omega speaker or Cambridge won't be a good idea. Like Bemopti123 says the Omega speaker based on Fostex driver would sond forward and have that imfamous "shout". Of casue Fostex driver are capable of great sound and great dynamic but they need to be tweak somewhat. Getting a Cambridge would be quite expensive for something without remote and no tuner.

Maggie are great speaker but they do need some power to fill the room and most importantly they need room behind them. For a "Mom" in small apt that could be a problem. If she get Maggie and ended up putting them  against the wall than they will sound bad.  And I think the MMG cost $550 now.

I would look for a simpler system. A JVC digi reciever is a good start and give you choice of expanding the system in to surround sound. I have not  heard it myself but seem to have a good raves, I'm planning to get one myself soon for a small surround system. For speaker.... (well personally I would go for DIY or kit like those from Madisound.) How about Epos ELS3? Or one from PSB? That should give her an excellent start.

Oh! wait how about this for speaker?





My own personal "Pipe Dream"   Anyway, probably not Maybe I will make 3 more to go with JVC digi surround sound reciever than add a sub.

Anyway, goodluck and keep us updated. Let us know how things turn out.

Good Luck
Buddy  [/code]

[JeffB]

The Magnepan MMGW($300) is smaller than the MMW($550).  It is also designed to be mounted on the wall.  Frequency response is 100Hz to 16KHz.  It targets home theatre applications where a sub is assumed.  There is a matching MMGC(center channel).

[SET Man]

Thanks JeffB for the update on Magnepan. I have no idea about MMGW. I had been a long while since the last time I connected the Maggie 1.5 of which I still have (planing to sell them now) And have not follow any news about Maggie speaker at all.

In that case they would would be worst than MMW(?) for main 2 channels system for the Mom.

Buddy

[Bemopti123]

the Creek sale in Audiogon looks really tempting.  The 4330 has some hidden muscle, and I believe it can be bi amped.  

The EL-3?  The Epos, the way I remember from a Stereophile review when it came out said that it was a decent set, but can sound a little bright if partnered with inferior amplification (something that the majority of amplification at the target point has hard time NOT being classified as.)

A Killer deal I think would be 1-An used Sumo Athena preamp, around $150-200.  2- a FORTE 4A, class A amp at 50 watts per channel but way, way over built.  Can be had for around $500?  But Class A amplification can get a little HOT.
 

I would point Mom to a 2 way speaker with really, really decent integrated set up.  Maximize sound quality and avoid falling trap to the AV convenience.  Unless she is REALLY into AV, money can be well spent in 2 channel sonics.

[SET Man]

Hi Paul. Ture, I do agreed. If this will be strictly 2 channels than maybe a good reciever from NAD or Rotel might fit the bill.

As for speaker that beat me. I have been very happy with my DIY Fostex.. moded/tweaked of cause  that I have not really check out other speakers(espacially at similar point) out there.

Anyway, I think is best to show the Mon around have her listen to your system see if she like the sound of your system than you could work from there. Maybe go to a friendly High-End store and show her around of what is out there.

But if this were for my Mon she definately want a remote control thingy. So, The newer Rotel or NAD would do and of cause I would just build her a pair of speaker myself from scratch or from kit.

Goodluck,
Buddy

[DrRasta]

I would recommend an NAD L53 DVD/CD Receiver, one unit stereo cd/receiver that sells for $599.  Add a pair of used speakers like Soliloquy 5.0's, Opera mini's since they sound and look nice.  Alternative would be a new pair of B&W 601 series 3.  Compact, nice looking and decent sounding.  I'm normally a tube guy but NAD makes decent user friendly mid-fi "mom friendly" gear.

[DrRasta]

I would recommend an NAD L53 DVD/CD Receiver, one unit stereo cd/receiver that sells for $599.  Add a pair of used speakers like Soliloquy 5.0's, Opera mini's since they sound and look nice.  Alternative would be a new pair of B&W 601 series 3.  Compact, nice looking and decent sounding.  I'm normally a tube guy but NAD makes decent user friendly mid-fi "mom friendly" gear.

[Tonto Yoder]

I would recommend an NAD L53 DVD/CD Receiver, one unit stereo cd/receiver that sells for $599. .....

I can't comment specifically on the NAD, but I think the Doctor is on the right track:  mom's probably no audiophile geek so she needs a real world system.
For instance, the last thing any normal person needs is a DAC.

I recently replaced a thrift store Onkyo receiver ($20) with one of the latest audio darlings (Panasonic 25) and think the Panny comes in a distant second.  I think many moms might agree??

[Bemopti123]

Agree with the opinion, but the one thing that is going to be a waste is the nice CDP source.  But then, she might have needed to get a decent pair of ICs....another source of sinking $$$, all in one compo is a great recommendation.  NAD is no nonsense gear and the recommended speakers might match them well indeed.

Paul

[guest1632]

the magnepan mmgw's are really small, and she likes how they look so as far as that goes it's ok.

i think we're gonna try them especially with a 60 day money back guaruntee.

what's a good amp/preamp combo or receiver in the 3-700 range?

cheers!

Hi, how about the Cambridge from Audio Advisor.

Ray

[guest1632]

When I see the word "Mom" that pretty mean a none audiophile and would likely be someone that would prefer to have simple and convient of remote control.

With that in mind I think that getting Omega speaker or Cambridge won't be a good idea. Like Bemopti123 says the Omega speaker based on Fostex driver would sond forward and have that imfamous "shout". Of casue Fostex driver are capable of great sound and great dynamic but they need to be tweak somewhat. Getting a Cambridge would be quite expensive for  ...

Hi, the Cambridge if memmory serves me correctly does have a remote.

[viggen]

How about selling the CD player and get the $75 Sharp and a pair of Moth Cicadas?

[JLM]

A mother friendly system probably is simple, convenient, and has low visual impact.  This could be your "are you good enough for my daughter test".  Hope the best for you.


Would Mom want to eventually want the option to use this system with her TV as a stereo or 2.1 HT system?

If so, might I suggest:

1.  Selling the CDP

2.  Buying a Sony DVD/receiver.

3.  Buy a pair of satellites and a matching sub.  I love my Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's, but Mom would want the optional/nicer finishes.  You could save a bit and go with the smaller CBM-200's that she might like better.

Just keep her out of the B*se store.