[Rafal]

Hi Everyone,

My dad has asked me to put togeter a stereo system for him for about $500CAD. He wants something that sounds good (obviously), is not too big and will work very well with vocal music (small ensamble) as well as classical. He does not listen a lot of rock music.  He would also like a remote control.

The source will be an ipod.

What would you suggest?

Thanks,
Rafal

[MKOM]

Hi Rafal:

Given your budget....I would look at the FatMan Itube.

This is an Integrated Amplifier with an Ipod Docking station.

For further info, feel free to check out:

http://www.fat-man.co.uk/

They are available with or without their own Loudspeakers.

We do have them in stock.

Hope this helps,

MKOM   

[Rafal]

Hi Rafal:

Given your budget....I would look at the FatMan Itube.

This is an Integrated Amplifier with an Ipod Docking station.

For further info, feel free to check out:

http://www.fat-man.co.uk/

They are available with or without their own Loudspeakers.

We do have them in stock.

Hope this helps,

MKOM   

What does something like that cost?

[Russell Dawkins]

I would check into this Polk unit:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=42782.msg382409#msg382409
or the audioengine 5s with the  ipod remote.
http://www.audioengineusa.com/

[Rafal]

I kind of like the audioengine idea, but I was more leaning towards a standard integrated amp (or better yet stereo reciever) and a pair of biggish bookshelf speakers. Tha Ipod would just be hooked up as aux in. The other idea I had was a T-amp with volume ctrl and a pair of high efficiency single driver speakers. I could build a pair of such speakers, but right now, I really don't have a time or space to do a build.

Any other ideas?

[IronLion]

My suggestion would be Onix X-LS's, Blue Jeans Cable, and a good integrated that you could get with leftover funds.

[honesthoff]

An AMC integrated and some Wharfedale 9.1's

[Rafal]

My suggestion would be Onix X-LS's, Blue Jeans Cable, and a good integrated that you could get with leftover funds.

I had decided on the Onix X-LS speakers (they are on sale for under $170US - B stock). Now I need to find a good integrated or reciever (prefferably with the remote ctrl). Any suggestions?

BTW, what are those Blue Jeans Cables?

Thanks,

Rafal

[JLM]

Blue Jean Cable is a company name.  But at this budget, I'd use bulk lamp cord and whatever RCA interconnects you can find.  (Cables could make for nice B-day or holiday gifts).

I'd recommend Oppo 970 universal player for $160 USD delivered.  It has a remote with volume control.  Here's a link:

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/oppo_digital_dv970hd.htm

The xls would be nice speakers, but very little bass and quite inefficient.  The inefficiency makes finding a suitable amp a bit harder.  Here's a link:

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/av123_xls_xsub.htm

And you only have $120 left (minus shipping and inport tariffs) for the amp.  One possibility is the Trends TA10.1 that costs about $120.  Here's a link:

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/trends_ta10_1.htm

[Rafal]

Thanks JLM.

I'm not including the source in this budget since I will be giving my dad my Ipod. This leaves me with about $300 for amplification. I woudl like either an integrated or a reciever with about 50w/ch or more. when it comes to speaker cables, I have tonnes of wire (from 10 gauge to Cat5) and I think I'll e able to make something up.

Has anyone heard Denon DRA 297 or Panasonic SAXR-55?

Cheers,

Rafal

[saisunil]

I kind of like the audioengine idea, but I was more leaning towards a standard integrated amp (or better yet stereo reciever) and a pair of biggish bookshelf speakers. Tha Ipod would just be hooked up as aux in. The other idea I had was a T-amp with volume ctrl and a pair of high efficiency single driver speakers. I could build a pair of such speakers, but right now, I really don't have a time or space to do a build.

Any other ideas?

I highly recommend audioengine. I heard them at the Home Entertainment Show 2007 in NEW - a couple of months ago. I was shocked. The sound was simply amazing. No! These are not audiophile grade speakers. Whatever they did - the sound was balanced and musical. The sound from the audio engine room was more musical than some rooms at the show - at much less price and fuss.
Since they are self powered - you do not have to worry about worry about matching the right amp/integrated with the speakers - audioengine has already integrated a matching amp with the speaker.

http://audioengineusa.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=77&osCsid=2063df5d6842b8a876ea4579bd06e57d

Good Luck
Sunil.

[Rafal]

Thanks Sunil,

I did consider the auniengine speakers. I think that the benefits of active system can be great. I would however preffer to get something a bit more flexible so my dad can easily add all kinds of sources to it.

Rafal

[acresm22]

I would strongly consider one of the Tripath-amp options....a Trends or Super-T...and match it with a pair of fostex single-driver speakers like the Tekton Design (search ebay).

[mcgsxr]

I think the Trends is a good piece, I have heard one (thanks Daygloworange!) and recall well my time spent with Teac and other tripath amps.

I own an Panny XR-25, and briefly owned the XR-55 - they sounded the same to me, so I figured no need to keep the 55, as it was no upgrade to my existing 25, other than feature I don't use.  The real magic of the Panny though, is using the digital input, so if you can (I am not a Pod user, and am not all that familiar with their connectivity) I would consider it strongly.  Else, I would go with the Trends, for the $.

As for speakers, it gets harder.  With the Trends, you will want some higher efficiency models, so I might look at Klipsch.  With the Panny, it is wide open, as it packs 100wpc.

As you are in Canada, you might consider any of the following, all found on Canuck Audio Mart, for speakers.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/65376-onix__xls_speaker/
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/64523-angstrom_speakers/
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/64522-paradigm_mini_monitors/
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/63799-paradigm_titans_v2_black_ash_finish_mint_condition/

Else, I might search eBay for speakers.

I know that you have built some lovely speakers, but I can suggest that a quick ported FR125 from CSS in BC will amaze - 0.5 cubic foot box, tuned with a 1.25x4.5 port (as I recall) is better than it has any right to be!

http://www.creativesound.ca/details.php?model=FR125S and you could DIY some http://www.creativesound.ca/details.php?model=EL1

I use a set of these in my main floor living room, and they do well.

[Rafal]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I almost bought the Onix x-ls but instead I went with a pair of used Paradigm Monitor 5 v.3 . They looked like new and cost me only 170CAD. For the amp, I decided on new DENON DRA 37. It fit the budget plus it's new, with full warranty and since it is a reciever, it has a radio. The combo sounds quiet nice. I could have gotten with a T amp of some sort and a single driver full range speakers (which is what I got for my brother (Charlize and FE126E BiB)) but my dad is quiet conservative. The system I got for him will be quiet flexible and practical. Now I just need to integrate the ipod and make some proper solid stone stands (or design them and have my dad make them).