[John151]

My brother is building a new house, and I am thinking about giving him a simple 2 channel system as a house warming present. 

Here is what I am thinking:

Source - Use what ever sources he already has - he is a mac person, so I am sure he can get an analog iPod signal out of something.  I have a Lite DAC 60 that I could toss in to get him excited.

Amplication - Want an integrated to keep things simple.  My top pic would be the EE MiniMax Integrated Amp.  Would most likely purchase used, although I can't find one at the moment.

Speakers - No clude what to get here.  I had a pair of NHT "One" speakers years ago that would be nice, but not sure if those are even made any longer.  Since this is a gift, hard to say where this will go, so I don't know the room size, or many other variables, so we need to just select speakers based on the above. 

Cables - I have lots of old stuff that he can use that will be plenty good for starters.

Assuming run of the mill easy listening style of music, what speakers would you recommend?  Also, I welcome rour thoughts and comments on the entire project.   

[JLM]

Most non-audiophiles think HT or desktop systems.  Do you know if he has either or would even be interested in a dedicated audio system?  What are his musical interests?  Will he be able to really turn it up?  What’s your budget?  Would he be interested in tubes?

Sorry, but without knowing the answers to the above, the room size, or the décor it’s impossible to give much guidance.

[John151]

Most non-audiophiles think HT or desktop systems.  Do you know if he has either or would even be interested in a dedicated audio system?  What are his musical interests?  Will he be able to really turn it up?  What’s your budget?  Would he be interested in tubes?

Sorry, but without knowing the answers to the above, the room size, or the décor it’s impossible to give much guidance.

Oh, I get all of that.   I do have an ulterior motive to get him into better audio. 


Music selection is your basic easy listening, not cranked up.  Listening style would be in a relaxed environment, while reading a book. 

He listens to multi-channel now, and probably thinks that the blinky lights are and indication of quality.   Tubes would be foreign to him, but I think he will get it when he hears it. 

[cujobob]

We'd need a price-range for the speakers to really be able to recommend anything...plus average listening levels.

It seems to be a pretty budget-oriented system...if monitors work, I'd suggest GR Research N2X which can be built for you or purchased used.  I've personally used a pair with a Lite DAC 60 and they sound amazing.

[John151]

We'd need a price-range for the speakers to really be able to recommend anything...plus average listening levels.

It seems to be a pretty budget-oriented system...if monitors work, I'd suggest GR Research N2X which can be built for you or purchased used.  I've personally used a pair with a Lite DAC 60 and they sound amazing.

I assumed small monitors given the modest power of the MiniMax. 

I do like the idea of GR speakers - never had the pleasure, but have always had the desire.

No specifc budget, other than minimal costs.  If the costs inflate, then the project will be still born.

[werd]

Hi

You would do him the biggest favor by having him put in a seperate 15 amp circuit for his 2 channel. Use 10 gauge (its really not much more) and a good Hospital grade outlet. Since the house is being built now is the time.

[sts9fan]

Epos makes a very nice sounding mini monitor that can be had a a good price.  the ELS-3 is tiny but sounds quite good.  Can be had for $150 on the gon.  Also look out for a pair of ACI Emerald XL.  I have not heard them but I have heard the Saphire XL and I am sure they are great also.  Budget?

Kris

[John151]

Hi

You would do him the biggest favor by having him put in a seperate 15 amp circuit for his 2 channel. Use 10 gauge (its really not much more) and a good Hospital grade outlet. Since the house is being built now is the time.

Too far along for those changes, but a very good suggestion. 

[sts9fan]

lota speaker for the price
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=82207.0

[John151]

lota speaker for the price
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=82207.0

Wow, I might grab those for myself (even though I love my current speakers).

[cujobob]

I have a pair of N2X in the Parts Express Maple Rectangular cabinets and those X-Statiks still for sale.

Even though I'm selling them, they're fantastic speakers and some I wouldn't hesitate to recommend were I not a seller.

For a newbie, the N2X make a lot of sense...small size, huge soundstange and image amazingly.

[JLM]

Best Buy Insignia 6.5 inch bass reflex speakers ($88/pair, 90 dB/w/m, 8 ohms, 50 - 20,000 Hz) are surprisingly good considering the source/price.  For a little more Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE ($348/pair, 90 dB/w/m, 8 ohms, 55 - 21,000 Hz) are stupid good for this application.  Neither look like much, but real wood gets expensive.

[ctviggen]

Hi

You would do him the biggest favor by having him put in a seperate 15 amp circuit for his 2 channel. Use 10 gauge (its really not much more) and a good Hospital grade outlet. Since the house is being built now is the time.

It's unlikely you'd be able to find a 15 amp outlet that would be made to take a 10 gauge wire, but maybe it's possible.  I'd elect to go with 20 amp circuit and outlet(s). 

This isn't a bad option for a integrated amp:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1283559870&/Creek-5350-SE-made-in-uk--with

I like the Creek I have, which was also my first foray into the high end.

[EthanH]

Maybe consider some Totems, since in my experience non-audiophiles tend to like the look of their products. 

Or you could get him a decent tube pre and pair of active Quad monitors for something simple that looks good and doesn't take up much space.

[MaxCast]

It's hard to pass on the x-statics.  If book shelf I vote for the n2x by GR.

[JohnR]

I have to be honest, I think that something more decorative like an artwork would be a much better use of your budget. Good quality audio costs money, I don't need to tell anyone here that, but the question is, is it really a gift that will be appreciated for what it is?

[ctviggen]

If it's a brand new house, offering to buy some window coverings would likely be met with more enthusiasm.  There are a lot of windows in a house, and covering them gets very expensive very quickly. 

[cujobob]

If used, the two channel system is one that will be remembered for far longer.  Personally, I always say give a gift that meets what someone else wants and that also represents the person giving it.  Some people think getting an audio system is absolutely awesome, while others never touch the thing.  I've given them as gifts to many people in my family.

[silver_strings]

His mac should have an optical output so he can just connect that to the dac60.