New Sensations Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 I think I've finally talked a mate into dropping some money on a new system. He's got $1k to spend, no more. System has to include ALL cables (for which I'm almost certainly thinking Blue Jean) but we need to source a DAC, amp and speakers. DAC-wise, I'm thinking Schiit Modi ($100ish) so that leaves $800ish for amp and speakers. On the speakers shortlist are Usher S-520 (which need a beefy amp) or Wharfedale 9.1s. Anything else? My brain has frozen on amplifiers that might fall into his budget. Suggestions? One more thing: no second hand, no 'vintage'. My mate wants new stuff. 1
automated Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 Does he need analog inputs? What about an Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/PRE and some active speakers? http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda2 http://www.emotivapro.com/products/airmotiv-5-pair
New Sensations Posted June 12, 2013 Author Posted June 12, 2013 Does he need analog inputs? What about an Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/PRE and some active speakers? http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda2 http://www.emotivapro.com/products/airmotiv-5-pair Hmmmm. Emotiva make good stuff but shipping on that bundle would be at least $500. No need for analogue inputs.
sum1 Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 The new NAD D3020 might be a good product if its out there already.
houdinifangs Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 I'd be thinking a powered speaker, perhaps one with an inbuilt DAC. Aktimate Maxi has plenty of bang for buck, no DAC, but nice domestic trims. 1
automated Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 I'd be thinking a powered speaker, perhaps one with an inbuilt DAC.Aktimate Maxi has plenty of bang for buck, no DAC, but nice domestic trims. Kef X300A? http://www.kef.com/html/gb/showroom/digital_music_solutions/x300a/overview/ 1
Cafad Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 That X300 does look like a good option. My 2c worth would be a QLS QA100 (sub $450), Usher S520s (about $400) and a cheap source that he hopefully already has. No need for a DAC and no need for analogue ICs, just one digital cable and speaker cables. 1
hochopeper Posted June 12, 2013 Posted June 12, 2013 (edited) 2 x LSK M4 + Dayton T-amp for ~ 500 [EDIT: I forgot to add a bit for shipping to this, so total for this probably comes a bit higher than $500] one of the cheaper audio-gd DACs for ~250-300 belden 5000 series speaker (5ft pair - $10 unterminated) and LC1 interconnect cables (1ft - $25) from blue jeans ~70 (this should include shipping, just a guess) ~130 left over for speaker stands Edited June 12, 2013 by hochopeper 3
Juicester Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 One more thing: no second hand, no 'vintage'. My mate wants new stuff. needs his head adjusted then... you should well and truly be able to espouse to him the virtues of second-hand getting him further. unless of course he doesn't actually care about the sound quality of the final system.. 3
Dolphy Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 Hochopepper, do you know how the LSK M4s hold up against the Usher S520? They about $70 dearer.
k3here Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 How about a Trends Audio amp TA-10.2 which I think you can get shipped for $250ish. I am amazed what this does for the price. 1
New Sensations Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 Steve Guttenberg rates some of the Dayton stuff. LSKs look interesting - they have a reseller in Australia, right? It was the KEF X300A that started this conversation with my mate - I have some in for review. There are some good all-in-one solutions out there: KEF, Epoz, Vanatoo but (ironically), he wants separates. He wants what he wants.
davewantsmoore Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 Hochopepper, do you know how the LSK M4s hold up against the Usher S520? They about $70 dearer. Ushers have more bass, M4 rolls off at 100hz. EQ can fix that depending on how high you need your max output vs distortion to be.
New Sensations Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 The problem with a lot of the cool(er) budget gear is that it requires direct import. All fine and dandy until you look at shipping costs. 1
davewantsmoore Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 Steve Guttenberg rates some of the Dayton stuff. LSKs look interesting - they have a reseller in Australia, right? Yep. They ARE Australian.... and a SNA sponsor.
hochopeper Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 Hochopepper, do you know how the LSK M4s hold up against the Usher S520? They about $70 dearer. No idea, I personally haven't heard either. I have a pair of LSK M6 that I built a while ago and think the LSK gear is very solid and (now that it's available again) it is where I would go for a high value system. I've moved on a bit from that now and am getting a different set of speakers built (redspade Cinem8 which may become an LSK kit later) so I'm a bit out of the loop in terms of that end of the market. For a truly complete system, that allows some room for movement/upgrades etc that what I've shown there is pretty solid/balanced. Could add a subwoofer later or larger speakers if the bug catches. Steve Guttenberg rates some of the Dayton stuff. LSKs look interesting - they have a reseller in Australia, right? LSK are Aussie, now run by Paul Spencer, I'm sure you've seen him around 1
greigw Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 How about a 1TB Olive One? http://www.myoliveone.com/Ones/tech_specs 1
anfs Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 DAC BOX USB from Miranda Hifi: $157 Amp: Dayton APA-150 from loudspeakerkit $219 Cables from Blue Jeans: Approx $50-$100? Stands: $100 from Selby Acoustics (Assuming he needs them) Speakers: Usher S-520 $320 (Ebay) Total: $900 That or a Gatorized Caiman from Ienjoy for $250 and then use the variable output of the DAC into Adam audio F5 $600 from Turramurra Music John Darko, to make answering the question easier, does he only need a USB DAC or one with Toslink, Coax and USB?. Does he need speaker stands if going with standmounts? 2
Guest fordgtlover Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) I think I've finally talked a mate into dropping some money on a new system. He's got $1k to spend, no more. System has to include ALL cables (for which I'm almost certainly thinking Blue Jean) but we need to source a DAC, amp and speakers. DAC-wise, I'm thinking Schiit Modi ($100ish) so that leaves $800ish for amp and speakers. On the speakers shortlist are Usher S-520 (which need a beefy amp) or Wharfedale 9.1s. Anything else? My brain has frozen on amplifiers that might fall into his budget. Suggestions? One more thing: no second hand, no 'vintage'. My mate wants new stuff. How big is his room? What sort of music does he listen to? Does he need to cater for different sources, or just a computer with DAC? Does he need stands included in the $1k? Edited June 13, 2013 by fordgtlover
New Sensations Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 Yep. They ARE Australian.... and a SNA sponsor. the .com web address clearly threw me.
New Sensations Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 Sorry guys - here are some more details: he only needs a DAC with USB. This will be the *only* source. Stands? Nice to get them in the budget but not essential.
hochopeper Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) I just noticed the M4 is actually 170ea when buying 2 or more since they're normally sold as singles, unless I read something wrong? ... so that makes the LSK total in my earlier post pretty conservative, that discount probably easily covers the shipping cost. Edited June 13, 2013 by hochopeper
New Sensations Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 How about a 1TB Olive One? http://www.myoliveone.com/Ones/tech_specs No idea how I missed this! Are these for sale in Oz yet?
Juicester Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 No idea how I missed this! Are these for sale in Oz yet? not a bad idea $500 - leaves $500 for speakers. Something like this? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Castle-Knight-2-bookshelf-speakers-Black-Oak-Veneer-RRP-799-/150984743953?pt=AU_Hi_Fi_Speakers&hash=item2327645c11 Reasonable sensitivity (needed for the One's 32W).
New Sensations Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 Found that Guttenberg article on the Daytons: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57439115-47/build-your-own-desktop-stereo-for-under-$70/
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