I guess they call this "real world" hi-fi...

[jazzpiano]

OK, here's the new thread conundrum:

A friend, neighbor, co-worker hears music and sound like he/she has never heard before at your place. As a result, they would like to undertake the twin journey of exploring different kinds of music and, replacing their rack system w/ something that will allow them to appreciate the magic. They are not into hi-fi - yet, they do not want amps, preamps, the whole tubes vs. solid-state debate, they're afraid of getting in over their head, but they want both vinyl AND cd and they want to just get into the music. What budget equipment would you recommend that might get them there? (They "qualify" as a good candidate to be a fellow hi-fi nutter/music lover in the future but the world is telling them to buy Bose.)

~Barry:scratch:

[Alex_UK]

Barry - I've given this its very own thread - so, let's see what we all think, then... :)

[DSJR]

Little Denon mini with some speakers to match and a Pro-ject turntable with built in phono stage (or Rega RP1 with Fono-Mini, but it's extra boxes :()

I also think Onkyo & TEAC might have summat as well, but the Denons stick in the mind. For not much more, I believe you can get streaming versions as well - Yamaha do a nice one I think from memory.

[Zoidburg]

Little Denon mini with some speakers to match and a Pro-ject turntable with built in phono stage (or Rega RP1 with Fono-Mini, but it's extra boxes :()

I also think Onkyo & TEAC might have summat as well, but the Denons stick in the mind. For not much more, I believe you can get streaming versions as well - Yamaha do a nice one I think from memory.

Funny you should say that but that was my idea when my dad first raised the issue of "upgrading" his old system. A Denon mini system seemed to fit his requirements perfectly and we went off to a local Sevenoaks to look at and maybe Demo one. The guy in the shop had different ideas though and dismissed the denon kit saying the least we should be looking at was the Arcam single box unit at about double the price. His loss I guess.

[Ali Tait]

The Temple Audio amps are very good and small so can be tucked away. Not expensive either as hi fi goes.

[diceman]

You make no mention of budget..
Spend the bulk on a decent pair of second hand speakers.
Add a half decent AV amp and use their existing DVD player as Cd source. Add an old Rega TT or suchlike.

Alternatively look at some arcam or quad kit for the electronics. Probably about as "lifestyle" as you can get in proper hi-fi terms whilst still getting good VFM & sound.

[jazzpiano]

Hi JP,

I didn't make mention of budget because I wanted folks to think in terms of "getting in", bang-for-buck second-hand type equipment. For example I might say let's start w/ a used Rega Planar 3 w/ s-shaped arm for about $200.. or a pair of JR 149s or Spica TC-50s for $250 - $350? I wanted to keep the dollars a little fluid, just not retail or crazy money. Good stuff that can still be had for a decent price and, that has preferably stood the test of time.

Best,
Barry

[DSJR]

Funny you should say that but that was my idea when my dad first raised the issue of "upgrading" his old system. A Denon mini system seemed to fit his requirements perfectly and we went off to a local Sevenoaks to look at and maybe Demo one. The guy in the shop had different ideas though and dismissed the denon kit saying the least we should be looking at was the Arcam single box unit at about double the price. His loss I guess.

He was on commision obviously and the more profitable brands earn him more (they used to have a grading system as I remember). Not to do Arcam down, but merely to point out his probably motives in trying to up-sell you so..