Imaginary entry level Hi-Fi for your friend!

[AlfaGTV]

Lets see what you would conjure up, as a starter hi-fi for a friend with a budget of around £500?

At least one source component, analog or digital doesn't matter. Add speakers and amp (or active if you feel they can muster up the quality) If going for second hand items, be realistic about the prices! Cables would be good, but standard giveaways are an option.

I'd go for a chinese amp, summat like the Shanling SLM A-40 MkII (50W class A) at around £150-180
Speakers would be... Hmmm... I think Dynaudio Audience 42.. They go at around £250 incl decent stands here in Swe.
And for source, i think id like to find a Micromega Stage 1-3, these are cheap as chips due to the troublesome drive units, but i have a perfect sample bought for £40. If some tenners wolud be left id go for a decent quality i/c for connecting the CD to the amp.
Speaker cable would be single core copper install cable, what we call EKK. IEC cables would be std issue..

So, lets hear your suggestions!

Regards //Mike

[The Outcast]

A&R Cabridge A60 £80-£100, Heybrook HB2 speakers £70 stands £50 Rotel RC 865 CDP £50. The rest on cables.

[realysm42]

Power: t class amps, with batteries

DAC and pre: bushmaster 2, on a battery

Speakers: wharfedale diamonds

Speaker cable: black rhodium twist or talk 3

Interconnects: epiphany acoustics

Source: raspberry pi or smartphone

I've heard none of the above but its what I've heard most people describe as good vfm here, sure its in budget too.

[kininigin]

Laptop

Caiman Gatorised

Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 Pro (active)

Used in a smallish room at moderate levels,would sound very reasonable i think!

[AlfaGTV]

Rotel RC 865 CDP £50

Thats a good choice! Is that a TDA1541 DAC unit?
I owned an RCD-855 that had the TDA1541 unit and it sounded Very Nice!
Thats a healthy system at a very low cost by the way, or would you spend the remains on cables?

Regards //Mike

[AlfaGTV]

Seems i need to get to hear the Wharfedale Diamonds btw! :)

[kininigin]

The Wharfedales offer good value for money imo,whether active or passive!

[shane]

A&R Cabridge A60 £80-£100, Heybrook HB2 speakers £70 stands £50 Rotel RC 865 CDP £50. The rest on cables.

What he said, but maybe an Arcam Alpha CD (TDA1541, usually >£70). If you're lucky, leaves enough for a TT2/Basik/ATwhateverthecheaponeisE.

Alternatively, scrap the CD and get a Squeezebox Classic. It's unlikely that he doesn't already have a PC.