An affordable Hifi setup with warm character?

[Philson81]

Hi!

I’m asking for my cousin. He’s looking for a used, affordable Hifi setup of speakers and amp with modest budget of 1.5k. Can you help me sort out some models that could fit?

He is a guitarist and has a lot of experience with those kind of amps but nothing from Hifi world. He wants something on the warmer side with a good midrange and also curious of tube amps. He listen a lot to jazz, guitar music of course, some classical. Important that it can’t have any sharpness in the upper freq as he’s very sensitive for those freq.

I myself was thinking British BBC speakers, and have had a few Harbeths a few years ago. Those are kind of pricey so do you have other recommendations as well as suited amps. The budget isn’t to much but he can buy old gear as long as it sound pretty good.

[Jac Hawk]

It's very difficult as it depends on a few factors, you've already mentioned he likes a warm sound, so valves generally do that better but may take him out of budget, speakers will depend to a degree on the size of his room and if he has a partner, how they feel about their size and look, you haven't mentioned source equipment either, so does the budget need to accommodate a CD player, streamer or even a turntable.

[Philson81]

It's very difficult as it depends on a few factors, you've already mentioned he likes a warm sound, so valves generally do that better but may take him out of budget, speakers will depend to a degree on the size of his room and if he has a partner, how they feel about their size and look, you haven't mentioned source equipment either, so does the budget need to accommodate a CD player, streamer or even a turntable.

He lives alone and is just about to move to a smaller house very soon. I don’t know the exact size of the listening room, will check with him. He would like to accommodate a Vinyl rig later but for now listen to Tidal through a Dac. I understand the budget isn’t great but how about vintage stuff, what could he look for?

[hifinutt]

some nice amphion speakers would be good with decent integrated like arcam. should be possible with that budget

[Lawrence001]

Can't you pick up the older Harbeth HL5 for not much these days? Earthy radial bass drivers IIRC.

[Lawrence001]

Also does he need a DAC in the budget?

[Macca]

lots of 70s speakers with warm forging character - late 70s and 1980s Spendors are not a million miles from Harbeths and can be had for 2 to 3 hundred.

Wharfedale and KEF from that era also worth considering. Amplifier - something from JVC or Sony mid/late 1980s will be fine with any of those speakers. Do it easy for 5 or 6 hundred tops.

[Philson81]

Can't you pick up the older Harbeth HL5 for not much these days? Earthy radial bass drivers IIRC.
Yes I suppose you could find them pretty cheap.

He told me he has a very cheap DAC so he might need to buy a better one.

[Philson81]

lots of 70s speakers with warm forging character - late 70s and 1980s Spendors are not a million miles from Harbeths and can be had for 2 to 3 hundred.

Wharfedale and KEF from that era also worth considering. Amplifier - something from JVC or Sony mid/late 1980s will be fine with any of those speakers. Do it easy for 5 or 6 hundred tops.
Good advice thanks.

[Philson81]

some nice amphion speakers would be good with decent integrated like arcam. should be possible with that budget
I’ll look up those speakers. I recognize the name..

[Pigmy Pony]

Or maybe some standmounts from Q Acoustics with one of Arcam's Alpha amps. Look a bit more modern.

[Philson81]

Or maybe some standmounts from Q Acoustics with one of Arcam's Alpha amps. Look a bit more modern.
I’ll add that to my list thanks.

[hifi_dave]

I’ll look up those speakers. I recognize the name..

Wouldn't say they are warm.

[Sherwood]

Wouldn't say they are warm.

Due to my health issues I have had to change my hifi to a system that takes up less space and which I can operate remotely.

After a lot of research I went for these. https://petertyson.co.uk/q-acoustics-concept-20-speakers

They really come into their own with the dedicated stands which are being discounted if bought with the Concept 20s.

I cannot speak too highly of this set up which comes in at 370 quid. I would not say they are warm as such but they are very smooth with a surprisingly extended bass for their size. Plenty of reviews online.

I have an amp that has become surplus to requirements that would drive these perfectly. It is a NuForce DDA-100 Integrated Amplifier in excellent condition. This review tells you all you need to know. https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/nuforce-dda-100-integrated-amplifier-1/

PM me if you are interested. I have all the original packaging so shipping should not be an issue.

Geoff

[Philson81]

Due to my health issues I have had to change my hifi to a system that takes up less space and which I can operate remotely.

After a lot of research I went for these. https://petertyson.co.uk/q-acoustics-concept-20-speakers

They really come into their own with the dedicated stands which are being discounted if bought with the Concept 20s.

I cannot speak too highly of this set up which comes in at 370 quid. I would not say they are warm as such but they are very smooth with a surprisingly extended bass for their size. Plenty of reviews online.

I have an amp that has become surplus to requirements that would drive these perfectly. It is a NuForce DDA-100 Integrated Amplifier in excellent condition. This review tells you all you need to know. https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/nuforce-dda-100-integrated-amplifier-1/

PM me if you are interested. I have all the original packaging so shipping should not be an issue.

Geoff

Hello Geoff!

Thank you for the suggestion. I believe my cousin have found some Hifi-kit yesterday, but I´ll tell him about your stuff.