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..