Post by Chris on Aug 11, 2019 13:47:39 GMT -5
As I mentioned at the August meeting, I have proposed to John that we have a theme for our room at CAF 2019. My idea for a theme is Audiophile sound on a budget. I would like to assemble a system or multiple systems that are near state of the art sound on a pretty extreme budget. I would like to feature gear that is not displayed in other rooms and is not often heard at shows.
I welcome input on what to feature. I have a bunch of ideas. The criteria is that is easily and currently available to buy for the list price or below. Also, I want to pick products that really work well together and have a synergy that is more than than a sum of the parts.
I am very enthusiastic about assembling a system that features the new Magnepan LRS dipole speakers. At $650, with 30 day in home listening option, I believe they are the most Audiophile experience of speakers one can buy for so little money. Most new or budget buyers will have never experienced dipole speakers and it would be a revelation in sound for them. Of course we would need a decent amp of probably 100 watts to really make these speakers shine. A PS Audio Sprout integrated amp might work?
I am not opposed to a box speaker system as well. I would nominate Klipsch RP-660m speakers at around $550. Another one is the KEF Q150 in white at $550.
Sources would probably be digital including some streaming/bluetooth options. There is a Project streaming box that is popular that might work? I'd love to also feature vinyl. Maybe something like the Rega P3 for around $1000 might be a winner.
For DACs it might be fun to demo the $99 Khadas DAC, Topping D50 DAC ($199), or maybe the Mytek Liberty DAC (might be too expensive at $999).
Maybe a budget blu-ray player for CD/SACD transport. The Sony UBP-X800 4k Blu-ray player supports SACD playback and is priced at $238.
We could also have a budget headphone station. Maybe Massdrop Sennheiser 6xx for example and their THX amp.
All products should have a placard acknowledging who provided the demo equipment.
Let's discuss and pass on to John to see how we can get this organized for the show.
I welcome input on what to feature. I have a bunch of ideas. The criteria is that is easily and currently available to buy for the list price or below. Also, I want to pick products that really work well together and have a synergy that is more than than a sum of the parts.
I am very enthusiastic about assembling a system that features the new Magnepan LRS dipole speakers. At $650, with 30 day in home listening option, I believe they are the most Audiophile experience of speakers one can buy for so little money. Most new or budget buyers will have never experienced dipole speakers and it would be a revelation in sound for them. Of course we would need a decent amp of probably 100 watts to really make these speakers shine. A PS Audio Sprout integrated amp might work?
I am not opposed to a box speaker system as well. I would nominate Klipsch RP-660m speakers at around $550. Another one is the KEF Q150 in white at $550.
Sources would probably be digital including some streaming/bluetooth options. There is a Project streaming box that is popular that might work? I'd love to also feature vinyl. Maybe something like the Rega P3 for around $1000 might be a winner.
For DACs it might be fun to demo the $99 Khadas DAC, Topping D50 DAC ($199), or maybe the Mytek Liberty DAC (might be too expensive at $999).
Maybe a budget blu-ray player for CD/SACD transport. The Sony UBP-X800 4k Blu-ray player supports SACD playback and is priced at $238.
We could also have a budget headphone station. Maybe Massdrop Sennheiser 6xx for example and their THX amp.
All products should have a placard acknowledging who provided the demo equipment.
Let's discuss and pass on to John to see how we can get this organized for the show.