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January 1, 2009 - 9:08pm
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Friend needs speakers + integrated for less than $1000
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Does he have the opportunity to audition any gear? Or is he ordering over the internet based on a recommendation?
The Cambridge Audio Azur 640A v2 for $400 and and a pair of PSB Image T65s for $600, both from Audio Advisor, could be considered.
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/WHFMarch06640Av2licensedreprint.pdf
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/WHFMarch06640Av2licensedreprint.pdf
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/psb_image_t65.htm
http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews/AVREV-Image-T65-System
If there is somewhere he can audition the budget gear, that would be nice, but I don't know of any place. Of course, since we both live in Manhattan I can't say I live in the boondocks. We'll probably narrow down to a few brands and try to find a place to audition (I'll probably go with him since it would be a learning experience for me as well).
It's strange because he is a violinist but never really been into hifi. He was thinking more of movies and heard a sony box system (I think the upper end of what they offer) at his in-laws and thought is sounded "good." I talked with him a bit about his goals for the system, and told him he could get something (a two channel higher end system) that sounded at least as good with movies and better with music and with fewer flaws that will drive him nuts sooner or later. We also went to Circuit City to audition some of the box systems, and came back to my place and listened to my two channel system so he could compare (my amp and speakers were less than $1000 combined, although I got the speakers used and added a separate pre). Of course, I wasn't harsh and just said it was up to him -- some people might be perfectly happy with a cheap system for movies. He decided to go with a two channel system for a few reasons.
That's a long way of saying that, yes, he'd probably be happy to audition stuff if we can find that in the price range.
jackfish - thanks for the recs on the Cambridge and PSBs, I'll definitely pass that along.
Then he really should do the listening himself. He should be able to find a system or three that srike his fancy in a few shops in Manhattan. I have found musicians as a whole to be an unusual group when it comes to audio and they may not pick what you or I would for reasons you and I would but rather for reasons that are peculiarly their own. Let him listen to your system some more and get him talking about what he hears. Then you'll have a better idea where to lead him without pushing him.
Otherwise, I would say look at some pre owned gear and assume at this point he can be happy with most anything of quality.
That sounds right on Jan. I was hoping to get a few in mind to recommend to him (and I do).