Gorgeous hifi for £5k

Well, if your friend likes discrete, "scandinavian cool", the obvious choice would be Copland. Wonderful sounding gear and sensibly priced too.

I'm sure you'd be able to get a CDP & integrated amp for around £3K, leaving £2K for speakers (which would have to be Sonus Faber of course!). Or maybe a pair of those dinky Reference 3A Duclets in piano black.....

DT

 

I don't know if he'd go for the Beo 5s - bit too dalek-like, and possibly a bit much to pay if he doesn't like the look..
And I'd thought about Meridian, not convinced they fulfill the brief of Scandinavian chic - perhaps a bit too black and squat..
The Gryphon gear would wow him - pity it's soo expensive but an ex-dem/2nd hand deal might be good.
It's also possible he'd go for the Sugden Bijou, though it hasn't got the looks of the Gryphon...
And as for Squeezebox (i.e. PC with all your cds on it, Gordon) - not too sure, what with him only just having learned to text .
There is a B&O PC, though, and there's always the Mac options for slight technophobes..
It's also possible he'd like the look of the Linn Klimax and Ninkas - understated but hewn from solid hoojah..

 

Meridian G series kit is available in black or silver, however you'll probably have to buy new as very little is available s/h. The older 500 series only comes in black.

Mr Perceptive

 

Talking of squeezebox / computer audio a friend of mine has a mac mini as the basis for audio / dvd - using .aif encoding the results are pretty good. The system looks very cool...

 

Copland isnt as pretty as B&O but still a design statement and will make the B&O sound as ordinary as they do. The consenance integrated and amp and cd look really cool and having not heared them still know they will sound better than B&O.

Speakers sonus faber or how muchh are the entry level bosendorfers?

 

how about a pair of Martin Logans?
They are surely an interior designers wet dream.



You'd need a powerful amp to do them justice. You could always go source direct to reduce the box count a la WM

 

OK A Pathos Model a £1300


Anthony Gallo's £2300


CD it's not to blingy honest £1300


Radio's a bit harder, there's supposed to be a tivoli DAB coming out, that could do just the job. Get a cool stand and it'll look the business

 

The Sugden stuff is excellent. For the money you can do a little better in system sound but not in build and finish which is excellent. The AmpMaster is the real star but many are going to find it underpowered.

Cheers

Jason

 

I'm not sure about recommending the Shanling cd to anyone - when I demmed it it was terrible, spitty, harsh and generally unmusical. And wasn't convinced about the gold highlights.
However, the Gallo speakers could be the ticket, and perhaps the Pathos (is it a hybrid?)
In that case a chromed cdp is necessary, though it's possible he'll go the Mac route..

 

I heard it in Manchester and liked it, not sure whether it was doing CD or SACD though

 

Another good looking Scandinavian brand is Primare

 

I've had a pathos classic one (MkII) for a few months and can thoroughly recommend it. It's the best sounding amp I've ever heard. Texture, tonality and "air" without equal. It can be slow though and has lean/tightly controlled bass. Plenty of power, and it works nicely with SF too. Can't imagine many B&O fans going for it on looks though. It is an acquired taste aesthetically!

Great recommednation on those AG's, lordsummit. They look & sound *fantastic* (amazing bass for their size. Great soundstage too. This was on the end of a humble Rotel 1062!!).

DT

 

for something more normal looking to go with Anthony Gallo, you could go for Unison Research Unico amp and CDP. Nicely matching silver boxes..

Incidentally, KJwestone has a Unico amp in for £525 (rrp £900).





Buy the Unico used, the Anthony Gallo new, the CDP new, and you'd have enough left for a Squeezebox 2! - if he already has a PC.

 

Don't think he'd go for the Unicos - bit too utilitarian...
I know he likes the Chrod, but probably won't go to £15k+ for the privilege..
However, the Gallos, plus amp - perhaps an Audio Analogue Maestro would do the trick.. He likes a warm sound being a fan of the early Stax/motown stuff and so wouldn't notice the slowness of it! And it does have THE biggest knob..
Praps that with a pretty Mac would work, unless there's any more suggestions for GORGEOUS cdps for around £2k (new or 2nd hand..).
Beauty is I'm searching for hifi, and won't need to spend any money!!!

 

I'd rather have B&O than Sonus Faber.

 

I pushing for the Gallo ref 3s..
Anyone know who sells them? I couldn't find a dealer through Google, apart from for the little round ones..

 

Walrus I think, and also Vickers in the North East

 

Walrus don't any more - I'll try Vickers..
And does anyone have a number for midland audio exchange?
It doesn't appear on his website!

 

Stoneaudio.co.uk have them. (I think!)

 

leonard, theres a cheap maestro integrated amp and CDP at distributors UKD.

http://www.ukd.co.uk/