Hey, when I was that age I had a little crystal radio with an earphone. The radio was shaped as a rocket and the tuner moved in and out of the nose. That was a neat way to listen to all those, now "vintage" 50's sounds on am radio.
Boy, then I graduated to a desktop GE clock radio and the parents console Magnavox "stereo". Now there's some vintage "audiophile" stuff! Regarding the Apt preamp, which I owned for 15+ years, it's a great piece with the "forbidden" tone controls, that were actually fun to play with. Soundstage was somewhat flat but otherwise a very neutral presentation. The reason I bring up the radio, is that I'm not sure your nephew wouldn't like to listen to the radio. Unless he has a big cd collection...Look at Cambridge Audio separates (which should keep him going through college) or an NAD reciever. Otherwise get the Apt preamp, amp and don't forget a tuner. Agree with the discussion on the speakers byn Sdcampbell.
Boy, then I graduated to a desktop GE clock radio and the parents console Magnavox "stereo". Now there's some vintage "audiophile" stuff! Regarding the Apt preamp, which I owned for 15+ years, it's a great piece with the "forbidden" tone controls, that were actually fun to play with. Soundstage was somewhat flat but otherwise a very neutral presentation. The reason I bring up the radio, is that I'm not sure your nephew wouldn't like to listen to the radio. Unless he has a big cd collection...Look at Cambridge Audio separates (which should keep him going through college) or an NAD reciever. Otherwise get the Apt preamp, amp and don't forget a tuner. Agree with the discussion on the speakers byn Sdcampbell.