What to get freinds into on the cheap?


Just wondering what folks out there might suggest for our "normal" freinds who think that spending what they would on a automobile versus us who spend same on a system or a component.Maybe Acurus DIA 100 II for $250?A set of Rotel or Adcom seprates used or a NAD integrated?Would like to reccomend a Jolida set up so the difference between that and their current Onkyon reciever is night and day but even their your talking not $500 or less but more like $750 or more.Geting a dcent set of speakers for them sell themselves.Slap a mass market CD and innexpensive wires and maybe they will join our insane club or simply be satisfied and not settle for a Aiwa mini system.Electronics seem to be the problem since cheap digital has gotten pretty good (realtiveley speaking time wise i.e. the fisrt CD players were terrible)).A set of speakers can be had for a reasonable sum and one can even get "good" sound from a Polk or Infinity if not a better set you drag over with denser cabinets and better components.So what to reccomend?Just spend $30 for a Harmon Kardon 330i from 1978?What to give as gift or reccomend to the folkks whom think were nuts even those who have heard our systems that cost as much as their new Camry.The integrated or seprates on the cheap for me are the problem.Any ideas?
Chazzbo
chazzbo

Showing 1 response by audphile1

A good minisystem will usually suffice.

Separates....who cares.

What is the priority number one for these guys?
Ask them what matters most - the convenience of hanging a flat mininsystem on the wall(for instance), vs. the separates with each component being anywhere from 10lb to 20lb, requiring a bulky equipment stand plus the speakers that need a stand as well, wire that's hanging, etc....

then you'll have phone calls from these people asking you where the tone controls are because it is not enough bass and treble.
Then they'll be really unhappy to find out that music supposed to sound the way it was recorded and not the way they want to hear it.

So usually for these guys, a minisystem by B&O or Nakamichi is the perfect choice. That'll be the hi-end as far as most people are concerned.

Otherwise, leave it alone