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Best $5,000 system for a small apt. in Stockholm

My sister is taking a new job in Stockholm starting next week. She will be living in a small apartment during the week, and commuting to Paris to be with her family on weekends.

Anyway, she needs a small system for music on those nights she'll be alone in Stockholm. She has been a professional musician (First Flute for NJ Symphony Orc. and a substitute flute/piccolo player for the Metropolitan Opera), so she has a keen ear.

Ideally the system should have the following characteristics:
* CD-based playback
* Small footprint
* An iPod dock
* stand-mounted 2-way speakers
* ability to work with different AC power standards (switchable power supply, for instance).

If it were for me, I'd probably get a Jadis Orchestra amp, some Green Mountain speakers, and a decent CD player and call it a day. But she can't/won't deal with tubes, altho she appreciates listening to my all-tube systems. Also she has no room for vinyl (and besides, I have all her LP's!!)

So I'm looking for recommendations for the best Solid State $5k system for a small apartment. Also I have no local knowledge of what great speakers might be available locally in Stockholm. But I'll probably get the electronics here and take them over to her.

I'm not looking for a who's who list of components. I'm looking for system synergies, something you've heard that sounds good together. For instance, what sounds great with a Naim Nait integrated, or a Creek Destiny amp, or whatever. Or the ideal one-box solution from Linn or Arcam or the best small Triangle or Reynaud systems you've heard.

Then I'll go shopping/listening & see if I can help her set it up. Don't know room size yet (she doesn't have an apartment yet). But this is a sector of the market I've never shopped so I can use all the help I can get!

Thanks in advance!
dfhaleycko
perrew
299 posts
 
I suggest Dynaudio Contour 1.4 can be had for 1650USD(used) and Primare CD31 1000USD(used) then you can choose an integrated either solid state or tube, the Krell 400xi can be had for 1650USD(used) all of these are found on Hifimagasinetdotcom . The speakers and cd are very nice IMHO
f1fanatic
150 posts
 
I wanna go...please...to be serious check out Russ Andrews(www.russandrews.com) across the pond. A friend moved to Germany some time ago and uses Russ for everything.

happy listening
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
Agree with Shadorne's recommendation for an insanely good used system. Have that setup at home.

For off the shelf new stuff:

Cambridge Audio 540 int amp, Cambridge Audio Magic DAC,
Wadia 170, iPod, a NAD CD, small Dynaudio Contours or DALI Lektors.
magnumpi205
504 posts
 
Heard the Guru set up at the RMAF.
Integrated amp, CD payer and speakers built to work together. No matching problems.
Exceptional sound for the money.
dfhaleycko OP
178 posts
 
Just wanted to update this thread...

I returned yesterday from Stockholm. I took the advice of several members on the board here and bought most of the system locally. My sister ended up with the following system:

Sources:
Musical Fidelity A5 CD player (used)
iPod dock (ugh)

Amplifier:
LFD Zero Mark IV integrated amp
LFD interconnects

Speakers
Locally sourced Sweden-only floorstanders (sounded fantastic with ribbon tweeters/dual 6" woofers in MTM configuration)

Should have taken pictures, but forgot. Setup was not straightforward given odd apartment dimensions, but we finally settled on an approach that worked.

Thanks to all for help.

If you ever get a chance to visit Stockholm, I highly recommend it! Some really great helpful audio retailers there, and almost everyone speaks exceptionally good and idiomatic English. Easy to be there (in the summer). Sun comes up at 4:30, sets after 10:00pm and the Swedes love to party!
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