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Office stereo

Last year I installed two Moon North based systems at home and then, in a flash of guilt-induced generosity, gifted my Naim Uniti Atom + Harbeth P3ESR to my nephew. Meanwhile, at work, I had been making do with a tiny pair of antique Cambridge Soundwork speakers and a sub --- and the sub finally gave up on me after 25 years. I'd love to steal my gift back. Just kidding ... but that means I need your help.

Office is about 130-140 sq ft. Picture below. I have a couple of computers in there and can dedicate a Mac mini to streaming Qobuz. That's all I want by way of music source. 

I don't want bass (or to be precise, my neighbors won't want it). I want clear, neutral near-field listening at low volume. I'm not much into warmth or color. The more I think about it, the more I feel that the Naim Uniti Atom (+ Harbeths) would be a great reference point, though it might be slight overkill for such a small space.

What would you recommend by way of separates or integrated devices?

Using the Naim/Harbeth as a price reference point as well, I am thinking around $7500 in all, but I could be persuaded to budge .. preferably downward. Votes for the reference point also welcome. Thanks all.

 

 

debrajray
mahler123
3,991 posts
 

I once sank some dosh into a work office but in retrospect it was money poorly spent.  I had to listen at low volumes, and in the pre streaming era the office began to become cluttered with CD-Rs and the components.I couldn’t get decent FM reception in the building.

  The OP wants to stream.  I would actually just get a decent pair of powered speakers and call it a day.  Save the extra dosh to upgrade the home system where the money will make more of a difference 

g2the2nd
342 posts
 

+1 on thew Vantoo powered speakers. Amazing zound for their size and $.

parkergetdean
1,032 posts
 

to be fair, there are so many amps, this is a matter of taste. I'd be happy to know what you end up with.

phils3's avatar
phils3
2 posts
 

It’s way below your budget, but I love the Naim Mu-So unit in my office. For what amounts to 95%+ low level background listening i think it’s perfect. I stream Qobuz and internet radio all day. 

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your comments. I had a serious look at the new Wiim integrated amp (I had set up the Wiim dac + streamer for a not-very-picky friend and the sound was  great), and considered the Evo 150 as well . I think that just powered speakers with a streamer/dac or something  like the Naim Mu-So would also have worked. In the end, wimp that I am, I went back to the Naim Uniti Atom (I found a really good deal on a demo unit). So there’s my round trip. 

I would still love suggestions on speakers. The cast iron Jerns are intriguing... I hear mixed feedback on the Kef LS50W though they seem to be everywhere. I’ll think about the B&Ws as well. Thanks again.

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