Friend needs help


I have a close friend that wants to upgrade his stereo system.  He is old school and frugal.  Currently he has a Kenwood KA-501, which I bought in high school, many years ago, and gave to him after having it serviced.  He has Cerwin Vega speakers and B/W book shelves.  My question what would be a great integrated amp, with 3-5 inputs, a pre-out to add an amp down the road.  I am suggesting that he gets a WiiM Ultra streamer and get into the streaming game.  He is mostly a rock and roll guy.  He is leaving all of the decisions to me.  

speedysteve4

Good point, how often do tubes need/replaced ?  I had a tube amp in the day, great sound, but tubes were a pain.  Long time ago, maybe better today?

Thanks ES

@speedysteve4 

 

Would an Eversolo Play fit his needs?  I just bought one for my son as a house-warming gift.  I gave him one of my extra turntable and a pair of Klipsch speakers.   The Eversolo Play is a streaming amp with a Phono input, another input, and a Sub Out.  That would take care of your friend’s streaming needs, turntable needs, and a future CD player if he chooses.  Eversolo makes a version of the Play with a CD player, but I didn’t want to risk noise being introduced. 

 

A fantastic product for $699.  I got one on sale for $550.  It is basically idiot proof with tons of features including Room Correction. 

Tell your guy to get these speakers for around 2000 dollars...Tekton Epic 15

https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/full-towers/epic-15/#color

They sound better than speakers priced 20 times, 30 times more, etc.

There is no beating this Yamaha amp in the lower budget category either

Yamaha A-S801

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022AS801S/Yamaha-A-S801-Silver.html?tp=34948

 

 

 

would suggest he keeps what he has. On a tight budget will not be easy to beat the Kenwood.