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Need Expert Help for a Gift

I am not sure I am on the right board, but please direct me if I am not, I am new at this.

Hi All,
My husband is a HUGE audiophile, and spent more than I care to admit on equipment for our home entertainment system. I would like to purchase a docking station for the new IPOD Nano 16gb device (which is also part of the gift), but I am confused, since there are so many docking stations out there, and I could not possibly buy something he would think is inferior. Any advice would be appreciated. Specs you may need:

Onkyo Receiver (TX-NR905 bought last year)
Some ridiculously expensive speakers that sound the same to me as the ones you buy at Best Buy (but don't tell him that)

Additionally, I have read some reviews on docking stations, and it seems they require better cabling than the ones that come with it, so any additional cabling that might be suggested or required is really helpful!

Thank you for helping the non-audiophile!
kzb
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Hello Dear!

That is awfully sweet of you to buy me an IPOD nano. But I have a Denon receiver. Oh wait, you might not be my wife!

That whole "Some ridiculously expensive speakers that sound the same to me as the ones you buy at Best Buy (but don't tell him that)" line sounds really, really familiar.
;-)

(Your husband is a lucky man to have a wife who indulges him in his hobby! Good Luck to you!)

PS Sorry I can't help with the IPOD docking station, but being "an old fogey" audiophile, I am not into IPODs!
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
This is supposed to be the best one out there:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_727170I/Wadia-170iTransport-Silver.html?tp=238

It comes with a digital cable to run to the Onkyo. I would just go with that. If your husband wants a better cable, he will likely have a favorite, so it is unwise to try to guess.

Good luck.
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
It appears that the silver model is out-of-stock at Crutchfield. They do have black. If this is okay, use them - they are great to deal with and have free shipping.

If you want silver, order here:

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/82178?gclid=CKvcl-DN3ZoCFR0SagodHm7P3A

They are good to deal with also.
oregon
807 posts
 
As an audiophile, he would be thrilled with the Wadia.
If you make a purchase, tell the retailer it's a gift and ask if there's a return policy, just in case...
The Wadia is about $300 and any audio fool would be tickled to have one. Especially from his loving wife!
Please make friends with my wife. Please!
markphd
667 posts
 
The Wadia ia a great unit that will be met with an audiophile's approval. In fact, I think he will be very impressed that you sourced out such a brand for him. Don't let him forget it because unless he's a cad, there should be a nice gift for you in the future because of it.

Of course, the danger of this is that he will want to upgrade his receiver to meet the standards of the Wadia and his ridiculously expensive speakers. By the way, out of curiosity, how much do you think speakers cost before they become ridiculously expensive?
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