System Summary
Ten individual submitted one or more systems for our $2000 Budget System Design Challange. In no particular order, the following is a list of individuals and suggested systems that participated in the design challenge.
Fred von Lohmann
System #1
KEF LS50 Wireless II -- regularly on sale for $1999
System Total: $1999
System #2 (speakers first)
Wharfdale Linton $1500, Wiim Amp Pro $380
System Total: $1880
System #3 (source first)
Loudspeakers: Elac Debut 3.0 db63 - $450
Peachtree GAN1 - $1200 (recertified)
Bluesound Node Nano - $240
System Total: $1890
"I figured for $2k, quality stands and cables can come later!"
Bernie Heeder
Loudspeakers: Bowers & Wilkins 607S3 Crutchfield $855 per Pair
Amplifier: NAD 316 BEE V2 Integrated Amp - $450
Streamer: Wiim Pro Plus Crutchfield - $219
Turntable System: Music Hall US-1 w/Audio Technica cart. ( AT3600L) $249
Cables:
• Cable Ethernet CAT6 10' Crutchfield Kordz Pro Slim - $17
• Cable RCA Interconnect Included with Wimm N/C - free
• Speaker Cables 10' Crutchfield - 2 @ $20 Each - $40
Optional: Monoprice speaker stands
System Total: $2686
Brian Moss
From Upscale
Loudspeakers: Klipsch RP600II - $649.00
Amplifier: Marantz PM6007 Integrated Amp - $699.00
CD Player: Marantz CD6007 - $599.00
Turntable System: Rega P1 Turntable - $595.00
System Total: $2542
From Amazon
Turntable: Fluance RT85 Amazon - $499.00
Marantz PM6007 - $699.00
Marantz CD6007 - $599.00
Klipsch RP600M - $329.00 (older model)
System Total: $2126
Stephen Scharf
System 1
Loudspeakers: GR-Research X-LS Encore kit build: $648 + $400 cabinets
Streamer: Wiim Amp Pro Streamer amp: $379
Cables:
• Shunyata V14 C7 NR PC: $350 (or Shunyata V14 C7 PC: $175)
• GR-Research 16-str speaker cables: 7ft $166 + spade connectors $39
System Total: $1982 w/ Shunyata V14 C7 NR PC
or: $1,807 w/ Shunyata V14 C7 PC
System 2
Loudspeakers: GR-Research LGK Kit $190 + LGK cabinet $300
Amplifier: Nelson Pass-designed Class A Amp Camp amp: $350
DAC/Preamp: Schiit Audio Syn DAC/Preamp $299 (no PC req’d)
Cables:
• Shunyata V14 C14 NR Power Cables for ACA: $350
• GR-Research 16-str speaker cables: 7ft $166 + spade connectors $39
• GR-Research Interconnects: 1M: $209
System Total: $1903.00
Gregory Morgan
Loudspeakers: Audioengine A5 Powered Bookshelf Speakers $399
Turntable System: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO w/ Sumiko Rainier Phono Cartridge $599
Streamer: WiiM Ultra Music Streamer, DAC & Preamp $329
Cables: AudioQuest 2m Golden Gate RCA Audio Cables $140
Accessories: Monolith by Monoprice Easel Style Speaker Stand, 24in $143 each (total $286)
System Total: $1951
Jim Bird
Loudspeakers: Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M II $650
Amplifier: Yamaha A-S301 Stereo integrated amplifier $350
Turntable: Audio-Technica LP-120XUSB - $ 379
Manual direct-drive turntable with USB output and built-in phono preamp
Streamer: WiiM Pro Streamer $149
Stream up to 24-bit/192 kHz music wirelessly or connected
Cables (from Blue Jeans)
Speaker Cables: Canare 4S11 with Banana plugs 8’ pair $113
Interconnects: RCA IC’s (x2 pair) BJC LC-2 Stereo Audio Cables $106
Network: Ethernet BJC C6AP $16-$30
Accessories: Kanto ST28 28” Universal Floor Speaker Stands $129
System Total: $1,906
Ori Mizrahi-Shalom
Reasonable:
Loudspeakers: KEF Q150 $300
Turntable System: Fluance RT82 Turntable, Ortofon OM10 Cartridge $300
Phono Preamp: iFi Zen Phono 3 $250
Amplifier: Oldchen/Gemtune integrated tube amplifier $375
Cables (phono to amp, speakers) $400
Accessories: Rockville 28" wood stands $125
System Total: $1350
Upgrades
Upgrade capacitors (amp, speakers) $50
Vibration control (phono, amp) $50
Tripp-Lite IS-500 $150
System Total w/Upgrades: $1600
Cheaper:
Loudspeakers: KEF Q150 $300
Turntable System: Fluance RT82 Turntable, Ortofon OM10 Cartridge $300
Phono Preamp: ArtDJ Pre II Phono $70
Amplifier: Oldchen/Gemtune integrated tube amplifier $375
Cables (phono to amp, speakers) $100
Accessories: Rockville 28" wood stands $125
System Total: $1270
Simplify with Fluance phono preamp (+$30) less interconnect (-$55)
Cartridge options: Nagaoka
Used:
Loudspeakers: KEF C1 $100
Turntable System: Rega P2, Shure M97xe cartridge $400
Phono Preamp: Phonomena II $120
Amplifier: Oldchen/Gemtune integrated tube amplifier $250
Cables: (phono to amp, speakers) $100
Accessories:
Rockville 28" wood stands $125
Upgrade capacitors (amp, speakers) $50
Vibration control (phono, amp) $50
Tripp-Lite IS-500 $150
System Total $1345
John Hughes
Loudspeakers: PSB Alpha T20 Tower - $875
Streamer/DAC: Marantz M1 HEOS Music Streamer - $989
Cables: Micca 14 Gauge Pure Copper Speaker Wire - $30-$50
System Total: ~$1914
Larry Gee (jazzfan)
Loudspeakers - Magnepan LRS+ ($995)
Subwoofer - SVS SB-1000 Pro ($599)
Amplifier - Fosi Audio ZA3 Balanced Stereo Amplifier ($149)
Streamer/DAC - WiiM Pro Plus ($219)
Cables - Various Cables and Interconnects – Blue Jeans or Monoprice (~$60)
• 14 AWG speaker wire
• Subwoofer cable
• Audio interconnects
System Total: $2,022
Sam Lehmer
Loudspeakers: ELAC Debut 3.0 B6.3 speakers - $450
Amplifier: 1. NAD C328 Integrated Amplifier w/ Phono Preamp + Bluetooth - $599
(NAD C338 the upgrade = $749)
Streamer: BlueSound NODE Streaming Music Player $349
Cables:
ELAC Sensible Speaker Cables $100. 10ft. pair
although I love John's Micca Pure Copper idea @ $50 !
Wireworld Oasis 10 Interconnect $160.
Accessories: Pangea Speaker Stands $150/ pair
System Total: $1808
w/Optional Subscription: Add 1 year Qobuz @$130
System Total: $1938