Starter System Suggestions


My godson has graduated from college, gotten his first job and moved into an apartment with friends. He has asked me to help him put together a starter system. His room is a fairly large rectangle and the system will go on the long wall but pushed down toward one end. His dad (my best bud) has always had a good hifi (which I have helped him with) so, fortunately or no, he knows what good sounds like. His budget is around $2K for an integrated (with digital inputs, DAC but no phono--a headphone amp would be a bonus) and speakers. He is thinking bookshelves but could go with small floorstanders if they were within his price range. He likes speakers with a wide dispersion pattern and a slightly warm presentation. I am interested in your suggestions for synergistic combinations that meet his needs in terms of functionality. I am going to encourage him to follow the thread and maybe contribute so please keep the suggestions flowing. Some brands I've suggested he explore:

Speakers: Proac Tablettes, Nola Boxers, Gershman Sonograms, ATCs, Harbeth

Electronics: Peachtree, NAD, Rotel, Bel Canto

I haven't heard most of these nor do I know how well they would work together so please weigh on the models above as well as additional suggestions.

Many thanks.
dodgealum
Dodgealum, I'm very pleased with the Sonograms. They're spec'd out down to 28hz which is fairly low for speakers of this size/cost. They are balanced and have an excellent midrange which comes from the 2 inch Morel soft dome driver. My prior speakers were Wilson Audio Witt II's that I liked a lot, but felt were a little too large for the room. I bought these without an audition, just going on the reviews and comments found online.
I just put a new power cord on my amp that is making them sing even sweeter. Who knows how much more can be squeezed out of them with better equipment in the chain?! If I only had that Pass Labs X250 amp I should never have sold...
As you stated, they are an excellent value for the money.
REGA brioR integrated amp
REGA ApolloR CDP and or DAC as sources
REGA RS1 speakers
REGA ICs and speaker and power cables

Goliath killers for the money
google the reviews and better still a worthy audition
Have to agree with emotivapro.com. Stealth DC-1 DAC for $699.00 and a pair of Stealth 6 or 8 powered monitors. All brand new with a 5 year warranty and small enough to transport when he moves.

Pick up a pair of used stands and some new Mogami Neglex cables built to length needed.
Hey everybody, just wanted to introduce myself- I'm the lucky duck! Thanks for your recommendations. To clarify, I'm looking for something that will specifically sound good with the music from my computer that I have stored in lossless format as my primary music source. Thanks again!
Rotel + B&W = great entry level system.

Go with Kimber for cabling

Get a used REGA dac for the computer stuff.