System for a teenager

For something completely different:

I assume as a college student he already has a computer with CD-ROM and a reasonably large hard disk. Use the CD drive to rip music onto the computer's hard disk (store them at full 16 bit/44.1KHz resolution). There are any number of available programs to order and access the music. For output use an Apogee MiniDac (w/ the USB connection) into a pair of JBL LSR25P powered monitors.

This system would be very compact (great for dorm rooms) and simple to set up (uses only a single audio cable). The JBLs are near field pro monitors and don't require the space of a Vandersteen to be properly setup. The Apogee MiniDac is a substanially better converter than those used in sub $1,000 CD/DVD players. A computer hard disk makes an excellent CD transport. A 60Gb HD can hold about 85-100 CDs and you can always add additional HDs to expand.

A link to MiniDac info:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/prod_minidac.html

A link to JBL info:
http://www.jblpro.com/pages/recording/lsr25p.htm

The street cost of the Apogee and JBL is around $1,400.

I have a friend with this exact system, it is easy to set up and the price is just about what you are looking at, though there would be no remot control.

Meadowlark Kestrels (easy to ship)
Jolida 202 integrated 40 watts
Rotel 855 or 955 CD player
Signal Cable throughout

This could easily be had for less than 1500.00. I know you had the speakers figured out, but I just had to throw in my opinion, I am always amazed at what a simple excellent sounding system this is for such a low price.

By the way Albert, let us know what you come up with and how it works out!!! We'll be interested.

Oh - one other suggestion. Perhaps the yungin' should go listen to a few systems and tell you what is most important to him.

Albert, the Vandersteen 2's need about 50 watts per channel to play loudly. I am guessing 88 or 89 db efficiency. I have 2ce's and have driven them with an old ARC 70wpc tube amp with absolutely no problems, but have had vol. problems with a 30 watt Pass Aleph 3. Knowing teenagers they are going to want to show off to their friends by playing something loud, so you do not want to embarrass them here. So obviously you know much more about this stuff than me, but I would recommend something with a little juice. Such as....a Counterpoint SA-100 (used) for about 450 or less, or an old 100 watt class AB Forte amp (not the low power class A versions) for around the same price. These are sweet sounding amps and look you can get tubes in the counterpoint. As I have a SA-100 I can tell you the SA-100 and the vandersteens are a great match. However, I know of no CD/DVD with a volume control.....Perhaps Sony makes one as I have a sony cd with volume control in my office. Hmmm....how about a D/A with volume control...can't think of one of those either except Proceed, which prob. doesn't have enough gain to go very loud into an amp. Anyway, if you can find the Cd/DVD you can do it for way under budget and have a great system.

Albert--are you serious? Tubes for a teenager? Imagine if we used tubes when my friends and I were that age! LOTS of retubing!!!

I would get a decent used DVD-CDP and send it to Dan W. to install a tube circuit board (or mod an Ah!), get the kid a simple, decent and beefy SS integrated and some very efficient speakers...

POP UP THE VOLUME!!!