Given the boxes already listed, this may or may not fit in with what you're looking for: NAD C 658. Room correction (Dirac Live - "lite") is due for release for that unit next month (June 2019). You'll need a power amp (or a couple of monoblocks) as the NAD C 658 is a pre / streamer and other stuff combined. Suggestions for power include NAD C 268 (can be 1x stereo or 2 bridged as monoblocks); NuPrime STA-9 (one or two, as per the C 268); PS Audio Stellar S300; Emotiva PA1; Nord Acoustics - various.

That sort of combi my stretch the budget just that bit too far if the KEF R3 speakers are definitely in the ball park of budget range. Speakers are so tricky but, just for fun, I'll throw in a couple of suggestions: Q Acoustics Concept 20 (below budget but punch well above their weight); ProAc Studio SM100; Response D2 (or D2R) (the ProAcs need a significantly higher budget).

Happy hunting!

 

$500 headphones + $500 on headphone amp and Bluetooth receiver + using your phone/IPod to stream music = $4000 still in the bank.

KEF LS50W might be a good choice for you. Sweet wireless speakers with the Bluetooth built in so you just stream content from your device and you’re done. Could add a small sub if needed but I’d listen first and then decide.

For my recent minimalist 2.0 setup I went with an Outlaw 2160 receiver, an Outlaw Bluetooth unit, Cambridge CD transport and Focal Aria 906 stand mounts. Around $2500 invested.

 

$500 headphones + $500 on headphone amp and Bluetooth receiver + using your phone/IPod to stream music = $4000 still in the bank.

KEF LS50W might be a good choice for you. Sweet wireless speakers with the Bluetooth built in so you just stream content from your device and you’re done. Could add a small sub if needed but I’d listen first and then decide.

For my recent minimalist 2.0 setup I went with an Outlaw 2160 receiver, an Outlaw Bluetooth unit, Cambridge CD transport and Focal Aria 906 stand mounts. Around $2500 invested.

My vote is the Focal Aria 906 speaker over Kef. I had two pairs of Kef and a Reference Series center, I have been using the JM Lab Focal Spectral 913.1 for a long time, Kef no comparison to Focal 900 series.

 

I assume when you are sitting by the window you are looking toward the door. So you'd have speakers by the desk on one side and the credenza on the other looking at you. You don't have a ton of room, so I'd be looking at an all in one integrated amp solution, or even powered speakers. With a 5k budget, I'd spend 50-70 percent on speakers. I have Salks, great investment. You don't need gobs of power in that small space, so I'd look at the songbird, for 1695. It's a small tower that plays with an F3 down to 38hz so you can go sans sub. It's not fairly sensitive so It'll take a bit of power to drive. I'd also checkout the Philharmonic BMR monitor. Plays down to 34 hz at 2595. He also sells a powered monitor that plays down to 40 hz. His website recommends 100 watts amplification for both those speakers. Anything over 100 watts is a waste in that small space and you'd probably do with 80 watts, maybe less.

Although in that listening space, I like the headphone option as well.

 

+1 on the Kef LS50w. Can't go wrong.

A different route if you want to tinker:

Odyssey Cyclops Integrated Amp
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 speakers
MHDT Orchid Dac
BlueSound Node 2i Streamer

I think that would leave around $1000 for stands and cables.

 

Naim Uniti Atom w/Klipsch Heresy III speakers. The Heresy III's are very room friendly and easy to run.

 

A room like that you should be very careful with the treble response.

I'd recommend something like the Buchardt S300's and integrated amp of your choice. It won't run you out of the room with brightness or overwhelm with boomy bass.

https://www.cnet.com/news/buchardts-1200-a-pair-speakers-are-a-steal/

 

Hi, I want to buy a new 2-channel system. I would listen to jazz mostly.

Another jazz lover! What about getting some tubes in the chain? How about this setup?

PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium integrated - ~$2300
https://www.primaluna-usa.com/prologue-premium-integrated

SimAudio Moon 280D Streaming DAC - ~$2300
https://simaudio.com/en/product/280d-streaming-dac/

KEF R300 ~ $1099
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...item/kefr300gb/kef-r300-r-series-6.5-bookshelf-speakers-gloss-black-pair/1.html

Skylan Speaker Stands
http://www.skylanstands.com/


Here's a review of the R300's and the reviewer is using PrimaLuna gear: https://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/

 

You have done already research on your own...

Speakers: KEF R3 speakers are excellent and to beat them you have to increase your budget. I recommend also looking at Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Sonus Faber Sonetto II.

Amplifier: You have chosen well already with MOON by simaudio Ace or Naim. You can look also into Linn or Copland amps. Though the Moon or Naim are offering a lot with all in one concept but if you are asking me I will go with all separates. If something goes wrong or you don't like something you can replace one component and this will improve/degrade sonic abilities of your system.

I will also look to build with smaller format components if the space is an issue. Also you may look to reconfigure your space to be more suitable for music and work.
Small format components are available by Schiit Audio. IE. you can start with Saga Pre-Amp and Vidar Power Amplifier, maybe add second Vidar later and bridge them. As for the DAC you can look at Chord Qutest or similar (my knowledge of the DAC's are limited). You just need one streamer and that will be all. For streamer look at Bluesound or Yamaha and for dirt cheap at the beginning you may use also Chromecast Audio, though discontinued, but still to be found and use their optical output to DAC. You may look down the road to upgrade your pre-amp if you do not like the sound as that will be weakest component mentioned.

Personally I think that Saga/Vidar combo sound-wise will beat the all-in-one solutions you have looked at.

Just for your info: I have listen to Devialet Expert amp and did not find justified the price nor the sonic qualities. It was connected to Devialet Phantom's as well as Monitor Audio and Focal speakers. For the look the Devialet combo was amazing but for the sound Focal's were much better.

While I am in Canada I also prefer local companies (MOON by Simaudio, PSB, Bryston, etc.) for the sake of warranty or even ability to drop off the component if something is wrong. Also to support local manufactures. Needles to say that PSB acquired NAD few years back, speak NAD is also under Canadian flag.

Hope this helps...

EDIT: Naim or MOON by Simaudio as well as Copland amp combined with Klipsch Heresy III speakers as someone mentioned above is also something to look at, though not for everyone's taste... for this I strongly suggest prior going somewhere and audition them.

 

If your looking for a speaker that's excellent for Jazz and would go very nicely w/your small room I would check out the Harbeth P3ESR. I'm always surprised Harbeth's are never mentioned. It would go w/both the Naim Atom or the Primaluna EVO 100 if you want tubes. Just add a Bluesound node w/the Primaluna for streaming.

 

I use a Naim Uniti Star with Dynaudio Contour 20s and the setup is sweet. Listened to jazz this morning and it was awesome. Sim is good too have heard their amps, but I prefer Naim personally.

I’m sure the Kef R3 will be an excellent match.

 

https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...ria-926-6.5-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-dark-walnut-pair/1.html#!specifications


https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...tem/yamrn803bl/yamaha-r-n803-2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-stereo-receiver/1.html


https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...alaria906dwa/focal-aria-906-6.5-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-dark-walnut-pair/1.html

 

I cannot find info on the Naim Uniti Atom, but it's like $3000. For a 5K budget, I would put more money on the speakers, ball part of the cost of a pair of speakers should be almost double of the amp, like if the speakers is $2000, the amp should be about $1200 or so. Speakers define the system, amp is just for bringing out the best of the speakers.

 

Speakers - Zu Omen Dirty Weekend - $1000
Amp - Jolida Fusion 3502 integrated tube amp - $1875
Cambridge Audio CXN V2 - $899

Good luck on your search!