I think I am getting somewhere! Yes, I spend days and evenings thinking and looking.
Two speakers at the top of my list (currently).
Elac: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1644221-REG/elac_ubr62_bk_uni_fi_2_0_ubr62_3_way.html
KEF LS Meta: KEF LS50 Meta (Titanium Grey) Bookshelf speakers at Crutchfield
Thinking I will drive it off a fully-loaded Ragnarok, which would then also allow for it to be connected to the new turntable.
Probably Technics turntable. Maybe a Rega.
I’ve been trying to find a pair of bookshelfs to upgrade my Triangles and I have the same two pairs bookmarked 
Let me know if you get to check out either one!
This is where I get confused. Why would you ask for advice about finding something aesthetically pleasing? What appeals to you, appeals to you.
There is no universally agreed upon “attractive” or even “aspirational”, so just buy what you like.
To one client, Maggies look like the 70’s crapped out a room divider. If their financial advisor had them in his office they would immediately conclude that he is stuck in the past, uninterested in development and to tread lightly in talking about risk profiles.
To another client, they are something different. You wouldn’t park an RV out front if you didn’t want to own one. You didn’t put up prints of artists you hate up.
So I think you’re really trying to say, “the way I want my office to look” and hiding it behind a faux client. In which case, we come back to “treat yourself”.
Because beauty has always been in the eye of the beholder.
The Metas will take and need more power and current imo then the Ragnarok will likely provide. Unless you are using them nearfield in a smaller room and plan on listening at lower volumes, then you might be fine. There are lots of better options for the Metas, if they are going to be used in a normal to larger space. I would look at an amp that has decent current numbers along with 85-100w per channel, again depending on your room @elliot .
Gotcha! Was thinking the LEAK Stereo 130 as another option.
Also, bit of a mess as we are redecorating but here’s the room. System would ideally live on the China cabinet.
I had a system in a similar layout. It’ll work, but it’ll be a little wonky. Ideally, you’d move the cabinet so the speaker were firing into the room length wise.
With all the caveats and stuff; Kef LS50 Meta and the Rag2 should be fine. (I know @MRHifiReviews just told you to feed them more power, but he gets confused sometimes about the difference between “will be fine” and “is optimal”. He’s right for optimal, but judging from the kids toys, I’m guessing it will be lower volumes anyway. Plus the Rag2 has a good preout selection to add more power later.
You could also look at the NAD C388/C368, or a Rotel A14, as both have digital inputs and phono inputs. The Cambridge CX81 is REALLY good for the money, but would require an outboard phono stage (which, I might point out, you could add for a grand total of less than the loaded Ragnarok2).
There is also the very well regarded Outlaw. I haven’t heard one in 10 years, but really enjoyed it the last time I did.
Totally open to a different direction on the amp, no issue. Just liked the idea of a solution for the speakers, turntable and maybe even headphone use. Not primary goal.
Are the Meta’s really a step up from the Elac? I can build around either.
I like the direction you are going for the Metas! I heard one of the Cambridge integrated amps that was very budget friendly and sounded quite good for the metas for not a lot of money.
Like @mfadio said Cambridge Audio could be a good option with the AXR100 for $600 bucks it is a great place to start for not a ton of money and solves your * dedicated phono stage for turntables with moving magnet cartridges**** need. I heard it with the Metas and for the money it will be enjoyable.
All three of those are fine on price, actually cheaper than the Schitt, so no issue at all.
The NAD C 368 seems to have a lot of integration.
My parents taught me that it went “Beauty is in the behind of the holder” but they have senses of humor.
I’m not asking for advice on something aesthetically pleasing. The .7i Maggie does in fact look like a Japanese screen. I have plants in the office, and can work out something that is so far from normal speakers that it will intrigue.
What I’m saying is that sound and audio are not a routine part of an advisor’s office. Artwork on the wall is. I don’t put a TV in my office suite anywhere - don’t want it tuned to Can’t Never Be Consistent financial news channel. Pubs for people waiting (usually they aren’t waiting, covid, appointments, ya know) are about Alzheimers’ charity (Edward Jones is a national sponsor), kid’s book, or something interesting like vacation mag or architecture. I keep the Barron’s etc. out of sight.
So IF I get something more conventional as a speaker, I want it to look unobtrusive and upscale. Right now I have my old Rectilinear XIs, tucked on either side of a cabinet, and they are often overlooked. They sort of appear to be furniture. They’re not permanent in the office.
Any conventional speaker should look either modern or richly-finished traditional. If modern, it needs to have a seriously upscale appearance, deep lacquer, well rubbed exotic wood, etc. I’m not trying to attract attention, but if it does, it should scream quality, not quantity or ostentation. That’s one reason I think bookshelf and not floor-standing.
Appearance aside, I work alone in my office much of the time, and I want to play music quietly. I find that a lot of dynamic range in the music is distracting, so no Mahler. Vocals, if intelligible are distracting. I’m OK with stuff in languages I don’t understand or Holst “Planets” like chorus. When I work alone I go from 16th century stuff - strings, harpsichord, to cool jazz, to electronica (The Orb, for example), salsa, world, and when I’m on coffee break, Bloomberg radio. Much as I love Jimi Hendrix, there will be few occasions where I’ll crank Purple Haze or his excellent cover of All Along the Watchtower.
I don’t know if I will end up needing a sub or a DWM (for Maggies) panel. I’m going to try without first, but keep my mind open. Ditto if I will need any room treatments - at the levels I’ll be listening, I suspect not.
Fact is, listening to headphones has spoiled me as far as wanting detail, or I’d probably be just fine with far less expensive equipment. Also, I tend to hang on to things for a good while. I’m old (I’ve been told) enough that I could file for Medicare. So maybe in 5, 8, or 10 years I will change my mind about retirement, and then I’d probably keep whatever I buy because it won’t be junk. And there’s always a room somewhere that could use some decent sound.
Have you seen the Triangle 40th anniversary? Talk about eye candy!
Sorta on my list as well but I think what I’m reading is they really need to be on stands. Two massive dogs and a baby make that a no-go in my home setting.
Yes you get the idea. But can they be auditioned?
There’s a resellers page on their site. One shop in Seattle supposedly carries them and I plan to call and ask. I’d say check it out and call whatever’s closest to you on the list. Worth a shot.
Your goals bring to mind some old comedy movie, perhaps Steve Martin’s Father of the Bride (1991). Whatever movie it was, the final third of the plot is a lengthy sequence of buying an expensive designer sofa at an auction for too much money, and then struggling mightily to get it home. All to impress the guests at the upcoming wedding/party. The buyer has vehicle problems, the sofa won’t fit through the door, etc., etc., etc. Upon finally succeeding the (wealthy) guests say “Oh look, they bought our old sofa.”
Many of your clients will have no interest or knowledge of audio, and those who do will mostly shop at Amazon, Best Buy, or Crutchfield. They are likely to own copper-coned Klipsch, or at the high end the Martin-Logan/McIntosh setups common at Magnolia.
Not to pick on those focused on self-promotion, but this woman stood out on LinkedIn for all the wrong reasons. I have no idea who she is and no relation. She uses hats for self-expression…but her pro photos (previously) looked extremely awkward. Her hat sat way up high and at an odd angle rather than worn as clothing…so her name stuck with me…not in a good way…
Lesson here: one can seriously overthink the impact of design and personal expression. This is why the default carpet color is beige, and all houses in planned communities come in 3 shades of neutral. This is why electronics are mostly black, occasionally silver, and then “misc.” It’s hard to hate bland, but very easy to hate distinct. Even after you decide, have several sets of fresh eyes look at it too.
And here I thought Crutchfield was a fine place. 
Crutchfield is totally fine. My comment pertained to the perceptions of mainstream office visitors.
I shop at Amazon and Crutchfield, and also appreciate Best Buy/Magnolia for local showrooms too. I bought my current ELAC Debut 6.2s only because of an absurdly low sale price on Amazon Prime day. I made a snap decision because they are also mainstream icons and well regarded. Upon testing they certainly outperform many competitors in their price bracket.
I’m using them to test setups and determine my preferences in higher price tiers. It’s been a long time since I last focused on speaker setups.
Yes Yes!!! I like it!! Not only that, but in most cases, the sound will be OFF!. So the guests can sit on chairs instead of the sofa! George Costanza meets Steve Martin and the Hat Lady!!!.
But it’s sound for me and decor for the office.
Yes, shop at Amazon. Like the Overture guy said, someone came in to buy Harbeth because it sounded good on YouTube.
For those following along, here’s where we are on the speakers side. As my first home system, I think this is a good start. My working theory is to get a really strong amp with headroom to be flexible enough to upgrade speakers down the line if so desired.
Elac Uni-Reference: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1644221-REG/elac_ubr62_bk_uni_fi_2_0_ubr62_3_way.html
For the electronics, I am a little farther from a reasonable decision.
For amp, considering NAD C 388, Rogue Sphinx 3, Marantz pm 8006, to name a few.
Could add a Schitt dac for those that don’t have an integrated for a decent price.
Phase two would include upgrading my turntable.
Considering Rega or Technics.
Open to feedback, as always, or personal experience.
If you want to futz about and go down more rabbit holes, consider vintage hi fi components. The glory days of 2 channel stereo were in the 1970s, and home theater was quite the fad in the 1990s to early 2000s. Today many people want invisible lifestyle systems and have no use for the old battle tanks. So, Craig’s List, thrift shops, and second-hand shops can have really cheap stuff with potential. Some are highly respected too. YMMV.
See past discussions below:
