Money $$ to burn on new system?

MajorC

I just got a little cash mad money that I need to spend right away. I'm sort of a novice when it comes to high
end stereo components. I have about $5,000.00+ to spend on a nice home audio setup. What would be your dream system at this price? I was maybe thinking tubes with Klipsch speakers. (I had some small ones in the 1980's)

I have a CD collection with no records and I'm just getting into downloading digital music on my iMac. Any
suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

halo71

Or maybe tube with Polk speakers?:cheesygrin:

Drenis

I would PM Vr3 and ask to buy his whole setup. That's what I would do if I had 5 grand.

Lietuvis91

Room size and listening habits would be useful to know. As in, do you prefer pleasant low volume listening of jazz/classical or are you a glass shattering rock concert level sound guy? Room size is important, because in a smaller room big speakers don't sound/image right. Not to mention pure esthetics, as in will you like big bulky speakers that will look like part of your furniture? Or do you want them to virtually disepear?

Just things to consider, since you are spending a pretty penny.

EDIT: Just realized ZERO already asked those questions, so yeah, what ZERO said.

thsmith

Zero wrote: »

My first recommendation would be to locate nearby hi-fi dealers (if you're lucky enough to have any in your region) and audition as many systems as possible. There is a lot of gear out there, so you'll never hear it all. But that's not really the point. The point is to figure out what kind of sound tickles your eardrums. Once you figure that out, it's simply a matter of choosing the gear that'll make the magic happen.

Anyways, in order to help us help - please answer the following questions:

- What genres of music do you frequently listen to?

- What volume levels do you generally listen at? Soft volumes? Loud volumes? Somewhere in between? All of the above?

- Do you plan on sitting your rear end in front of the system at all times, or are you looking for something that also sounds good when you walk around a room?

- Please take the time to tell us about your room, such as general room dimensions (H x W x L).

- Are you willing/able to position a speaker 3-4 ft away from a wall? Be it side walls or a back wall..

- And lastly, do you already have an idea on what kind of sound it is you're looking for? If so, please explain.


Alright. That about sums it up. Oh, and welcome to the fray.

Sage advise.

Leave some budget for room treatment, couple hundred if DIY or closer to $600 to a grand if you go with store bought.

steveinaz

Harbeth Compact 7es-3 Speakers...3500
Used Parasound HCA-1500A...500
Benchmark DAC used...500
Cambridge CDP (used as a transport)...500

That is what I would do with $5k. The DAC leaves you room to grow (multi-input) and will act as your pre for now. Note how 70% of the systems value is in speakers, that's not a mistake. The quickest way from point "A" to point "B" is a straight line, baby.

zingo

I'm all about Klipsch speakers, but which ones to get depends how much time you want to put into them. My favorite Klipsch speakers are the Heritage (and sudo-Heritage) speakers which use horn high and mid drivers. Put some good tubes behind the, and you've be loving music or movies at any volume.

VR3

anonymouse wrote: »

+1. Someone has already done all the thinking and research.

LOL!

Thanks guys!

polkfarmboy

Wyred 4 sound dac 2 (use it as a pre for now) $1500
Martin Logan vista speakers (less than half price)$2000
Wyred 4 sound ST-500 stereo amp $1500
http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/332077
http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/457975
http://store.audioholics.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=vista&gclid=CPiXoaTa3a0CFQHktgodaj01mA

tonyb

For such a general question, your recommendations will be all over the place. Maybe try and narrow it down with some more info like room size, listening habits, need wireless, HT or 2 channel or both, and so forth.
Since you are into computer music, a good dac is a must.

michael1947

I whole heartily agree with what Zero said first and followed by tonyb's comments and now follow up with "TWF). If you share your home with someone then that person will interface with your new system and if you plant a pair of SDA-SRS's or Maggies right in the middle of the living room then you may be in for some challenges. When you get these basics figured out these experienced folks on the forum will supply unlimited advise and start watching the for sale area as GOOD GEAR comes up all the time. And, Welcome to the club.

Obsession18

For speakers look into some trade-ins from Tyler Acoustics, thats what I did and couldn't be happier. I acquired a pair Linbrook Signature Systems from Ty that were only 9 months old that the original owner traded for Ty's Decade line. They were in perfect condition and the price was right.

steveinaz

You guys over-think this stuff---he said he wanted "stereo" (2-channel), and he had a collection of CD's, but would later consider computer music...ok, so he needs: CDP, DAC, Amp, Pre, Speakers. By using a DAC that is also a pre---you save. The DAC also allows for later computer integration to the system; and also provides a gateway for 2-channel HT integration.

2 birds, one stone; and a hella-nice system that would run with anything south of 10k.

tonyb

Maybe Steve, but we are looking at 5 different componants here and without a tad more info, it would only serve to confuse the OP on every suggestion thrown at him. Knowing if he somehow wants to incorporate HT into the mix is a big piece of the puzzle and would go along way in narrowing it all down. If he has room for floorstanders, or a preference for bookies and a sub. Does he need wireless ? Is the computer in the same room as the stereo ? Too many questions, too little info.

rebuy

It's so cool to see his one post about this and he sits back and watches you all argue with each other.

steveinaz

Hey, theres nothin but love on this side of the table. LOL

tonyb

rebuy wrote: »

It's so cool to see his one post about this and he sits back and watches you all argue with each other.

Who's argueing ? We are discussing....a bit different.

Loud & Clear

That's roughly what I paid for my speakers, integrated amp, and CD player. Getting a CD player that pleases you removes the need for a DAC, imo.

tonyb

Loud & Clear wrote: »

That's roughly what I paid for my speakers, integrated amp, and CD player. Getting a CD player that pleases you removes the need for a DAC, imo.

.......not if your running computer music to your system it doesn't. A good cdp is good for only that, cd's, what about other sources ?

Loud & Clear

I didn't realize he was going to require a DAC to utilize the downloaded music. Figured he's just burn to CD-R because that's what I've always done. I can see how a DAC would be useful, even a wireless DAC, if you're going directly from computer or music server to preamp.

madmax

I wonder what kind of interconnects and speaker cables he should choose?
madmax

steveinaz

hehehe...you are evil.

Loud & Clear

Wirelss transfer of signal must sound terrible without the interconnect wire to improve the soundstage width and depth, not to mention the pinpoint imaging ... and all of the other stuff they provide to the music. Man, I'll never try wireless.

tonyb

Loud & Clear wrote: »

Wirelss transfer of signal must sound terrible without the interconnect wire to improve the soundstage width and depth, not to mention the pinpoint imaging ... and all of the other stuff they provide to the music. Man, I'll never try wireless.

Maybe you just don't understand it enough to write it off so easily. The computer or music server sends a flac file, or other lossless file,by way of your router to a box that is connected with interconnects to a dac, which is connected with interconnects to a pre or avr. You still have the interconnects to adjust the sound to your tastes. What do you think is burned onto a cd ? Live music ? How do you think they copy millions of cd's ? Most everything you hear today is done digitaly, wireless lets you take that and spread it around your home effortlessly. Think about how you send files from a computer to your wireless laptop, same concept. Of coarse you could always hard wire it all if it's in the same room or run a long usb cable. IMHO anyway, anyone running music files straight out of a computer to a pre without a good dac in place is missing the boat in SQ.

MajorC

halo71 wrote: »

Or maybe tube with Polk speakers?:cheesygrin:

My bad! Yes, Polk has been good to me. Sorry. :redface:

lanchile

Well, before you get Klipsch speakers just listen to them for at least 1/2 straight..and if you do not get tire of their sound....just get them, I say this because Klipsch speakers are a little too bright (for most people). and for amp...I would not think about another brand in amp than Bryston.

inspiredsports

Spend a grand to a grand and a half or so on room treatments and enjoy the other half of your existing system.

Then take 6 months or so visiting websites and stereo shops researching what you want with your intellect and YOUR OWN ears.

Then come back here and TELL US the right answer.

michael1947

This is getting kind of interesting. $5k to spend, it's a burning a hole in my pocket. So there MajorC as you can C there are lots of options out there. On your Klipsch speakers, mighty fine speakers and I still have several but don't listen to them much anymore, just kind of got tired of 'em. I have found audio just like many avocations in that the deeper you delve into it the more complex and varied it gets. For my own peace of mind I have for now gotten into the Polk line of speakerage...love my new word. By keeping to just one manufacture I can narrow my focus and become more knowledgeable within that line knowing fully that I will not expose myself to other speaker manfactures and their wonderful products. There are about 1,000 speaker makers and they all make some great speakers so pick one and get to know them.

On DAC's. FLAC. wifi and i-things: these things will change and sometimes rapidly. Ever had an 8-track? I remember when they were the hot ticket. My first records were I believe made of bake-a-lite, very brittle and ran at 78rpm, then they got larger and ran slower, 33.3rpm then smaller and faster @45rpm. Good speakers, good power, up to date source. I am setting up my wifi to access my router via both Apple sharing via Apple-tv and windows media sharing to an AVR. I really don't really know why I am doing it because I feel each time you convert something you lose or modify the original source. It's just a novilty and kind of fun, I suppose and an attempt to keep up with the times. When I want to watch and listen to a movie I put in a Blue Ray and fire up the system and when I want to listen to music I put in a CD and let it go.

Answer up on the questions to you above and you will be blessed with terrific opinions. One last thing, I did pick up an I-pad last year and was all gung-ho, store all my music on it, download several remote control app's on it and control all of my gear with it and just have a good old time. Then I sat it down for a few weeks and forgot how to run it.

MajorC

Wow! Great responses and a whole lot of info to digest. I had to scoot out of town, so sorry for the delay in getting back to you guys. My room/library is rather cozy--about 18 X 18 feet with fair amount of book shelves and furniture. I would rather not go with bookshelf type speakers nor do I want 6ft towers either.

I listen to various types of music. I still like my Southern rock, Allman Brothers, etc but I'm currently playing a lot of acoustical guitar country/folk type music now. I have no need to crank anything up real loud. (been there done that)

Many responses advise a pre-amp. Is that a necessity on high end audio? Also, I would rather not go wireless on my new system. I have all that on my computer and TV set-up. I live in Columbia, SC and our only high fidelity stereo shop closed after 35 years. I travel to NC and North Florida and I'm about 4 hours from Atlanta if anyone knows of any stores in these areas.

And thanks to all, especially to those who took the time to post such lengthy replies.

PS: I do not want to incorporate a home theatre system. Straight up audio. This will be just for listening and relaxing.

txcoastal1

Welcome to CP
The advice on a preamp/amp or a nice integrated tube/solid state is that seperates rule over your typical box store receivers

Personally I would go out and get your ears on some gear maybe at a place like this
http://www.audioadvice.com/audio-video-brands/

Shop the internet on some reviews, and if you really want to stretch your budget don't rule out used gear, like a site like this. Audiogon also has a forum/learn section with good info also
http://app.audiogon.com/

There is so much out there it will make your head spin

Definitely keep us posted and good luck on your journey and welcome to the club

steveinaz

MajorC wrote: »

Many responses advise a pre-amp. Is that a necessity on high end audio?

You could go Integrated amp instead, but I like the idea of a (multi-input) DAC that is also a preamp because of the better quality, and the flexibility of a multi-input DAC. A good DAC allows to get by with a lesser CD transport; and allows later integration of video/audio, your satellite box audio, etc, etc. Plus, if you decide later you want a dedicated pre, you simply run the DAC in "line-out" mode. No other component has this much flexibility.

My HD Sat box, BluRay, Squeezebox, and CD player are ALL routed thru my DAC---so all of these devices are benefitting from the DAC's superior digital/analog stages. Think of it like this; each device gets a dedicated Benchmark DAC at it's digital outputs. This approach not only saves you money, but turns otherwise mediocre components in to far more capable components--allowing you to dedicate more money to the most important component...SPEAKERS.

(Flame suit....ON) LOL