Please help me Assemble a New System

Derf

Hello all. New to the forum. I would like to spend about $5k on a new system. I have Polk 9000 sound bar at the moment but will sell that. Use will be mainly music, some HT. Recommendations? Thanks for your input.

Nightfall

If 10 people post in here you're going to get 10 different setups recommended to you. Such an open ended question.

Tubes? Solid state? Integrated? Separates? Bright? Analytical? Warm? Laid back? Vinyl? CD? SACD? Streaming? Files on a hard drive? How big is the room? WAF? House? Apartment? More I'm not thinking of?

ken brydson

Nightfall wrote: »

If 10 people post in here you're going to get 10 different setups recommended to you. Such an open ended question.

Tubes? Solid state? Integrated? Separates? Bright? Analytical? Warm? Laid back? Vinyl? CD? SACD? Streaming? Files on a hard drive? How big is the room? WAF? House? Apartment? More I'm not thinking of?

New vs used.../vintage

Nightfall

2 channel? 5.1? 7.1? Atmos? 4K?

lightman1

Such a subjective question ...

lightman1

Derf... a search gave you lead here. Follow us until you see the Wal-Mart sign. And then accept your fate......

Derf

Ok, I see I need to give a little more detail. In the early 90s while in college I had a pair of RTA 11T, hooked to a Pioneer AV receiver, with JVC CD player, JVC VCR, and Yamaha cassette deck, all picked up while overseas in the USMC . Wife made me sell speakers when we married--"too large for room." All other equipment also gone. Wife just passed away from ovarian cancer. Only age 49. We have a 14 year old daughter. Terrible disease--but I digress.

So I'm starting over, in many ways. Have always loved the sound of Polk and that is my speaker of choice. Signature S60, in walnut, looks like the speaker I want. Also, will want a center channel, which will be the S35. Must have a sub--which one? Surround speakers will not be added now, but would like flexibility to add later. When that happens they will have to be in ceiling, as room is living room and kitchen and dining room combined (open floor plan type home in SW FL).

So besides sub, audio equipment is main thing I need help with. Budget is also flexible, just want to stay under $10k all in with speakers, audio equip, cables, and whatever else needs to be added.

Room is 20 x 30. Tile floor with area rugs in living area and dining area. Have one of those big wall units that holds the TV now. I probably need to change that, or add a rack somewhere, as equipment would sit behind glass doors, and not a lot of ventilation.

Music sources would be CD and vinyl. Daughter is into the vinyl--all mine is long gone. She listens to alt rock, has my college days tastes. My music taste is broad, enjoy mostly contemporary jazz & classic rock. Video sources would be mostly streaming, DVDs would only be rented, I don't collect or buy movies.

I have no preference for tubes or solid state. Would like separates, just because I would like the extra available power a separate amp will provide. Also want new equipment.

I feel I should trust opinions on this forum since people here appreciate Polk speakers, just as I have for many years. If there are other sites I should read through or things I should read about, I will be happy to do that, too. Thanks again for any and all input.

vmaxer

First, very sorry about losing your wife, especially at the early age. I haven't heard the new speakers you want but others here have and they get very positive results.

@DSkip @cfrizz may be able to help you as well as several others.

Welcome and stick around.

Oh, and ignore @lightman1 ....... , Kiddin.

lightman1

vmaxer wrote: »

First, very sorry about losing your wife, especially at the early age. I haven't heard the new speakers you want but others here have and they get very positive results.

@DSkip @cfrizz may be able to help you as well as several others.

Welcome and stick around.

Oh, and ignore @lightman1 ....... , Kiddin.

Bite me, Max.
Deepest condolences, Derf.
The Signature series is a great sounding speaker line up. Pound for pound a good bargain.

Emlyn

Hi Derf. Check out SVS for subwoofers. https://www.svsound.com/

An SB-2000 would be my pick for music to go with the Signature S60 main speakers.

vmaxer

Agreed on SVS, love them.

Legender

Welcome to the site...and yes, we can certainly help you spend your money. My suggestion... is take your time and don't jump into anything. This is more a road to travel and not necessarily a destination. As you learn more about components, speakers and yes, even cables, you tend to want to gravitate upwards. Really consider what you want to use your system for and how good you really want it to sound.
Condolences on your loss, also.
And learn from others a bit further down the road than you. Enjoy the ride.

rpf65

Condolences for your loss.

If your going to start with a 3.1 system, and expand over time, I would recommend you go with a higher end AVR rather than separates. Getting an AVR with pre-outs is less expensive. The pre-outs will allow you to add an amp, and you get the latest formats for streaming videos and decoding BDs.

If you don't mind factory refurbished units, I would recommend this:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5011/marantz-sr5011-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

You have a pretty big room, so you need a capable sud, 2 would be better. You hould also know that sealed and ported subs sound different. Some people prefer one over the other for both music and movies.

Whichever you prefer I would look at SVS, HSU Research, Rythmik, and Power Sound Audio. All of these manufacturers sell directly over the net, make good products that are reasonably priced, and have great customer service. They all offer demo periods.

The BD player is easy, Oppo.

This is where I would start. I would get this part sounding the way you like, and then move on to the turn table and stand alone CD player a little later. People will be able to give you better advise on a turntable and cartridge combination once they know what's in the complete chain.

One last thing, you want to purchase a surge protector/power conditioner to protect your gear. Well worth the investment.

txcoastal1

First of all deepest condolences to you and your daughter.

Sounds like you and your daughter have a love for music, something at times you can share.

Not sure if space is available, but I would consider 2 systems, a moderate home theater system, and in another space a 2-channel system dedicated to music in a spare area and room....just some thought

[Deleted User]

Welcome,

condolences to you and yours. I can't imagine.

I'm make some assumptions: $5000 is a ballpark figure.
Your listening spot is 14 or so feet away. Ease of use
is a plus. Here goes!

$1300. (2) S60 and a S35
$2500. Parasound Halo integrated
$1500. (2) Hsu ULS15 MK2 subwoofers
$200. used OPPO 93/95

---

$5,500.00

Waiting for a sale would get the prices down. Going w/ one sub would
give you more $ to play with for cables, etc.

This should give you Food processor - belt sander loudness
at your seated position with 3-6 db dynamic head room.

Nightfall

Red, how is he going to run a center channel off a 2 channel integrated

[Deleted User]

Oops! back to Emo for me.
I was supposed to delete the S35.
I'm of the opinion that the HT end of things will
end up not being used as much...
The parasound has HT bypass, so if he wants to expand out later...

daddyjt

rpf65 wrote: »

...The BD player is easy, Oppo.

THIS may be the only part of your quest that will get a near unanimous "yes"....

I can't imagine the loss you have gone through. I applaud you for picking up the pieces and being strong for your daughter.

kharp1

Welcome and so sorry for your loss. Glad you're here.

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk Derf, and my deepest condolences for your loss.

I have been breaking in my new S60s for a couple of weeks and I absolutely love them. I liked them right out of the box, so I know you will enjoy them since they replaced my 27 year old RTA 8-Ts. Good old Polk sound and lots of it, great for both movies and music.

As for gear, you can go one of two ways. You can get a receiver with all the bells and whistles that you want it to have and add a dedicated amplifier to it. Get at least a 200wpc @ 8ohms amp. If you just plan to have one system to do both music and movies, get 5-7 channel amp. Or you can get an amp and a prepro that has all the bells and whistles you want it to have.

For a sub SVS all the way, a PB 2000 or two will rock quite nicely.

For a BR/DVD/CD player I also agree to go with Oppo.

For rack/stand, you need to decide if you up one that is vertical or horizontal.

For cables/speaker wire, I'm partial to Blue Jeans Cable, or you could go with Signal Cable.

You also need to tell us if you want all new gear or if you are willing to go used. If used, check out www.audiogon.com

The guys can give you more ideas as far as TT & tubes go, I'm strictly a solid state girl.

We love spending other peoples money, so give us more details and we will help you get started.

Derf

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and well wishes. Looks like I need to do a little more research to understand the differences between AVRs & prepros/amps, to help decide which way I want to go. I'll keep reading through this forum for tips. Also, I like seeing your setups in your signature areas--allows me to look up what you all have and continue to learn.

halo

Hello Derf & welcome to the forum.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Kharp is selling a very nice 2.1 Parasound preamp in the flea market. This would be a good piece to add as you can build around it for a dedicated 2-channel set up or a hybrid 2-Channel / HT setup.

The signature series has been getting rave reviews around here and if the Polk sound is what you're after it's hard to see you going with something else that will kill two birds with one stone the same way the SS will.

AVR's Achille's heel has always been that the technology gets outdated so fast. Spending big $$$$ on an AVR depends on what you want to get the most out of from this setup. Will it mainly be for music & partly for HT? 50/50? As you aren't looking for surrounds, I'm guessing you want better sound than just the TV speakers but you aren't necessarily looking for a full blown movie theater experience. A solid sub can really give you the movie theater experience at home. I would go for the TOTL SVS sub as that is, in my humble opinion, the biggest impact for HT/TV/streaming (well, you need a big screen TV or a projector with a big screen). Whatever AVR you decide to go with, please make sure it has preamp outputs for all channels as this will allow you to add power if need be later.

A whole house surge protector can be added to your electrical panel so you may want to look into that.

Marantz & OPPO seem to be the obvious choices for a solid streamer + disc player in one convenient package.

Good luck and I hope you and your daughter have some fun assembling a system that you'll both enjoy for many years to come.

Willow

Cables.... Cables..... Will somebody think of the cables?!

txcoastal1

I can concur with @halo, solid advice.
Also, don't be scared buying used gear around here. We have checks and balances.
We have our own local mob...you know Chicago style @tonyb and the number #1 hitman @cfrizz east coast chapter

We can also assist in hooking it up

dromunds

You save considerable clams purchasing "gently pre-touched" gear around here.

SamK

What kind of power do you want from your system?

scubalab

Derf - welcome to the forum! Lots of great advice here. I don't really have much to add other than in addition to the near unanimous vote you'll get for the Oppo player, you'll likely get near unanimous advice on SVS for a decent sub.

I think you've got a very nice budget to work with and depending on whether you're set on going all new, you could really build a nice system. I've built my HT and other audio setups almost entirely pre-owned and saved a substantial amount of money. Actually, rather, I was able to buy at another level going pre-owned on a set budget.

Dskip sounds like he's giving you some great advice. The folks around here are nothing but helpful (at both getting you to where you want to be AND spending your money!)

Also, my sincerest condolences on the passing of your wife.

[Deleted User]

I'm told @cfrizz has girl power coming from her system!

SamK wrote: »

What kind of power do you want from your system?

cfrizz

rednedtugent wrote: »

I'm told @cfrizz has girl power coming from her system!

SamK wrote: »

What kind of power do you want from your system?

LOL! Nope, just 405wpc of solid state power sent to 5 speakers!

cfrizz

And my hair as well Skipper!

kharp1

Is there anything more hot than a woman that's in to audio gear???