Work your way up or down for a new rig?

afterburnt

If the tax man is nice to me I will start putting together a dedicated 2 channel rig. The most expensive component will be the speakers. Should I try to start there or with a new transport, to see how it plays with the stuff I have now? What's gonna give me the biggest "wow" when I am done so it's not anticlimactic?

mikeyb128

I started with speakers, and built my gear around them, squeezed every ounce of performance I can get out of them. And it keeps coming, right when I think they can't get any better they do.

afterburnt

DSkip wrote: »

I think you start with the cornerstone pieces so you synergize around them. Whatever component you think will be in the rig longest is what you should target.

What are you planning on building around that you already have?

The N-6361's and the Emo monoblocsks seems like the way to go with a new transport. I have never used my Ushers with a decent player. And aa new preamp. However going for the Dancers first would be like yanking a bandaid off, since that is the most expensive. Part and probably the hardest to swing financially . last woulbe new monoblocsks.

kharp1

I could probably write a book here but I'll try and be brief. I started working with Skip about 10 months ago and he gave me some advice that I kind of took, but not really. I picked up a new sacd player that has a respectable dac and was very happy. I liked the sound from the Ushers and his recommendation was to get my ears on the MD2's and then go from there. I had, at the time, a Marsh a200s and was fairly happy with it. Then started a long procession of purchases that have proven to be something akin to wedging my head in a vice and having someone repeatedly beat on it with a hammer. I saw a good price on an amp I was interested in, I bought it. Then another, and another. A couple pair of bookies just because. A pre amp or two as well. Then came the endless hours of moving pieces in and out seeing what worked best with what. Oh, and the tubes...had to change tubes in several different pieces at least twice.

I told Skip earlier this week that I was kind of wore out, I've kind of reached an apathetic point where I just want it over. I'm tired from working 12 hr days nearly every day, I've been sick and I see myself as spinning my wheels which is slightly depressing. So, I think you're on the right place in putting it out there and asking opinions, because, I think it's important to have a clear objective defined and an equally clear path on how you would like to arrive. I realize that things come up and situations change, but, it's also important to not do what I did and get sidetracked.

Having said that, what I've done is been able to find a couple of good keepers and gained some knowledge and information along the way. I've also accumulated several pieces that now have to go. I tied up a little money and will not recoup all that I've put out, and, the time and effort as well. It's all a journey and passion for getting the best system in my home as possible, but, I also want to get to the point where I can sit in front of my system, turn it on and not think about what I can do to it next.

Now, come May at the LSAF when I get to hear the MD2's, I may find that the pieces I've purchased and think are set may not be a match with the speakers. Then. I have to start all over again.

I will say that the first purchase I made was the Marantz SA-14S1 and it's also the one piece that hasn't changed and probably wont.

afterburnt

@kharp1 I really loved the sound of the Usher N-6361 in my dungeon system so Skip told me if that was the sound that I liked he suggested the Dancers. He also told me what played well with them from his "ears-on" experience so he put together a system for me. Since I can't shell out all of the ducats at once I am going to get a little at a time. Like I said I love the N-6361's in my "Dungeon" system so I imagine I will be satisfied working with them as the pieces come in but I don't want to have to keep kicking the Dancers down the road forever.

voltz

Your are on the Right Track Bruce. Skip will get you there.

marvda1

this might be something to look at.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-usher-audio-ac-10-floor-standing-speaker-2017-02-12-speakers-92808-anaheim-ca

halo

marvda1 wrote: »

this might be something to look at.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-usher-audio-ac-10-floor-standing-speaker-2017-02-12-speakers-92808-anaheim-ca

Those sure are purdy! $400 to ship them is a little $teep but I can understand as, I'm sure, shipping them wouldn't be easy

[Deleted User]

$400 doesn't sound unreasonable. I shipped a guitar Monday UPS ground and it was $104 for a 14 lb package.