Let's up the Ante...Your best $3,500 rig

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steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,522
edited March 2005 in 2 Channel Audio
Ok, you've got $3,500. A few rules: Everything must be new and at verifiable prices that are available to the general public. You have to pick (at a minimum):

1. 1 Source
2. Speakers
3. Amp/Integrated/Receiver (your preference)
4. Speaker cables, 1 set, 6ft minimum
5. Interconnects in sets applicable to your setup

This way you'll list a universally available system, that anyone could potentially put together at or below $3,500. Shipping/Tax not included.

Bring it on!
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited March 2005
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    Here's mine:

    AMP: Parasound Halo A23 or HCA-1500A...$850 at Audio Advisor
    PRE/DAC: Benchmark DAC1...$975 at Benchmark
    CD Transport: Cambridge Audio Azur 540C...$349 at Audio Advisor
    Speakers: Energy Connoisseur C-9...$1000 at "anywhere" (maple finish, of course)
    Interconnects: AudioQuest Coral 2 prs...$130 at HCM Audio
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Bedrock, 6ft pr...$141.98 at Audio Advisor
    Digital Cable: Signal Cable, 1mtr...$39 at Signal Cable

    Total: $3484.98, all brand spanking new, and you've got 2 headphone jacks off the DAC to boot!

    C'mon, whatcha got?? huh punk? If I put this stuff behind a black screen and brought you in the room to listen, you'd think there was $25 grand behind the curtain...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,080
    edited March 2005
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    Not gonna surprise anyone with this one I dont think ;)

    Speakers -

    1) Definitive Technology BP30 - $800.00 shipped, max

    Amps -

    2) ONE - B&K Reference 200.2 (Lows) - $800.00

    3) ONE - B&K Reference 125.2 (Highs) - $450.00

    Source -

    4) Cambridge Azur 640c - $530.00

    Preamp -

    5) B&K PT5 - $320.00

    Cables -

    6) 3 Pairs Of Signal Cable Analog II or XLR (depends on the possibilities of a y splitter) - $159.00

    7) 2 Pairs Of Signal Cable Ultra (double run) Speaker Cables - $227.00

    8) 3 Signal Cable Magic Power Cords, and an adaptor for the PT5 ($8) - $192.00

    Total - $3,478.00
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • pjdami
    pjdami Posts: 1,894
    edited March 2005
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    Spendor S5e speakers $1750
    Primaluna Prologue One integrated tube amp. $1095
    Rotel RCD-02 $499
    DH Labs BL1 and T14 wiring.

    Should come in right at $3,500.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited March 2005
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    Sid, Sid, Sid. $3500 and you're buying 2 amps? Have learned nothing young Skywalker?...LOL..just kidding brother, it is a free country after all.

    Pjdami--awesome choices, I look at those Spendor's ALOT.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,080
    edited March 2005
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    I like amps :p

    Amps and big speakers :p

    My goal in this hobby is not to find perfection...but more so...enjoyment mind you...

    I found something...I 'enjoy' - not going to break a chain for something more 'accurate' or anything when given a higher price bracket by any means

    PS: The large amp for the midbasses is there to compensate for the lack of subwoofer.

    I've heard what the BP10B can do, and its younger brother... the BP30 has a -3db response of 23hz...its an amazing piece of work...to me
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited March 2005
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    Originally posted by Zero
    For 3.5 grand, there are just too many possibilities…

    Build the system you would have...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2005
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    ASL AQ 1001 DT tube integrated amp (modded) - $1,700
    Njoeb Tjoeb tube CD player (modded) - $800
    Soliloquy 5.0 speakers - $1,000

    TOTAL - $3,500
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2005
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    $3500? On an audio system? Are you out of your freakin mind??

    OK, so now your wives are out of the room...

    1.2 SDA's $2K used
    Jolida 502 $800 used
    Toshiba 3960 modified $250
    Audioquest type IV speaker cable $50
    MIT interconnects $400 used

    Total $3500
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited March 2005
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    Originally posted by Early B.
    ASL AQ 1001 DT tube integrated amp (modded) - $1,700
    Njoeb Tjoeb tube CD player (modded) - $800
    Soliloquy 5.0 speakers - $1,000

    TOTAL - $3,500

    YOUR BUSTED mister, where's your cables?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited March 2005
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    Originally posted by madmax
    $3500? On an audio system? Are you out of your freakin mind??

    OK, so now your wives are out of the room...

    1.2 SDA's $2K used
    Jolida 502 $800 used
    Toshiba 3960 modified $250
    Audioquest type IV speaker cable $50
    MIT interconnects $400 used

    Total $3500

    eheheh.....MUST BE NEW. Drop and give me 20, then re-read the rules above. ;)
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2005
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    I'm too lazy to get exact figures for this gear but I know that I could get at least 10% off MSRP with a little negotiating plus the fact that none of this stuff is available via the internet.

    Rotel RA-1070 Integrated Stereo Amplifier - $1,199
    Rotel RCC-1055 CD Changer - $699
    Vienna Acoustics Bach - $1,500
    2 Signal Cable Magic Power Cords - $120
    Signal Cable Ultra Double Run - $110
    Signal Cable Analog 2 - $49

    Total = $3,677 less 10% off the Rotel gear ($190) = $3,487
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited March 2005
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    Originally posted by steveinaz
    eheheh.....MUST BE NEW. Drop and give me 20, then re-read the rules above. ;)

    I dropped and gave you 20 but I REFUSE TO BUY ANYTHING NEW EVER AGAIN!!! :)

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited March 2005
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    :D
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited March 2005
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    NHT T5 Evolution speakers
    NAD C372 integrated amp
    NAD C542 cd player
    NAD C422 tuner

    After normal 10 to 20% discounts you can realistically expect even from brick and mortor stores, that should leave you with enough money, a couple of hundred dollars for good, quality speaker wire and interconnect.

    Alternative option:
    Drop the NAD seperates and substitute a NAD T763 AV reciever and NAD T533 dvd player (which also does dvd audio). This set up would allow a simple move into a full 5.1 or 6.1 surround system by only getting 3 or 4 more NHT M5 and/or L5 speakers and certianly would be no slouch embarrasing itself on 2 channel music reproduction either.
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