$50k - $80k Budget…Opinions please.

All, thank you for the advice/opinions.

Kudos to room treatment, I’ve had GIK produce treatments for prior rooms.  Yeah, not sure what all the financial stuff is about…but I’m good, so is my long-term financial outlook.

It took me about 10 years and $40k-$50k of saving, buying, trading, saving, buying, trading and so on to build it.  I certainly will be focused on previously used gear, as I’ve got 0 desire to absorb depreciation.  Though, there are some pieces that rarely come up for sale, and I’ll be in a position to purchase them if it tickles my fancy…but may not be anyplace convenient to demo.  Just seeing if those combos suss out in this thread.

The room is approximately 35 by 15.  The prior owner had been using it as a wood shop.  It sits off the back of our garage, and I’ll be readdressing with rock wool, Green Glue, and tracking/decoupling system for the ceiling.  I’ll have a direct 20 amp ran, it’s a short run from the breaker…maybe 10 feet.  

Again…thank you all for the responses.  

I don’t think my financial situation is what I put up for discussion, and it’s a little beyond the scope. I’ve worked very, very, very hard and have lived/operated within my means. This really isn’t the forum to discuss why/how I will be in said position. Doing so, I believe, is called boasting. It’s a serious question, with serious sacrifice to be in a position to have such a luxury, again.

And if I must settle all of this, and give the entire community context, thought stating “family debt” was going to be ok, forgot some of ya’ll are Boomers and like to get into other folks business. I spent approx 10-12 years building that system. The soon to be ex mandated I sell it. Forward looking, it’s all good, I’ve got another great opportunity to build a better rig! Again, appreciate the insights and commentary.

@ghdprentice It’s a ribbing of sort. I have the utmost respect for those that sent their kids to college on GM and Coca-Cola stock. The financial advice offered is sound, and great for all seeking it. I’ve spent my life focusing on math, engineering and computer science, and well, “we good,” as they say. Now, retirement, or at the very least, 3 hours a day to listen would be an absolute blessing.

And if I bare a little more of my soul, it gives me something to focus on other than the dissolution of my marriage.

@perkadin I know, I don’t take these forums too serious, appreciate the condolences.  The truly fortunate benefactor, 2-channel. Haha, mistresses…we’re forgetting about “mristresses,” they like getting in the mix as well.  The used market is always a wise move and often my first goto.  Wow, 98 Carerra S, that’s one to still own!  

Again, appreciate the comments and the financial wisdom. As I executed upon rebuilding, I found myself in a layer of paralysis analysis. Like many, I don’t have an audio store or an easy way to demo/listen to all the various combos. All of the comments were appreciated.

I opted to start smaller with a sound I’m familiar with. I also became limited in placement and space, as I still have two very rambunctious young children. I moved forward with a Pass Labs X150.8, set of Dynaudio Heritage 40’s and a PS Audio Directstream DAC.

For pre, I’ve ran PL XP 20/22’s and at one point pulled it out of the chain, and went DAC direct to the amps. It sounded better w/o. I know the function of a pre, so it’s not to dispute using one or not, but I didn’t splurge on an expensive pre and believe this, along with a new DAC pursuit, will end up being the adventure/hobby aspect for me. During the interim, I picked up a PL X2.5.

Per cabling, let the fighting begin. I didn’t extend into expensive cabling. I opted to burn in some of the entry level Cardas lines, and move on from there. I do plan on spending time with the Cable Co. library of lenders.

Per streamer, I’m heavily leaning towards the Innuos Pulse, but haven’t pulled the trigger on it yet, I’ll be sleuthing the forum after this post on it.

Per room acoustics, I’m reusing a kit that was scoped by GIK for another room and will repurpose appropriately.

And also, what an absolute year it has been! So happy to be back in the 2ch mix! Thanks for the input and happy to be trolling again with ya’ll!

What a journey…

 

Speeding ahead 1 year and bringing this all up to date.  I’ve gone thru a few iterations of cabling, amps, pres, DACs, power conditioning, speakers, and streamers.

For the record, I’m big on buying used, even gear that’s 5/10 years old I’ll give it a shot.  I’ve spent the last year A/B’ing gear and moving forward.

I A/B’ed:

MSB Analog DAC w/Power Base vs. Aqua Acoustics La Scala MKII

Inakustik P3500AC vs. Shunyata Triton stack

Pass Labs XA60.5 vs. XA100.5 vs. X150.8

Coda fet 07x vs VTL 6.5 MKII

Innuos Pulse vs Aurender N10

Harbeth SLH5 XD vs Dynaudio Heritage Specials

I found the older MSB Analog DAC to be on par with the La Scala, subtle difference but nothing astounding.  

The Inakustik I found to impart a little bit of brightness into the sound, which wasn’t to my liking.

Both Innuous and Aurender have super buggy apps; SQ, I preferred the Aurender

The VTL + Pass combo has a pleasant relationship, and sounds great.  The Coda is SS, so not much of a comparision, though I didn’t prefer the synergy.

I’m a glutton for Harbeth, though the Dyn HS’es are definitely a special speaker, I was astounded by the bass from those little guys.  Preferred the HL5’s.

I had also began with lower level/entry cabling, I’ve since updated to an entire Shunyata power cabling/distribution.  Huge difference, snake-oil aside.  I tried out a few different IC’s and speaker cables, settled on the Kubala Sosna Temptation series.

I favor the PL .5 XA series, and currently run the XA100.5’s.  

This next iteration is going to be fun, on the way I have a set of Harbeth 40.3’s arriving and am slightly ruminating on these next acquisitions…though I’m fairly settled with them:

T+A P3100HV Pre

Playback Designs MPD6/MPS-X

Pass Labs XA160.8

 

@dpac996 I gave the PBD MPD8/6/MPD-X serious consideration, along with the Lampi Horizon with volume control, I’ve ran DAC direct to amps before, and with the correct combo sounds darn good. PBD or Lampi Horizon both, I bet, would fit that bill. I had been using an Aqua Ac LaScala, and really wanted to try the xHD + LinQ, which is what I ended up going with, as I got a smoking deal on the combo.

The T+A P3100HV has been settling in over the last week and I’m a little flabbergasted as to how good this pre sounds, along with the Aqua I2S chain. I’m sending out the LinQ to have the Tidal Module installed. I do want to listen to the PBD stack, but for now I’m letting this gear settle.

 

@westcoastaudiophile I’m looking at a set of Accuphase monoblocks right now, amongst others. I really want to try a set of Lamm monoblocks, but there isn’t a ton of info on them, and I do not believe they’d be a good match with Harbeth; 100W class A, but very sensitive to impedances. Was about to move on a set of PL XA160.8’s, but they were sold. I’ve been reading a bunch on the Plinium and Ypsilon amplification. Also keeping my eyes peeled for Aires Cerat amps and keeping a tab on a couple Gryphon amps.

Yeah, the latest Harbeth’s! The 40.3 XD’s showed up 2 weeks ago, then last week they announce the 40.5 XD’s…go figure.