Without sounding scolding I also agree that system building starts with speakers. They are really definitive in the way your system will sound. If I had to choose the non speaker parts I recommend buying the Music Hall gear. I bought my first "higher end" system over a dozen years ago and bought an MMF25 CD player. Post divorce I am listening to it now, no issues. In the end it is better to pick the gear that your speakers work best with.
a first integrated amp to build a system around
I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question but I can't find a better one. So here it goes...
I have done some research trying to find the best amp/speaker/cd combo to build my first system.
My requirements are
total system cost < $2000
phono input
amp with good DAC for iPod/computer input
disc player recognizes HDCDs
I have a list of components but have no idea how to start narrowing it down or finding the right pairings. I almost certainly cannot go out and listen to all of these so I need to narrow my options before I go out and start listening. Starting with an integrated amp seems like a reasonable thing to do. Can you help me make my lists shorter?
Here are my lists of components:
Integrated Amp:
NAD D 3020
PS Sprout
Outlaw RR2150
Music Hall a15.3
Speakers:
Emotiva Airmotiv 4s
Direct Acoustics Silent Speakers II
others?
Disc Player:
OPPO BDP 103
Music Hall c-dac15.3
I have done some research trying to find the best amp/speaker/cd combo to build my first system.
My requirements are
total system cost < $2000
phono input
amp with good DAC for iPod/computer input
disc player recognizes HDCDs
I have a list of components but have no idea how to start narrowing it down or finding the right pairings. I almost certainly cannot go out and listen to all of these so I need to narrow my options before I go out and start listening. Starting with an integrated amp seems like a reasonable thing to do. Can you help me make my lists shorter?
Here are my lists of components:
Integrated Amp:
NAD D 3020
PS Sprout
Outlaw RR2150
Music Hall a15.3
Speakers:
Emotiva Airmotiv 4s
Direct Acoustics Silent Speakers II
others?
Disc Player:
OPPO BDP 103
Music Hall c-dac15.3