Budget of $30K. Help me build a system


Hi all,

I just got around to unpacking my Merlin VSM-M's from a few international moves and have decided to rebuild since I sold off a lot of my gear in those moves. I have a budget of about $30k. Will be setup in a pretty small room of 14x8

What remained was an Aragon 8003 and a Lexicon MC1. Not really an ideal setup for these speakers.

I'posted in "Speakers" because I am under the impression that is the component you start with and should build around. So looking at upgrade paths I've almost decided on the following:

Master VSM-MXM (sell my VSM-M) $13,600- $2k = $11,600
Ars Sonum Filamonia SJ ESM $4,300
Bryston BDP1 $2500
Bryston BDA1 $2500
Cardas Clear ~$3000
GIK Acoustic treatments $2000
Equitech Son of Q balanced power conditioner $2500
Hi-Fi Racks Podium Reference $2000

Which brings me to $30,400k.

Am I missing anything? Any concerns with the synergy of selected components or do you think they marry well?

Problem I have is I live in a location where I am limited to what I can audition in person. So a lot of this I will be buying deaf...which is not ideal. It also limits me to what I can buy used since there isn't much of a market here and with shipping and power issues doesn't make it cost effective in most cases.

Thanks for your advice.
blueshirt

Showing 1 response by bhobba

Yes room size is critical here.

However I did hear a speaker yesterday that I think would suit. In fact its the finest speaker I have ever heard - period - and believe me I have heard a lot.

I am lucky and live pretty close to a small speaker maker out my way here in Australia - Lenehan Audio - and so get to hear all of his stuff.

Anyway I was down there yesterday checking out some new amps I ordered from him which finally cleared Customs (god these things take a long time here in Aus) and he had this new all out speaker he was working on for a customer connected.

It blew me away. I can't listen to my speakers any more - these things are that awesome. If it wasn't for the fact I have an even wilder isobaric speaker on order I would get a pair straight away - a friend from Canberra was with me and was so impressed is probably getting a pair after hearing them. We were both simply blown away.

Anyway here is a link to the thread over here in Aus about them rather than simply repeat it here:
http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/46808-lenehan-ml-ii-reference-limited-edition/

Its a big ask to get a speaker unheard and from an small overseas maker at that. Although it is so new the exact price is not known but I am sure it is well under your $30K limit.

Thanks
Bill