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Building a new system for about 5 grand

I haven't been a member here long, so forgive me if this is a repeat question.

If I have about $5000 and want to put together a quality system, where I do put the most money? I've heard speakers; others have said power source. Some say spend about equally on all components. I'd like to hear some direct answers to the question from Audiogon members (if you have to point me to an earlier forum, great).

A few things that might help:

1. My system is in a living room that is far from audio friendly. It measures about 18'x16', with some angles and openings, along with a large open area coming off one side and leading to the dining room (where I have my study). Wood floors, French doors with lots of glass about 5 feet behind the sofa, and no chance of making any adjustments (adding thick curtains, carpet or rugs, or eliminating all furniture apart from a chair and a small bourbon table).  

2. I have floor standing speakers now, and they fit the room fairly well. I'm not averse to bookshelf speakers on stands, though.

3. I play some vinyl and mostly cd's. That's not likely to change. A Bluesound streamer will likely be added down the road, but shouldn't figure in to the 5 grand limit.

4. I am willing to buy used, except perhaps the cd player (or sacd/cd), unless it's under about 3 years old. I worry about older units that have wear and won't have readily available parts. If I'm being too restrictive on this, please set me straight.

5. Our tv and Blue-ray player (on which I also play SACD's) are hooked up to my power source. I'm not at all interested in an AV receiver, surround sound, or adding a sub. Two speakers only.

6, and most important. I love listening to music; I love learning about, dreaming about, scheming about, audio. I love all the time I spending browsing on Audiogon. But I love my wife more. That directly addresses the price limit, the room set up, and the number of speakers.

Again, that first question about how to spend money is important to me, though a little puzzling. Spending more on speakers is my instinct at this point; I'm glad to be corrected.

Thanks.
anton99

Showing 1 response by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,305 posts
 
I agree about curbing expenditures on CD players; a decent transport can be had for not too much and more $$ can be spent on a good DAC, either external or as part of a preamp or integrated. I did this with a deal on a Cambridge CXC transport ($300) and an MHDT Orchid DAC ($1100, which also processes my streamer).

I'm presently shopping for speakers; there are tremendous values out there. It's not hard to find a $2500 speaker (new) for much less. The trick is to know what you like first, to avoid return shipping or re-sale. (How are your local options?) There are good direct companies that have pretty forgiving try-out policies.

Perhaps you're already set up for these things but... power, cables, wire, all matter. I shopped carefully and exclusively for used items -- Analysis Plus, mostly and Pangea for power -- and I got them for an average of 44% off list. 
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