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Complete newbie needing guidance/purchase advice

Hi folks-

First of all, let me apologize in advance for a lengthy post. I'm a brand new forum member after recently being introduced to this site by an acquaintance who heard I was looking for sound advice... As my thread title states, I'm completely ignorant when it comes to the audiophile world, but I really want to start building a system and learn something in the process. A little background on me: I've been making a living as a recording artist and studio musician for almost 20 years, but my career choice as a music-maker has somehow ironically detached me from the simple pleasure of just sitting and _listening_ to music for the sheer enjoyment of it. My wife and I are currently in the process of remodeling our bonus room into a media room, and one of my objectives is to at the very least turn it into a space where I can do some critical listening.

I currently don't have anything decent... Just some old Bose bookshelf speakers and a Yamaha surround receiver. The closest thing to 'something decent' that I own are a pair of Etymotic ER-4S headphones coupled with a Headroom headphone amplifier.

The big limiting factor is my budget. Given that fact, maybe I have no business posting here... I will probably need to build this piece-by-piece over time, so I'm content with having to stretch the process out. I'm not concerned with having to have the 'best' of anything; I would just really like to make listening to music an engaging and emotional experience for me like it was for me many years ago.

Would a speaker purchase be a good place to start? I was perusing the Audiogon classifieds today and saw that there is actually a pair of DK Designs LSA-2's for sale local to me. The asking price is at the top of my speaker budget, a little over a grand, which I realize is probably 'chump change' in the audiophile world. However, I've read some reviews and they seem mostly positive. Would be super-convenient to be able to find something nice that was used and local, but as I said before, I'm completely new to this. Another related question: Is it better to go with floor-standing speakers, or can decent sound also be accomplished with bookshelf speakers combined with a subwoofer?

Also, what are the other 'basic' components that would need to be purchased? The only other thing I know I'd love to have would be a decent turntable; I'd love to be able to go and purchase some of my favorite classic albums to listen to once again. Do I need a separate preamp and power amp combination? Are there any 'receivers' that do a decent job of covering both tasks?

Any other feedback or direction you experts could throw my way would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance!
renaissanceman9

Showing 2 responses by magfan

magfan
1,583 posts
 
Don't just 'buy speakers'.

Buy Speakers and amp...TOGETHER.

Of course, I'm skipping what some consider the most important part...the Source. Many would even start there.

If you buy speakers alone, you will lock yourself into an amp 'style' in that some speakers need lots of power....or an amp which can handle highly reactive loads. B&W come to mind as a speaker needing a robust amp.
Panel speakers like Magnepan need an amp with a good 4 ohm rating. Some speakers are simply happier with tubes .... some with SS.

LISTEN to them together before buying. Find a store in which to listen to stuff and get some professional help.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
When buying a new system from the 'newbie' level, you can either.....

1. Take a poll at any price point and buy someone elses system.

2. Listen to gear and find what YOU value and go for that in your choices.

I suspect you can, by following #2 get to 90% for 10%....IOW, get high value with few compromises without incurring debt into the next century. What price level? Depends...and depends. I like some very budget stuff. The audioengine speakers do some real right stuff. One of the T-amps if i liked high sensitivity speakers. Maybe one of the music server things.....I'd skip the CD player and leverage my PC or MAC.

Price goes up as bandwidth goes up....and if you want lots of bass in a large room, than Ante Up. For a small or nearfield system? You could bring it all in for a grand.....give or take.
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