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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 8 responses by toddnkaya

toddnkaya
493 posts
 
"Lastly, you don’t have to spend a fortune for really wonderful sound. My main system wasn’t cheap…but my winter system cost around a grand, and is incredibly satisfying. I can listen to it all day with a smile on my face. "
Awesome post Mano!!
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
You can get great speakers for $350 or less. I would look into Usher 520's. Factory direct, or used. I have heard great things about these speakers. There are many people here who are humble and knowledgeable and will help you on you way. I also enjoy the folks over on another site called AudioCircle too. Online mags are good resource as well,and fun! Tone audio, Enjoythemusic,Positive Feedback, 6Moons etc...
How big is the room? Do you own cd's?
I like the Oppo 980h cd player for pretty great sound under $150
Best of luck on your new journey!
Todd
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
I would recommend monitors on stands with a subwoofer. I have used a 2.1 system for 4 years or so. Because you are going to use your sytem for home theater, it is a nice option to turn up the sub for movies, You you can have some fun with explosions etc. Rattle the walls ,with a huge grin on your face. I enjoy my 42 plasma and 2.1 more than going out to the movies. MUCH CHEAPER obviously. I stream Net Flix, and have movies delivered as well. Some movies of course need to be enjoyed on the big screen, 3d,IMAX etc. , so I do go out for the special movies.
If you are really new to the audio world, you should inquire about streaming files from your computer right to your system.
Check out Spotify and Mog!! These are both music libraries that you can pay a monthly fee for to enjoy at your home,phone ipad, etc. Both of these services offer about 13 MILLION tracks!! I am excited to sit on my couch , and control my music selections from my IPAD and be able to listen to tens of thousands of albums. I will also be able to tap into my hard drive computer files to listen as well.
There are so many great , amazing ways to find,listen to and enjoy music today.
That said ,I would look pretty hard at the Daber Audio speakers for $650 shipped. This is screaming deal and a fine speaker.
NAD makes great inexpensive amps.
Good luck!!
Todd
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Renaissanceman9,
Moniors are stand-mounted speakers requiring the use of sturdy stands.
I think you are ok using your XBOX for now.
How much do you want to spend on an amp? Did you give your total budget for the entire system.?
Although it is awesome to go out to Audio dealers to listen to different systems, it is frowned upon to do this, find what you love, and buy it used here. That said, many people do this.
I have bought all of my gear here sight and sound unseen, and I have been super happy with every single puchase.
If you just do your research and ask questions and opinions,your good to go!!
Lastly, are you willing to stretch your speaker budget a bit. (say $1300)
Todd
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Stringreen, that's a load of crap! There are plenty of low budget amplifiers,and low budget speakers etc., that perform way above there price points. This combination can lead to VERY good sound, and bring tons of enjoyment to music lovers/audiophiles. I'm sure there are thousands of folks here on this site that would agree that you don't need $15,000 speakers, $20,000 amps, and 8,000 cd players to have a system that makes great sounding music and brings pleasure and enjoyment to their owners.
Todd
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
I think I found your speaker!! Lol...
Granted, there are probably hundreds of speakers that would work for you in the price range, and I don't really no sh*t
compared to 99% of the people on here.
Coincident Parcial Eclipse. On here now at a GREAT price. They go down to 30 Hz! They are 92 Db so you can run them with almost no watts.
Maybe others have experience with them and could chime in.
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Stringreen!, You don't get it I guess!! The OP never stated that he wanted a high dollar system .
My point to you before was ,you can create a GREAT sounding system with low to mid level components, and get tons of enjoyment from it.
I guess the thousands of us wallowing in junk low to midfi, should stop deluding ourselves that we are enjoying our music and sound from our stereo set ups.
Let's all throw out our collectivly junky lowfi systems to buy headphone set-ups ,until we can afford $15,000, and $8,000 dollar amps that we all "must" desire. Most of us will NEVER be able to afford components at this price level. Congrats on your maga dollar system. I'm sure you are reaping so much more pleasure from the sound and music,
than the rest of us.
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Stringreen, I am not screaming to you or at you. I am screaming at your condesending remarks about so called lowfi and midfi junk. First you tell him to save his money, just buy a headphone system, until he can afford the "good stuff".
In your next post,you say he should hold off from buying low budget amps and value oriented crap, to avoid wasting his money on updateitis and frustration. How about giving the OP some solid advice on a $2,000 speaker that would bring him listening pleasure, like Rebbi and all the other posters.
And finally on your pontificating comment "on stuff that people like you think makes music". This just shows that you are in fact an audio snob, who seeks to belittle the majority of us folks on here who own low to midfi systems and enjoy our sound and music.
Todd
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