Cost break down of hifi system


Hello, just curious on what you guys recommend for the cost breakdown of a hifi system ? I have heard a lot about 15%-20% for cables and roughly 30% on speakers. Right now I am in the middle of building my new system. I currently have pass labs xp-12 demo model and an x250.8 NIB from Reno Hifi. I got a hell of a deal at $13500 for both. I also got a very light demo pair of Dynaudio contour 60i for 25% off. Based off what I have given, could you guys give me a breakdown on what I should spend on source and cables ? I was leaning at the Cardas cyngus cables. For dacs I was looking at the all in one lumin t3 or an aurender n200 with the chord qutest dac. I am also debating which audioquest niagra to get, the 1200 or 3000 ? Seems the me the 1200 does everything.  I’m open to suggestions so please tell me if I am off track. I wanna get it right the first time. 

shtr74sims

Showing 2 responses by decooney

As others mentioned, It its worth mocking up the system and getting it up/running even if you have to try some loaner library cables from TheCableCo. If you plan to keep the XP12 longer term, while the Cardas Cygnus is not end-game for some Pass amp owners, you could do a lot worse if you must buy cables now. With your current investment, I’d do loaners, and listen for a while. Get a first baseline. Those DA-C 60i speakers have the separate mid and soft dome tweeter, so results really depends on what kind of room your are putting this in, are there soft or hard floors, hard walls, furniture all around or no furniture, reflections?, etc.

Some sources/DACs can be a crapshoot, and can be totally overrated, too costly, imo. Do you have anyone near you to borrow, or buy on on 60-day return policy. What if the system sounds too bright or too soft. Likely more bright with that preamp/amp pairing, however those speakers will soften it some You need that first baseline test to start from - - to figure out where things are "at". Same others are recommending above, otherwise you can get stuck with some stuff you may not want to keep if you go big-bang-all-at-once. Or, unless you want to over spend a lot more $... Reno HiFi knows of the proven stuff and you’ll pay notably more for it.

@shtr74sims I do feel like the Cardas cyngus is a good place to start for cables to, I can get them at a decent discount. It would be around 2600 on cyngus cables which is not to bad...

 

If it helps to share, I was fortunate to do some early factory beta-eval testing with Cardas on Cygnus, full loom Interconnects too. I was comparing old vs. new designs on different SS and Tube amplifier applications.  

As a 30+ year Cardas owner I’ve enjoyed the different designs. Cygnus will do fine for you particularly with your pre/amp setup. Not having to step up to Clear or Beyond, this is a safe start. You can resale Cygnus later no problem. If you must, just go up on the ICs between your DAC to your preamp. Run the rest with Cygnus, you’ll be fine. All-Cygnus 4-conductor design will be a safe bet.

A popular combo with your pre / amp setup, and good w/your speakers imo. The newer designs are more clear than older Cardas golden designs. You won’t need to second guess later if you proceed.