@ the OP. With your permission and after re reading your initial post I’m going to dare further trying to help. Pass Labs X1 Preamp, my rock to start with Excellent preamp but conceptually speaking and unless you have a preference for solid state and IME and other members on this forum you could follow the hybrid approach and match a tube preamp with any amp tube or solid state, the recommendation for an integrated also valid if budget is a constraint and you want to keep it simple. But IMO I would go tube preamp. Bryston 4B SST You said it plenty of power is best than limited power, quality matters too but in your case the Bryston is solid and good, if you like SS well Pass is amazing but at a higher cost.IIMO you can keep the Bryston for now Do I need a DAC? Oh yes you do, not a used old one, with DACs you need to keep up with the latest iterations, it is hard to find good used recent dacs in the used market and the price is sometimes more than what you will pay new. You don’t have to spend much on a good dac. The DAC subject IMO depends on the pre used, let me go a step back, you would want to use balanced interconnects whenever possible, not saying single ended is bad but if your equipment supports balanced then your DAC should support balanced as well. With dacs the power source is essential, good engineered dacs will work well with their stock power source, others good dacs which are cost effective will benefit from a good linear power supply, doesn’t mean the DAC is not well engineered just that to keep it cost effective the manufacturer couldn’t not supply the DAC with the best power, good transformers, EMI shielding, caps etc are expensive. Phono. I’ve realized that might be a big reason why people go to separates isn’t it? I’d like to hear some comments on this. If you have separates and no phono, what do you use? Stream music? CD’s? TT are great but you need extra budget and vinyl for this which you don’t have, I thinkyyou are better off streaming music, qobuz had a decreased pricing on their subscription model cheaper than Tidal better quality, Tidal is good too. You could stream from a PC to the DAC, I could provide you with more details if you are interested. but I know which albums I would buy so it is an option. I wouldn’t know a good phono if you hit me with it. Please recommend a few.
Good phonos are pieces of engineering, it will get expensive, not only the phono but the phono power supply, tonearm and cartridge, then the adjustment, then a good pre with phono stage, if you have the money absolutely if you are on a budget keep it digital or CD. BTW vinyl can be cheap but remember does cheap vinyl releases most of the time were created from sub digital recordings, if you like pink Floyd for example what you are getting with the latest pressings is not the original quality but digital mixes which have lost resolution, I have some English 3rd releases of pink Floyd and it gets expensive (and old so little scratch could be an issue), the sound is amazing better than digital IMO but at a higher cost. Some companies are collecting the original masters and creating vinyl presses from it (mofi) and these are better than the $15 releases but be ready to pay $40 to $70 or more. BTW the Florida expo have excellent vinyl setups if you are interested, there is a dealer in Deland which is an exhibitor and have 2 vinyl rooms there, he plays new vinyl from masters with different speakers, cartridges even mono (which sounds great) and he is a great person, very helpful, he has a cost effective room and a more upscaled one, his name is David http://www.alc-pro.com/
You all have heard more speakers than I ever have and will
but I want them to be used and costing much more when bought new.
Well if you attend the expo you will have a chance to hear many speakers and then you can buy these used after if you want. Some speakers will be discounted and if you shop around you might even get a floor sample but like you said the used market will be cheaper, this is really a personal thing. Apologies for the long reply hope it helps. |
Just noticed @moofoo reply, +1 I share his opinion on tubes and separates completely.
|
|
Thanks geof3, I actually almost bought a Parasound pre and amp! I will definitely keep a Parasound amp in mind if the Bryston doesn't work out! liamowen, it's posts like yours that make me want to venture into vinyl and I may at some point if streaming doesn't work for me. I think you have to like entire albums to get into vinyl. I like a few from start to finish I just don't now how many complete albums I like. luisma31 HELL YES! I am going to do just that! Thanks for telling me. I already feel like my budget is going to be shot to hell going there! arichison I played a pair of KEF LS50's using 100wpc and they didn't impress me. I will try to find ADS to give them a listen. moofoo so you are in my position of a new hobby late in years! I want to give tubes a try sometime in the future. I just don't know about their maintenance and if they give out enough power to get as loud as I like. I definitely will be looking into that. jburidan I have heard that from more than one person so you all have steered me away. I also heard B&W don't put out enough bass so that is a negative for me. I am looking at Klipsch Cornwalls and some other suggestions my fellow audio enthusiasts have recommended. It's the biggest deal in my audio system, so I need to get it right! Thanks and please keep up the posts everyone, you have been very helpful!!!!! |
Consider Bob Crites Cornscala floor speakers. Very efficient and a lot of speaker for under $2000. Reduces your power demand requirement. Forget vinyl for a while. Get a streaming DAC and stream Tidal with MQA. Something simple to use like a Lumin D2. Sell your preamp and buy a Pass Labs integrated Amp...something like the INT30A. Total value of the deal around $7,000 or less if you buy off Audigon.
|
Keep the Pass preamp, add a Pass XA30.5 amp, a pair of Proac D30R, an Aries Mini or a Bluenode 2i for your streaming and the best possible dac with the remaining money.
Mario |
consider an Innuos Zen Mini as your streamer (it can rip your CD’s to a hard drive) or possibly Wyred4sound streamer and also check out Schitt Audio. don’t use your computer as a streamer if you can avoid it,
Then sign up for Qobuz streaming service (better than Tidal) and finally a must have is Roon. The best music discovery and control app in the world.
i would also recommend Morrow Audio for all your cables. make sure to get the discount and they are exceptional VFM.
|
thinman2 I actually talked to Bob and he helped me with a pair of Heresey's upgrading the capacitors. I didn't know about Cornscala's I'll look at them. Mario thanks I'll look at the Pass XA30.5 and the streaming gear. That is definitely a possibility, as is the streaming gear recommendation. soma70 your post is very helpful to me. Thanks for that, I needed more recommendations on streaming gear. I had no idea where to start so thank you. Now I have some good recommendations on streaming gear I can research. As one of you put it, it's going to be time to stop reading and start listening to gear, so I will try to find out where to do that. Best Buy and the Expo are on my list!!! |
Everyone, I still get recommendations of selling my separates and buying an integrated. In the words of a speaker engineer I know of he said "I want to hear the smack of the singers lips when they start to sing, and the strike if a symbol as if it came out of thin air". I know I never will get even close to the $80,000 system he plays his speakers on, but I would like to hear that as close as I can get it. And from what I've heard from others, separates are the way to get there. |
If you are committed to the Pass Labs preamp then I second Mario. Post a wanted ad on Audigon for Pass XA30.5 amp. Should Pay about $2,500, add new Cornscala speakers, about $2,000 finished and delivered, Lumin streaming DAC, about $2,000, subscription to Tidal and you have a very wonderful sounding system. You are on budget at $6,500 plus what you spent for the preamp.
|
What about Cornwalls? Since I can't listen to Cornscalas, can someone who has hear the difference tell me how the Cornscala compares to Cornwall besides price? The Cornwall III is on special right now for 3k. thinman2 I will look into the Pass XA30.5, but I will be going from 300wpc to 30wpc and the type of speakers I choose will determine this change I think. |
Imabucfan, welcome to the ’Gon. I am about a 2 hour drive from you. You can read some of my posts. If you have interest, we can exchange phone numbers, and set up a time for you to come listen to my system, with you music selections ( my system is cd based ). You can PM me. Enjoy ! MrD. |
Thanks MrD. I have that trip to the Expo in Tampa coming up and I'll get ahold of you after that (unless you're on the way Jax-Tampa?). |
I am looking into Cornwalls. Can somebody weigh in? I've heard them before I had my sights set on an audiophile system and all I know is they are loud and fairly detailed. A great speaker I assume is like a computer, garbage in-garbage out. So in my quest to hear detailed music I hope I can get quality in-quality out. Are the Cornwalls worthy? |
I would not suggest any Klipsch speaker with solid state amps. They do much better with tubes. |
Thanks jsautter, why is that? and what is your recommended speaker?
Also, soma70 recommended the Innuos Zen Mini streamer. It has an internal DAC and accepts rca inputs. Is there a streamer that would use xlr cables or is that only between amp/preamp? Can the DAC be used for all inputs or just the streamer? I know this post is getting long in the tooth, but you all are helping me a lot, I really appreciate everything. I know ultimately it is my decision. but it will be a decision based on your knowledge and invaluable recommendations. Thank you!!!!!!!
|
Man, imagine the fun you could have with an 8K budget and buying used equipment as well! I will offer little advice that hasn't already been given, but just say I am envious and don't worry so much about mistakes that you might make. A lot of the joy of this hobby for me is in the auditioning of new/different equipment. |
I have digital but I am really a analog guy. As the Klipsch fans on this forum already know, I do not like Klipsch speakers. However I also believe that if a person likes a speaker then this is the correct speaker for this listener. With this in mind, the only thing I think Klipsch do well is play loud. With solid state amplification, you may be in for migraine city. The main advantage of horn designs is high efficiency so this type of design lends itself to tubes. In fact if a speaker reacts well to tube amplification I cant think of single reason not to use a tube amp.
I have never been able to live without an active preamp so I would discourage building a system without one. In terms of speakers you need to decide what is most important to you in terms of sonics and then determine the design. I think you need to narrow things down a bit and then perhaps I can help with the speakers. |
Speakers aside, I think I need to figure out how to implement a DAC, music streamer, headphone amp, and possibly my lifetime Sirius subscription into my system. I'm starting to visualize stacks of gear on my audio rack or lack of because of my budget. |
For digital, I would potentially try out Schiit Yggdrasil GS or Chord Qutest - both can be had for around $1,600 new. |
Thank you all for the relies!!! If anyone has a good suggestion for equipment on Audiogon or eBay that I could use please message me! I will consider this post closed since it is long and old, but feel free to post, I will be watching it!!! Thank you all very |
Imabucfan, obviously, you have gotten several relies ( replies, lol ), and please keep in mind, suggestions and recommendations, are generally made, based on what people like, for themselves. A thread that is in it's 3rd day, is not an old thread at all. I do not go to audio shows, anymore, as " I " do not find them informative, nor fun. But, for a person, such as yourself, definitely a good time to be had. I too, am here to help, when you are ready. |
You may as well forget the 8K budget. Go ahead and double that and you MIGHT be able to stay under. Good sound leads to a thirst for great sound. Six years ago I got in at 15K used, but vinyl was a must.
To save money without sacrificing sound quality be careful with the efficiency ratings of the speakers. Moderately powered amps give you sound quality without breaking the bank and are less likely to be bright. Speakers with powered subs allow for bass w/o having high powered amps.
|
I have a Bryston 300wpc so I am looking for the right speakers. I don't want to sacrifice sound quality and maximize what I put together. I was told the Pass X1 preamp doesn't have a sub output for my Klipsch powered sub! Thanks dentdog I need all the help I can get. I am going to go to some audio stores and the expo in Tampa so I hope I can find the right equipment for my budget! |
Thanks mrdecibel, I will be asking many questions once I feel I am going to buy or hookup equipment! |
|
I’m in Jacksonville also. There are several shop options to go to and listen to gear. Best Buy Magnolia Room, Hoyt Stereo, House of Stereo... They all provide different options at varying price points. Enjoy the search and don’t be afraid to dream. |
Starting with the Pass labs preamp is an awesome start!
so many options u can go with!
Don’t waste too much on a CD player, there is not a huge diff between mnay of them sound wise. I’ve been through a min of 20 CD players over the years, just go with a descent brand and save some $.
Amps are a huge choice, the Pass pre will be very good with almost all good amps, it will make a good amp great, or a basic amp sound better.
Check out the Odyssey Kismet+ monoblocks.
Gobs of great amps , have patience with audiogon, and wait for the amp(s) you want.
You ou have a good chunk of $ for an amazing system.
keep us informed.
cables I would go with those Belden from blue jeans, there great, or pop for better from Odyssey, those Groneberg rcas’ are amazing, but need a week or two to break in.
Pass pre! Nice!!!
an amazing start to a great system!
good luck.
you can buy a lot of amps, audition them, and sell for the same or maybe a bit more.
I went through so mnay amps over the years before finding my grails. The search and hunt is the best part!
keep us up to date on your purchases, it sounds like u know what your doing! |
Forgot;;;;;;
Be careful with the ebay website.
lots of scammers on eBay!
Be very careful w them.
|
acurus thank you. If I can find a Pass xa30.5 amp I will audition it. Class A but only 30wpc makes me feel like it will play clean but not loud. We shall see... dmbwire thanks for the audio store names, I google audio shop and get Best Buy and home theatre installers!!! arktithdeth thanks for the post, but I only know enough to be a little careless with my $ and I can't afford to choose wrong, I know my place in the audiophile world, and it's not very high up the ladder. I am hoping to take everyone's recommendations and try to get most of it right the first time, but I'm sure there are a lot of laughs from everyone about that statement! I just want to get the best sound I possibly can from my first components and do some tweaking along the way. It's just unreal how much some components go for. A set of speakers that cost three times my complete system! If it sounds like the band is playing in front of me, or as close as I can get, I will be completely satisfied until my time comes! |
Selling Pass and Bryston gear for something else is hogwash- keep that stuff, it’s excellent. you need a DAC because let’s face it, the majority of music played today is streamed and why not ?? Using Tidal etc it sounds great and you have access to the universe. You could start off with a cheap DAC like an audioquest dragonfly black and be well on your way-the dac will likely be one of the 1st things you replace anyhow so why spend a bunch + you can use it as a portable /headphone Dac when you upgrade- blow the rest of your loot on speakers- which are entirely dependent on personal preference and the type of music you listen to- I have enough used gear to open a hi Fi shop- my everyday setup is a moon 350p pre/dac - bryston 14b out to a pair of somewhat beat up BW 802s and a JL E112 sub. I have stuff from jbl,kliipsch, SF and even a pair of Revel ultimate gems - but I run the aforementioned set up because to me, that’s what working for my tastes at this time- your amp and pre are very good, now you need a dac & speakers and that’s where I would recommend you focus your efforts on. The $64,000 question is what type of music do you primarily listen to??
|
cavscout thanks for the post. And for reinforcing the Pass/Bryston. I bought those after many hours of research and reading reviews and recommendations. I have to start somewhere, and there aren't any audio stores that will be auditioning these older models. I was scolded by one poster about getting out and listening to gear, but the audio stores are using new gear, not the used gear I want to buy. In order to maximize my $ and audio quality I need to buy highly rated used gear. Some may argue, but that's how I feel. Getting this new gear will open up a wide range of music for me. Jazz, rock, easy listening. I will admit even at my age I do like to crank up Nirvana, but there is plenty of room for the Eagles, Aretha Franklin, Bach, and lots of jazz. I figured the Bryston at 300wpc will play just about anything I want at whatever volume suits me at the time. Everyone that gives me recommendations are helping me in a big way in deciding what gear to get, even if I don't end up getting exactly what I want because of the $. The media streamer will be a hard purchase, it seems the industry is still refining the technology. The speakers will be the fun part, and perhaps the audio expo in Tampa will be the defining moment for my choice, although as with the entire system, my budget will weigh on my decision. If anyone reading these posts thinks I am lucky to be buying a system at all, when you hit your retirement age is not the best time to be getting into audio. It's on my bucket list of things I'm going to do damn it, come hell or high water! |
I too am retired and loving it !! Long time audio fan with many audio systems over the years . I wouldn’t consider myself a audio perfectionist - but was a musician a long time ago so I know what I want my sound to be at an affordable budget for me. As for what I listen to it’s all over the place - Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays , Steely Dan, Chicago, Andrea Bocelli, Earth Wind and Fire, Brazilian Bossa Nova ( Marcos Valle, Ivan Lins, Elaine Elias ) , Rippingtons, Jeff Lorber - too much to mention. All CD’s I own and play through a bluetooth device. 2 years ago I bought most of my gear used - I wanted a simple system with clean tight sound on a very limited budget. I started with a used Emotiva XDA-1 Preamp / DAC , a used Parasound HCA MK1200 II Amp and a new Audioengine Bluetooth receiver. I plug all this into a Tripp Lite surge protector. My cables and wires are generic. For speakers I bought a new pair of the Polk Audio LSiM 705’s - I love the sound they produce - clean , not bright and tight bass. These might work for you and currently you can buy them direct from Polk Audio at 50% off ( wish I got in on this deal) . Hope this helps https://www.polkaudio.com/products/lsim705 Everyday for a couple hours I sit back and listen to this setup and am still thrilled how great it sounds - for me I couldn't be happier. Good luck with the search !! |
all in one (analog + digital):
Naim Audio Uniti Atom (about 3k)
phono preamp: Schiit Mani (about $150)
tt: Audio technica LP7 ($700)
MM cartridge: Nagaoka MP150 (about 250)
subwoofer: HSU research ULS 15 ($800) (600 watts RMS)
main speakers: JBL Studio 290 (1200 per pair)
You will still have money left over
|
I can not imagine listening to Klipsch with out having a tube amp. I’ve had Pass preamps and tube amps or Nelson Pass’ First Watt SIT 3 (tube sounds without the tubes) for low watts, Conrad Johnson for tubes or Triode Labs or Cary Audio as well for tubes. Your ears will thank you. I’ve been down this road as well. Private Message me if you like. |
From my 40 years in Audio I have found having Vacuum tubes in the mix is a Big plus. Bryson is decent ,good value but not the most musical amps out there.
there are great integrated amps that
may give more the the money such as a Pass Labs class A 60wpc integrated amp. Not knowing your speakers which
I put first onthe list. Sonicly if you want seperates a good solid state like a pass 250,and a good quality used Vacuum tube preamp creates great system synergy . Sometimes it is better just to buy a few good pieces and save fir a good sourse , even power cords wiring
is several $1000 fora decent system .
i am just going by my vast experiences
and having sold audio for years system synergy is important. |
Hoyt Stereo: (904) 247-9001
House of Stereo: (904) 642-6677
|
My $.02: keep the amp and preamp you have for now; spend as much of your budget as you can on good speakers. Spend as much time as you can trying out different speakers before you buy, as the the speaker is the biggest influence on sound, and sound preference is the most personal of choices.
Then build backwards from there with gear that works well with the speakers - i.e. an amp that controls bass well, etc., depending on the speakers, sources, etc.
BTW. Magnepans have amazing bass. It is not SPLs, which you can get from a subwoofer, but rather detailed, real bass sound.
The main point is, speakers are the biggest matter of preference and the most influential in the overall sound. So pick those first, all other gear being "interim," then slowly research and replace components to fit the speakers. Second most influential is source - lossless FLAC or CD being your best digital option. Then amp, then preamp.
Tweaks are a matter of managing your personality/compulsions as much as actually mattering in the sound. Some matter, many don't. YMMV.
|
imabucfan,
I have a mega system for your money if you go used:
Nuprime MCH-K38 amp $1250 (U)
Audible Illusions 3 preamp $925 (U) if NOT going analog
VMPS RM30, RM40 speakers $1800-2700 (U)
Modwright Sony 9000, 9100, 5400 CD/SACD player $1000-1500 (U)
Acoustic BBQ cables get the double version ICs $279 each (N)
Acoustic BBQ Duelund speaker cables $379 (N)
VPI Classic turntable/arm $1600-1900 (U)
Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge $500-600 (U)
Acoustic BBQ power cables $200 each (N)
The last 3 items only if going analog, you would need to get the AI 3A or 3B full function preamp then. $1200-2350 depending on which model (U) instead of the AI 3.
Everything in your system would be absolutely top drawer and sound great together. The AI preamps are tubed and last a LONG time and sound great--very clear and transparent. The phono section in an AI is the equal of most any separate up to $3000 of more.
The Nuprime amp can be bridge to 400 watts per channel at 8 ohms and has a very dynamic, detailed sound, with terrific bass.
VMPS speaker are no longer made, but I’ve owned at least 5 of them--I was a demonstrator for VMPS for 4 years because I asked Brian Cheney if I could be one. The speakers are that impressive. Very detailed, dynamic, transparent, with potent bass.
The Modwright CD players changed my thoughts on CD. They are VERY good sounding in all ways.
I’ve had the combo of analog things I recommended. Work great together and is very good sound for the money.
The BBQ cables are very good sounding with much texture and transparency.
Good luck,
Bob
|
I can describe my system built on used/vintage components to give you an idea what you can do for few thousand dollars with used equipment.
Speakers: Polk Audio SRS 1.2TL - Yes, Polk but it’s from Polk golden years and true monsters. Mine have almost been totally rebuilt with higher grade crossover components and tweeters than original. I built new crossovers with all new components. Cost maybe around $3000 with upgrades. Many think these speakers are about volume but their true strength is the sound quality and imaging (at all levels). I also have a sub and I would recommend something like an SVS SB-3000 if your room is big.
Amplification: Combridge Audio Azur 851W - This amp delivers 200 wpc in 8 ohms and 350 wpc in the 4. The SRS 1.2TL should be around 4 ohms after the crossover upgrade. Plenty of power. Biased towards class A but runs a bit hot though. Got mine used for about $1000. My original plan was to power the SRS 1.2TL with something like a pair of Parasound JC1 monoblocks or a single JC5. Until then the Azur 851W works just fine.
Preamp-DAC: NAD M51 - Smooth and natural sounding DAC that can be used a preamp. Plenty of inputs. Got mine for about $1000 two years ago and can probably be found for less today. I might have opted for the CA Azur 851N preamp/dac/streamer to match the power amp but like the NAD so much I don’t wan’t to bother.
Streaming: Chromcast Audio & Rasberry Pi with RoPieee image for Roon. Cost almost free. :)
I think what I have hoarded sounds pretty amazing but with $8000 you should be able to get components that are considered more "high-end" than mine. :)
The possibilities are endless! I’d focus on the speakers first. You should have plenty of options if you’re willing to spend $4000-$5000 on used speakers ..802 Nautilus maybe.. Have fun! |
I loved my B&W 804 Nautilus for a very long time and compared them with other speakers over the years. I did a trial on a pair of Tekton Double Impact speakers just to see what the fluff-up over Tekton was about. The 3K Tektons were a huge improvement over the 804s. I was so shocked and impressed with what Tekton was doing, I returned the DIs and purchased Ulfberhts. Those are out of your price range but I just wanted to relate this experience from a former, huge B&W fan. Tekton has a free trial period and will only require return freight. They are also extremely efficient and will certainly get loud if that's your thing. I built a Pass B1 Korg preamp and a F5 power amp. The Tektons love Pass too when fed from my turntable. After a long period of trial amplifiers/DACs/etc, for digital I chose a Lyngdorf integrated amp that includes an excellent internal DAC. So you would save the money for that. Just food for thought from my personal direct experience with this hardware. Not rumors on the internet. https://www.tektondesign.com https://lyngdorf.com/ |
As the Small Faces song says
" I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger "
Since you are starting from scratch I'd recommend a tube or hybrid integrated amp , you'll save a lot by not by not having to spend money on interconnects and power cords .
You have CD's and used ones are very cheap ,
CD players and their DAC chips have come a long way .
I don't recommend jumping into Vinyl at first , something you could get into if you really love spending time and money on your hobby .
As for speakers , I'd say read Audiogon forums ,
read older copies of The Absolute Sound and Stereophile .
I have Thiel speakers so check out the Thiel Owners audiogon forum .
Good Luck and Happy Listening
|
I'd work with what you already have and not sell anything, because you'll lose money. That said, in building any audio system (other than a headphone system) you need to start with your room: assess your room and pick speakers that effectively drive your room. Borrow speakers from dealers or friends if necessary to learn what works in your room. I can't tell you how many great components I've heard playing into great speakers that sound like crap because they were not suited to the room. For example, do you need to place speakers near or next to a wall? Larsen, certain Klipsch and other speakers work better in those locations. Don't pick B&W because of reputation. Find out if they drive your room. Once you've found your speakers, get an amp that will drive the speakers. Fortunately a Bryston will drive anything, so you are probably covered there, going backwards to the source component. But whatever you spend on the front end, it won't matter if your speakers don't sound good in your room, which is a much greater variable than the difference between amplifiers from Brand A and Brand B. |
Hi, your brain will hurt before this thread ends! So many opinions and a broad question. My thoughts:
1) you have a great pre amp; so stay with separates and wait on amp purchase until you know your speakers and have listened. It's easy to wrap your head around how speakers compare in any given environment than it is to find the right amp to speaker combination. So for that I like to hear advise and recommendations... I like a warm SS amp like my old Classe CA 2300 or the hybrid sound of the PS Audio BHK. I have not heard a lot of Pass but everyone seems to love them. $$
2) I have happily ripped my CD's, started streaming, and then bought a nice DAC and never looked back. Vinyl (to me!!!) is as much about the experience of choosing, cleaning and cueing up an album...and chilling and listening. Bad digital is bad, but it can get quite good (to me!).
3) I have both a PS Audio Direct Stream and an Auralic Vega G2. They sound great with my Roon Nucleus and separates. Again, vinyl looks and is cool and I keep thinking about it..but it would never be my core listening, just a fun thing to play with. (flame away!).
3) People love to trash B&W. I have had two sets of the original Nautilus 802's and they are awesome. I have auditioned all the successor 802's. Diamond versions (?3) and the newest. Somehow I think they got less smooth, more analytical sounding and less attractive.
But I like cars from the 60's. You can get the 802N's for a great deal I agree. I paid $4200 for mint ones two years ago. They can be very revealing, and love a warm environment (carpeted basement!) Mine are staying.
4) I also think the Revel Ultima 2's either the Studios or especially the Salons are a great used value. They are so smooth and calm and easy yet everything is there. But so many choices in speakers and how they look in the room etc. Ive been told pretty cabinets means less focus on the components but I think why not be beautiful as long as you like the sound? I did audition and pass on the most beautiful Italian ones...
5) a couple of years from now, when everything sounds perfect, audition some nice power cables or interconnects from the Cable Company. For a deposit and the price of shipping, its fun and educational. I did not want to believe it could make a big difference, but in my systems and to my ears, upgrading my main power cables (conditioner and amp) and interconnects (Two sets XLR), made significant improvements. They let you try the cables for two weeks, so easy to hear for yourself. Good Luck! Ken
|
bobd207s I hope my audio falls into place for me like it did for you! Being a musician must help a lot putting a good system together! cakyol I have seen lots of Naim and Shiit gear in upper level systems, I will look at that. jahatl513 I have had suggestions to use tubes "somewhere" in my system with Klipsch, does that mean either preamp, amp or DAC? audioman58 another vote for tubes and tweaking! I've been thinking about my Bryston and I may have done better with a class A, but I was trying to stay within my budget. My first mistake? dmbwire thanks for tht info, I will be seeing them real soon! I'm just concerned about them using new gear rather than used older gear, but I do have a lot of questions! jji666 thanks, I have heard that from many. I think I need to get the best pair I can get. There are so many options! Bass from a Magnapan? I'll have to give them an audition! Bob thanks for the gear recommendation. They are going on my list! hauxon thank you, more for my list. I have considered the Nautilus but first I've heard about Polk. I'll watch for them. bullitt5094 that's another recommendation for Tektons! I might see them at the expo! vair68robert Younger is wishful thinking! Another tube recommendation. I have to figure out the best way to do that. I would hate to sell my Pass X1. It seems to be either tubes or class A, I really need to educate myself about the difference in sound. Maybe incorporate both? Thiel on my list! vinylrestingplace that is definitely something I don't look forward to, deciding I want to try another amp, selling what I have, buying the next thing. I wonder which is the best way to go, refining the best amp/preamp or buy the best speakers and get gear to drive them. I've heard both from several people and it's an interesting question indeed! fastfreight great post, thanks! You touched on areas I have lingering questions about. Even the carpet, I have wood flooring so that is something to consider. I agree, I think I'll use the Pass preamp until I decide the Bryston, although it will drive almost any speaker, may not be musical enough for me. As a speaker engineer put it, "I want to hear the smack of a singer's lips when they start to sing, and a symbol strike as if out of thin air". I don't know if my system will ever get that good, but the quest is on!!! |
I couldn't agree more with the advice to go out and hear some gear yourself, with music you're very familiar with. I took a quick look, and there are some brick and mortar places in Jacksonville. The BestBuy at
9930 Southside Blvd has a Magnolia store inside. Magnolia was an independent HiFi shop in the Pacific Northwest that was bought by BestBuy a few years ago. They have stores inside a few select BestBuy locations, and carry B&W as well as Martin Logan and McIntosh gear plus others.
I see a couple others: Hoyt Stereo carries B&W, and House of Stereo might also be a place to try. |
With this amount of opinions you can pretty much do anything and youll be fine . |
Lol! True davekayc! What I am looking for in these posts are multiple recommendations for an amp/preamp/digital gear/speakers. If I get multiple recommendations from these audio loving good people I know to take a hard look at it. An example is people recommending tube amps. I don't know the maintenance involved (tube replacement) and cost, but if that is the best way to a great system, will play loud and clean, I will definitely be considering it. Class A amps is another option. Speakers will be my choice and the best I can find. Digital equipment scares me, I want a media player not a wireless player, and I'm hoping to incorporate a DAC/headphone amp/cd player/cd ripper or as much as I can into one player. It seems to me the technology is really ramping up on this gear. The Innous Zen MK3 and the Bluesound Vault seem to be the most popular. Thanks to everyone, these posts are helping me a great deal!!! |
Your post reminds me of my re-entry into hifi about twelve years ago, and I'd hope you wouldn't repeat my mistake: since I lived in a backwater, I read everything and then spent tons experimenting and upgrading and downgrading. If I had it to do all over again, I would have first spent money to travel to a large city with several good hi-end dealers and auditioned speakers. While it is fact that ultimately what we all do is find a system that suits our listening rooms and tastes, speakers lock in the biggest chunk of what a system can do. I also would not require expensive speakers: I've been quite happy with Tannoy Revolution XT8 speakers that cost $2400/pr. new, some of the least expensive speakers I've owned.
I would say the next step is choosing solid state vs. tubes. The best system I ever owned used a tube preamp (Audio Research Reference 3) with a SS power amp (McIntosh MC-150); speakers were Sonus Faber Cermona Ms. Tubes give you flexibility in tailoring the sound after your purchase; changing tubes can radically change the sound.
A final remark: while I love vinyl and consider its unique sound irreplaceable, getting into vinyl would be the most expensive single choice you could make. Far more cost effective to get a CD player for your existing music and then add streaming, assuming your internet connection supports it and you don't mind messing with computer stuff.
Enjoy the journey!
|
I have more to add, now that I have some time. The VMPS speakers I mentioned are so good sounding and reviewed by experts that I put my speakers up for sale on Saturday last week, by Sunday had a full price offer and got another FP offer the next day from another. Upon listening to them for the first time since I bought my idea of the speakers I couldn't afford, but got a very good deal on, I was floored at the new ability they had since going through many cable changes in the 17 months with the dream speakers. The VMPS speakers are among the few that have amazing detail, great potent bass, and hopping dynamics, with a wide, deep soundstage, and can play at high volume, yet sound great at low volume. They are also adjustable in levels for the treble, mids and bass. The bass can be played with to sound anywhere from very tight to much more full and places in-between. So your room won't be such an issue by using a big, powerful speaker. The electronic combo I recommended has a great tube preamp, and powerful class D amp that absolutely will do what you want, allow you to hear all that is going on. You can take a bit of those who know a component or two and what they MAY do for the sound, but this is a very high chance of being way more system than you thought you could buy.
Hey, it's your money.
Bob
|
