Help me spend $100,000 on a new system


I’ve recently been considering moving and downsizing my home. While exploring how much I might sell my house and land for, I was shocked that I might have an excess of $100,000 after selling and buying a smaller new home with less acreage. I’m 71 years old and can’t take it with me, so I’m trying to figure out how to spend that potential resource.

One possibility would be to purchase a new stereo system with all that cash. I would like to demo a system costing that much to see what sound quality you could get for a stupendous amount like that. But I don’t have any idea what brand/model components to look at. Perhaps you could suggest components you might consider if you were setting up a system at that price point. Also how would you budget the total amount per component including wiring.

I am not interested in adding streaming or anything else I might not already have to the system. I would be open to buying separates to replace any single component such as the integrated amplifier. Maybe a separate DAC, phono stage, preamp etc. Please tell me what you would do.

Following are the components I already have to upgrade. My system consists of Magico A3 speakers, a Luxman 507uX MK2 integrated amp, a Marantz Ruby KI CD/SACD player, A VPI Classic 2 turntable with a Fatboy tonearm and a Lyra Kleos cartridge. Wiring consists of Audioquest Rocket 88 speaker cables, and VPI house brand wires that connect to the tonearm. I forget the brands of the other wires and cables, but they are of similar quality to the above.

I also have a Shunyata Hydra Denali 4000 power conditioner with a Venom power cord (I think) that I will continue to use without upgrading.

I would welcome any of your suggestions and utilize them next time I go up to Washington DC to visit dealer showrooms for demos. Thank you much.

It does sound weird to consider spending that much on a system costing over three times what I paid for my first home, so I hope I’m not sounding uppity here.

Mike

 

 

skyscraper

@skyscraper , At age 71 and with associated age related overall hearing degradation, you are not going to do a whole lot better sonically with a 100k than what you already have (Magico, Luxman, VPI, etc). Pack/take all your current audio equipment with you to your downsized house, continue to enjoy it and give 50k to your kid or grandkid (might help him buy a house!).

Use the remaining 50k to remodel/acoustically treat/create a great acoustic space for placing equipment in the new house. This would be a much better upgrade sonically than buying the same thing in different chassis/packaging/etc and different wires (over and over...hoping for some sonic miracle).

I’d suggest spending some time in the Chicago area (or similar large market).  With a little planning you could knock out some great auditioning in a couple days to see what you like.  I’ve been able to listen to some great combos there such as Raidho & Absolare, Sonus Faber Stradivari & Boulder, Borresen & Aavik, Dali Kore & McIntosh, and Rockport/Estelon & Vitus Audio.

Nothing at all uppity about your question and if you spend a lot of time with your system, not a bad way to invest your gain. I take your point that you don't want to get into streaming, etc. so will try to give you some thoughts that are responsive to the question you asked.

if you like the magico sound the first thing I would consider is going up a rung in terms of quality while staying with Magico. Maybe consider investing in the S5, which I have heard and consider to be outstanding. That way, you are not taking a plunge into the unknown, you are getting a speaker that will be similar to what you have except more and better. I've recently had a similar experience with Sonos Faber. I had the Serafinos and first considered just moving up to Amati in the same line. This did produce a solid gain, but when I auditioned the next level up into the  reference line, the improvement in sound quality was exponential and for me was the best allocation of my upgrade budget.

that would still leave you with a good chunk of change to experiment with other upgrades, but I think you might find the biggest gain by focusing on the speakers first. after that, I would consider a high-end DAC. I have a DCS, which I like very much, but most everyone will probably endorse whatever brand they have. I think there are lots of good choices, and if you have a chance to visit some dealers, you can give yourself some options. 
you have a fun problem to solve. good luck!

Lol personally  I would look at top shelf used equipment.  100k will get you some of the best in the used market.  Personally  a set of canary grand reference  monoblocks  8 300b tubes in each one plus there top dog 4 box preamplifier.  Likely  keep your speakers and get a top of the range front end for at least one source  that is your favorite.  The  last is go way up the food Chain  for wire. 

 

You are  right you cannot  take it with you and if you get some enjoyment  out of it in your later years that is just wonderful.  The kids and grand kids can make there own money.  

 

Regards