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Home audio system recommendations

Hi

I hope I have this in the correct forum.

I’m new to this forum and returning to home audio after about a 35 year absence. I am looking to replace my very old system and would be interested in what your recommendations would be.

I enjoy a wide range of genres but primarily gravitate towards rock. About the only genres to do not care for is metal, hip hop/rap and opera and even in those genres I have found cuts that I like.

I was also a part time drummer for many years as well as a front of house audio engineer, that was good enough to freelance with a couple of the larger regional audio production companies in my area.

I am not a technician and have been out of the business now for about 12 years so a lot off the technical jargon is lost on me primarily because I have forgotten what it is.
I like what I call a rich sound. A modified flat, ear response curve with a little bump up in frequencies at 5K and up, a little bigger bump up at 100hz and down and dip in the in the 1K to 2K range. I also like it loud.

The only piece of high end audio equipment I’m familiar with is Magnepan. I love their clarity and accuracy but I’m not sure they can deliver the very low end that I’m looking for, at least not by them selves. I’ve also heard some Bowers & Wilkins that I’ve liked.

As far as amps and preamps I have no idea as to what I am doing. I have listened to a couple of McIntosh amps and I was not impressed. I thought they were rather thin sounding. I have also listened to a couple of Bel Canto amps, a Coda Technology and an Audio Research amp, all of which I thought were better than the McIntosh amps.

I do not know the models of any of the gear that I have listened to with the exception of the Bel Canto which was their current e series mono block amps with their e 3.7 DAC/Preamp. All other amps were integrated.

I would not call myself a purist. I’m just interested in good clean sound with some solid low end thump. Any recommendations?

Thanks

audiorusty

Showing 1 response by french_fries

french_fries
815 posts
 
If you want bass the Maggie's are NOT the way to go- building a system usually STARTS with the speakers... actually, always starts there.  Without a great amplifier to go with your great speaker choice
you're going to be disappointed with the results.  THEN you need to get the best CDP you can afford.  You can scrimp on a preamp if you find a great headphone amplifier or a CDP with a variable output (volume) control.  Wire comes last and power cords come after wire.
Power conditioners are not (relatively) important either.  
    Finally, your present room is 10 x 14 which is not very large, but you state you're considering other rooms for later.  This is no small matter and you have to make a decision about your future plans 
before you buy anything at all.  
    If you were going to do what I did (which is hardly good advice but it's the only thing i can talk about with any authority) is get an older pair of B&W speakers.  They kick ass and play nice and clean too.  Plus you can get something higher up the line by going back a few years.  And there are lots of examples out there both here and elsewhere.  Last but not least, best of luck.
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