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How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

Hello all,

I am just starting out in this HI-FI stuff and have a pretty modest budget (prospectively about 5K) for all. Any suggestions as to how funds should be distributed. At this stage, I have no interest in any analog components. Most notably, whether or not it is favorable to splurge on speakers and settle for less expensive components and upgrade later, or set a target price range and stick to it.

Thanks
krazeeyk

Showing 2 responses by whoaru99

whoaru99
98 posts
 
IMO there is nothing in the audio chain that will change the sound of a system more than the speakers.

The best electronics in the world will not make crappy speakers sound good.

My .02 is the most on speakers, maybe half, give or take a litte. Then, nearly as much on the amp/preamp/integrated amp.

Lastly, the digital source. No doubt this is blasphemy to some but the least amount needs to go here. I'd say not necessary to spend any more than say $500, and maybe less, on a digital source.

Really, to find out for myself, I have a Benchmark DAC1 on order and I'm going to put it against a $120 Pioneer DV-588A, a Denon DCD-1560, a Denon 2900, and a Music Hall MMF CD-25. If there is much difference in digital the Benchmark DAC1 should be clearly superior. We'll see....
whoaru99
98 posts
 
I'd certainly agree that top notch speakers should better when driven with good electronics.

I would love to sit in on a properly done ABX test comparing cheap, mediocre, and high-end gear to find out for myself just what, if any, differences there are. Funny thing is, when called to the carpet, most "pros" find some reason to not take the test. Wasn't there a big deal one time where some relatively famous golden eared people couldn't tell a lowly Yamaha receiver from a Pass amplifier setup?

A number of reviews have favorably compared the Benchmark DAC1 to units costing several times more - but there are tons of reviews that come to the same conclusion on any number of pieces, "Comparable to units costing much more." What does that really mean? My interpretation of it is (from the reviewer's perspective) "I think I hear a difference..."

Hey, don't take it the wrong way, if you have tons of disposable income, good for you. I have no problem with that. You are entitled to spend it any way you choose.

The only problem I have is when I hear stuff like "there is so much difference in component X once you get past Y dollars" passed off as fact instead of what it really is, opinion backed up by anecdotal evidence.
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