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I'd love some help/opinions

I am brand new to the site and I am in audio geek heaven, even though I really don't know much of anything. I used to be a entry-fi nut and ended up with a set of AMC 2445 amps/ AV81HT pre and some Snell Type J IIIs. Well I'm at a point now where I can spend some more dough and I'd like to up the ante so to speak. I'm looking at either monoblocking a pair of Rotel 1080's or getting a Bryston 4B ST. I've heard the Bryston and its amazing, I love it and I'd love to build my system around one. Would the 1080's even be close to the 4B ST if they were monoblocked? I've got about $3500-$4000 to spend on a new amp/pre and speakers. I'd like to spend $1500 on the amp, $800 on the pre, and a $1200 on the speakers, with a little left over for cabling. I really love the Bryston, but would love a complimentary pre, or some good suggestions. I'd also like some speakers that sound stage very well. I've been scouring the site, but I seem to get more and more confused. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike.
mike_856
mike_856 OP
7 posts
 
What about Totem 1's or Pro-Ac response 1?
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
SO if I'm looking at spending $900-$1200 on a used pair of speakers that soundstage well and are good at resolving detail, am I going to find anything better than my Snell JIII's or would I just be spinning my wheels?

I'd like to spend $1500 on the amp, $800 on the pre

IMHO, budgeting close to double what you spend on the speaker for amplification is slightly unbalanced. Try spending about the same amount or more for the speakers. I think it will get you further. Speakers are where the rubber hits the road so to speak. Differences between speakers are usually more marked than between different types of SS electronics.

The drivers in most $1500 to $3000 retail speakers cost under $100 for each speaker and are mass produced by third parties for use in many designs. Above about $3000 retail the drivers tend to improve dramatically as the labour, cabinetry, shipping and other basic raw costs flatten out and more $ is available to use better drivers. Essentially a lot of the first $1500 in construction cost goes into cabinetry and elegant veneers/finishes, which are especially expensive/time consuming but have a large impact on the look of the speaker, the perceived quality and sales. A good cabinet is of course extremely important in speaker design as is the choice of crossover but as the saying goes "you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear".
mike_856 OP
7 posts
 
Ok, thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate it.

After looking around and expanding my price range a bit,
I've decided that I am now even more confused than before. I'm looking for somewhere to start. How about the ProAc 2.5 or Ref 8 sig? What about Audio Physic Spark or Yara? Totem Mani's? Again I'm looking for resolution of detail and soundstaging. I will be playing CD's only. I also need a relatively small, narrow profile speaker to keep the wife happy. :) Thanks again!
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mike_856 OP
7 posts
 
Thanks for the response. But why would someone buy an ACTIVE speaker? Doesn't it limit your overall set of options when it comes to upgrades and finding the right sound? I think I have decided to go with the ProAc 150's. Thanks.
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