Let’s get you started, do you currently own a system that you can build on or are you starting from ground zero?
As posted elsewhere, I just sold my entire 5.1 system (10 yo) with Marantz separates. Those previous purchases were not done with much care as I hate auditioning. 2 ch has so many options, I'm overwhelmed. I'm not able to upgrade at whim, so this purchase has to last me for a long time.
Over the last few years, several higher end stores have closed in my area, leaving just a couple still open, with limited choices. I love the new Luxmans appearance, but no joke, there are just one unit in my entire state (509x). The most prominent equipment is Mc, but I can't get past plastic knobs on units nearing 10k. I've spent months "auditioning on the internet" because it's easy.
I can buy some outstanding used equipment online without auditioning, or I can travel 1500 miles to a shop.
I just checked my lottery ticket...only got one number!
Last Audition - Blown Away By A Lottery System
I went into a local B&M store and did a quick listen to an integrated and speaker pair around 6K. I was just chatting with the sales guy, and I said thanks and was going to walk through the rest of the listening rooms. He volunteered to take me to another room that wasn't in use.
This room was sparsely populated with two systems, as opposed to the other room that had a dozen speakers and several dozen pieces of electronics. He streamed a song that I heard on the other system. Without knowing exact models of equipment:
Moon player
Moon pre
Moon mono blocks
Focal Utopia
cables & IC unknown
The sales guy is watching my expression, which is disbelief, and then starts quoting the prices which totaled $380K.
That is the most expensive stereo I've ever heard, and was floored at the amount and quality of the sound - a dream system for sure. Kind of gives me an insight to what some of you discuss here, but couldn't relate myself.
I'm screwed! My budget only allows $20k, and that's probably what the cables in that system cost.
I bought a lottery ticket on the way home. LOL.
This room was sparsely populated with two systems, as opposed to the other room that had a dozen speakers and several dozen pieces of electronics. He streamed a song that I heard on the other system. Without knowing exact models of equipment:
Moon player
Moon pre
Moon mono blocks
Focal Utopia
cables & IC unknown
The sales guy is watching my expression, which is disbelief, and then starts quoting the prices which totaled $380K.
That is the most expensive stereo I've ever heard, and was floored at the amount and quality of the sound - a dream system for sure. Kind of gives me an insight to what some of you discuss here, but couldn't relate myself.
I'm screwed! My budget only allows $20k, and that's probably what the cables in that system cost.
I bought a lottery ticket on the way home. LOL.