Although I have major $’s invested in my analog system (well over $5K), I wouldn’t recommend starting with one, unless you have an extensive vinyl collection already.
Do you have a large CD collection? If not, pass on the CD player. Or rip your CDs and play them through an audio streamer.
Focus on speakers, integrated amp (w/FM tuner), an audio streamer, DAC and headphones.
For speakers, audition as many as you can. Preferably in YOUR apartment. You have already been given a lot of advice here. I’d recommend budgeting $1,500 - $2,000.
Integrated amp: going used gives you a lot of bang for your buck. I’m partial to Yamaha but Sony, Luxman and Accuphase can also be great value. Some models bundle in FM receivers and phono preamps as well, so if you do decide to dive into a vinyl rig at a later date, you won’t need to buy a separate phono pre. Budget: up to $1,300
Streamer vs audio PC: The choice between these two largely depends on your skillset and how much time you want to commit. A streamer is simply a specialized computer that is optimized for audio. Personally, I run a fan-less, small footprint PC connected to an external HD. The software I use is JRiver Media Centre 26. Budget: up to $1,000.
DAC: The expected resolution of the digital files you will stream will dictate the type of DAC. e.g. if you listen to MP3 vs CD rips (44.1kHz/16 bit) vs 96kHz/24bit vs DSD files. As with everything in audio, there are very vigorous (and passionate) debates on this subject. It’s a personal preference. There are lots of very good DACs to be found, used, for under $500 (Teac, Schiit, Topping, Bryston, Bel Canto, etc.). Budget: $500.
Headphones: Seeing as you live in an apartment, I would be remiss in not recommending headphones (for those times when you want to re-live that concert experience). Planar magnetic headphones represent very good value. HiFiMan HE-4xx, as an example, can be had, new, for $120. Of course, as with everything in audio, the sky is the limit. Whether or not you’ll also require a headphone DAC will depend on your choice of integrated amp or DAC. Some models have headphone amps built-in. Budget: $120 - $200
Hopefully something in the above mess I wrote is helpful to you in your search.
Happy hunting!
Do you have a large CD collection? If not, pass on the CD player. Or rip your CDs and play them through an audio streamer.
Focus on speakers, integrated amp (w/FM tuner), an audio streamer, DAC and headphones.
For speakers, audition as many as you can. Preferably in YOUR apartment. You have already been given a lot of advice here. I’d recommend budgeting $1,500 - $2,000.
Integrated amp: going used gives you a lot of bang for your buck. I’m partial to Yamaha but Sony, Luxman and Accuphase can also be great value. Some models bundle in FM receivers and phono preamps as well, so if you do decide to dive into a vinyl rig at a later date, you won’t need to buy a separate phono pre. Budget: up to $1,300
Streamer vs audio PC: The choice between these two largely depends on your skillset and how much time you want to commit. A streamer is simply a specialized computer that is optimized for audio. Personally, I run a fan-less, small footprint PC connected to an external HD. The software I use is JRiver Media Centre 26. Budget: up to $1,000.
DAC: The expected resolution of the digital files you will stream will dictate the type of DAC. e.g. if you listen to MP3 vs CD rips (44.1kHz/16 bit) vs 96kHz/24bit vs DSD files. As with everything in audio, there are very vigorous (and passionate) debates on this subject. It’s a personal preference. There are lots of very good DACs to be found, used, for under $500 (Teac, Schiit, Topping, Bryston, Bel Canto, etc.). Budget: $500.
Headphones: Seeing as you live in an apartment, I would be remiss in not recommending headphones (for those times when you want to re-live that concert experience). Planar magnetic headphones represent very good value. HiFiMan HE-4xx, as an example, can be had, new, for $120. Of course, as with everything in audio, the sky is the limit. Whether or not you’ll also require a headphone DAC will depend on your choice of integrated amp or DAC. Some models have headphone amps built-in. Budget: $120 - $200
Hopefully something in the above mess I wrote is helpful to you in your search.
Happy hunting!