Looking to build a system for under $5k


Hello,

I am brand new to audio and looking to put a system together for around/under $5k all in. Any recommendations?

This would be mainly for CD audio but expandable for phono in the future. I have a small bedroom that I am dedicating as a music room upstairs in a cape cod style home. So it has angled walls that follow the roof line.

Looking for components that offer the biggest bang for the buck. I've done some research over the last couple of months and it seems like the Vandersteen 1Ci might be a good cornerstone to design a system around.


Thanks,

Joe

audionoobie

Showing 3 responses by bradf

+1 for @charles1dad 
+1 for @strateahed 

entry level Pro Dynamics could be an optional choice to combine with the above reference Coincident Dynamo MK II amplifier.
http://tyleracoustics.com/pro_dynamics.html

Magnepan .7 or  1.7 could be an optional choice for the Odyssey Khartago
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/ 
Clearday cable may be the way to go, but I wouldn't make cable choices until I determined what components you are getting and funds remaining for cables.
http://cleardaycables.com/
Here's a good speaker match for your small size room. It is also a component you can hang on to for years to come and upgrade around.
It is a little more then you probably want to spend but I think there is some price negotiation to be had here, since I feel the asking price is a little high. They have a sensitivity of 92dB, and a Impedance of 8 ohms, . That's much higher then almost all stand mounts and will match with the single ended and low power push pull amps mentioned above, although I would consider a Primaluna Prologue Premium integrated.  I have listed a link to one for sale, where I think there is some room for negotiation.  Down the road you can upgrade the sound quality of the PL with upgrades in tubes / fuses and a PC. It's obvious that you would have to spend probably another 1K above your budget, but since these components are available used, your getting a lot of value and sound quality for your money.  Both the speaker and integrated are very well built.  The Primaluna is all point to point wiring, ececpt for a board or two for auto bias and protection circuits.
There are many reviews on both the components listed below; I would highly encourage you to read them.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-reference-3a-mm-de-capo-i-beryllium-2017-01-22-speakers-3...
Note: you can get spikes for the Sound Anchor Stands through Sound Anchor (husband and wife team)
Note: They employ beryllium tweeters.

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649291245-prologue-premium-integrated-amplifier-dealer-demo-unit/

As far as sources, the Marantz and Oppo players outlined in above post would be very good choices for around 1k

Reference 3A MM Decapo BE (with sound Anchor Stands) = $2,400.00

Primaluna Prologue Premium Integrated = $1,850.00

Clearday silver biwire cables (new) = $350.00

Reasonably good interconnect on used market used =  $300.00

New Marantz SA 8004/8005  or New Oppo 105  Multi CD player = approx. $1,100.00

Total $6,000.00