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Looking to get started. please help

Hi everyone. I am new here. I had a friend suggest I check this site out. I am really new to higher end audio and am looking for some help!

For years I have been listening to music on a crappy surround sound system and I feel it's time to move on.

I know I am at the VERY low end, but right now I would like to spend about $1500 on speakers and amp at the most to move on to something better. Over time, I'd invest more money, but that's my max at the moment.

My main sources for listening to music would be a record player, my iPod, computer and occasionally my TV. Because I am not really into movies or anything like that, I've definitely decided I don't need anything more than a 2-channel system.

I went to a local shop and this was what was recommended to me...

Receiver - Onkyo
http://us.onkyo.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-8050&class=Receiver&source=prodClass

Speakers - PSB
http://www.wwstereo.com/PSB/IMAGINEBBA

But, then someone told me to come to this site and ask for advice. I was also told that I really shouldn't get a receiver, but instead get an integrated amp.

I really need help! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
rootsrockreggae

Showing 2 responses by sebrof

sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
I like RW's Tekton recommendation. I've had 2 pairs, Lores and Katz Meow and still have the Katz. You get a lot for the money, I think much more than those $1,100 PSBs.
http://www.tektondesign.com/

Here's a link to some highly rated sub-$1,000 integrated amps.
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2013-tas-editors-choice-awards-integrated-amplifiers-under-1000/?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email-118
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
I'm not sure you need a DAC. You can connect your TV and your iPOD with RCA connectors to any input on the new integrated or receiver.
For subwoofer later, you can connect via the receiver's preamp outs, or if it doesn't have preamp outs then can be connected via the speaker cables (make sure the new sub has these inputs).
The Martin Logans are good speakers, I've heard them several times at shows. The reason I think the Tekton recommendations are better is because they are less expensive and they are very amp friendly, IOW they are easy to drive. Most logans that do not have powered subs (like the ones suggested above) are the opposite, difficult to drive so they would likely need a more powerful/more expensive amp.
But also keep in mind that there are many many choices besides the few that have been recommended to you (speakers and amps). You should use these recs as starting points to find what you want.
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