Need Help Starting from Scratch

I think active speakers are a good option for you. It solves a huge problem, which is finding amplification that matches your speakers well. That can be tough. Active speakers have many advantages, and if you do some research, you might just go that way. For instance, the bass driver will use a class D amp, and the mid/tweeter will use class A/B, and they only get the signal they can play. Can't do that easily with passive speakers.

I think the iDecco is a great choice as it has a wonderful DAC, switchable tube preamp, and the digital iPod dock allows for pure digital to the DAC without the problems of noise and jitter from the PC. You can find them on here new for $800.

For active speakers, check out vanns dot com, and look at the Klipsch XF48. This is their $2,500 floor standing active speaker...and they are on sale for $800 a pair. Free shipping even. :-)

That's $1,600 for one hell of a system. You can always add a sub too if needed. Make your own Cat5 speaker cables, and get some decent power cables...lovely.

I'm going to use them for my winter system, running off a Roth MC4 tube iPod Dock. Get the warmth of tubes, and the integrated power of solid state. Last winter I used this with Mirage OMD-5 satellites and a Mirage Prestige S8 sub...sounded amazing.

Hope that helps some. :-)

It sounds like your objections aren't based on hearing them, but on numbers. Driver size, weight, and the response curve. None of which tell how it sounds in real life. If you read the review above the response curve...he talks about how good they sound with stereo recordings. I'm more concerned with that, than numbers and statistics.

I mean Gallo A'divas are small and light weight, yet produce tremendous detail, and beautiful music. Anyways, to each his own. :-)

Interesting...I've heard nothing but good things about them, and the reviews from owners are good. What is it that isn't good about them? I am looking at them for my winter system, running off a Roth MC4 iPod dock, or an iDecco. Have you had a chance to audition them?

"Too good to be true" pricing doesn't mean bad quality in this economy. I've bought several models of Mirage speakers from Vanns, including the OMD-28s, OMD-15, and OMD-5, and they are amazing speakers...and what I consider to be the best buy in audio currently. A lot of places are closing and these are surplus that is high quality at amazing prices.

Another path to take is the new model from ZU, "the Omen". On sale til Friday for a grand, and all it needs is a few watts. This allows you to get something now and upgrade in the future to bigger amps, etc. Just another idea. :-)

@Stephenhdmrs: good choice man. You can not go wrong with that amp. I am getting the Nova myself. Enjoy man.

@Bob_reynolds: That is highly logical, and absolutely makes sense man. :-)