Newbie looking for system suggestions


Category: Amplifiers

Pardon my lack of knowledge, but I just got a Xmas bonus, and am looking to spend it on a hi-fi 2.1 channel system -- starting from scratch!!! If you had around $6-8 thousand to spend, how would you do it? It will be for a 20x 24 room, carpeted, with cathedral ceilings (15 ft high). I mostly listen to vocal jazz, blues, rock, but often get a classical hair and have some very good orchestra + piano recordings.

Again, sorry such a basic question -- I have been doing a lot of reading, but I am still completely overwhelmed and looking for some suggestions to audition!!

Steve
sshawmd

Showing 3 responses by kotta

I would buy a used Bryston pre/power amp because they sound excellent and the 20 yr. warranty is unbeatable. A used BP-25 and 4B ST is around $2300 used. Good cabling is a MUST! I highly recommend for your interconnects, VH Audio "Pulsars." Absolutely superb sounding IC's. VH Audio also makes power cords which I personally have not tried yet, but they have received excellent reviews. I have tried the Blue Circle BC-61 PC (new $110) w/ the Bryston BP-25 and this really brought great improvements. I'm using this equipment w/ my Snell E III's and it really sounds very good. One day I would really love to get some ProAc's! Which ever spk. you decide on, they will have to be large floorstanders because of the size of your room. Perhaps some Maggie 3.5/3.6's! The Bryston 4B ST is one heck of an amp and w/250w pre ch. it should drive most spks. well. Might try a tube pre-amp. Then you can fine the sound w/different tubes. Many possibilities! I personally would go w/ a Solid-State amp. I hope you end up w/something you will enjoy!
I personally wouldn't go mid-fi. You'll end up not really being satisfied. The Bryston equipment sounds extremely neutral. The 4B ST for around $1200-1300 used is extremely well-worth the $. Forget bookshelf spks. for the size of your room. You'll need floorstanders. Try to find a dealer whom will work w/you and let you audution as much equipment to see if it meets your tastes. If you buy used equipment, which are in demand, from reputable sellers, you should lose very little on resale and you will have the opportunity of trying equipment out and gaining knowledge.
Sure I realize Bryston is Mid-fi (Upper mid-fi perhaps?) because it doesn't cost megabucks. Mapleleafs3 mentioned "Rogue." They make a new int. amp which is definately worth investigating. If you invest your budget wisely, you should have a very nice system. Audition as much equipment as posible. There are so many choices and ways to go. Decide on the spk. and then find the amp or int. amp best suited to drive that spk. Use good cabling. Besides sounding good, the equipment must blend in w/your surroundings and suit your tastes. Don't rush into anything, take your time and investigate. Good Luck! Happy Holidays to all!