ProAcs or B&W--Not hifi experienced, but luv music

Dave, I think you are mistaken about using an Ipod as a source. Unless you are talking about buying the new Wadia Ipod digital music extractor and routing that to a good DAC, the output on an ipod is limited to analog using the Ipod's internal DAC. That will pale in contrast to getting digital out of a computer (e.g. thru USB) and converting it with a good d/a converter like the Benchmark. I agree with your comment about tuning in to the speakers though.

J4Tonks - I don't know the retail value of these items. If you are only going to listen to digital, I would can the Rotel receiver and see if he can hook you up with a good amplifier that can work well with the volume control on the Benchmark. Benchmark now offers a preamp version of their DAC - I think that meants that it has analog input, and you could use that for your preamp. Do focus on the speakers, the Proacs and the B&W's are very different.

Jane, I would say this: take your time, don't feel pressured in to anything. In this day and age, when so much hifi gear is sold used (on this site), your dealer is lucky to have a client who wants to work with him in the traditional way. He should certainly be accomodating.

The 805's are very nice speakers. Do they come with stands - they should - and they should be set up a bit "out" in the room. I'm not too sold on the Rotel receiver - I think you could do better. I think you want a warm sounding amplifier, not too sterile, with the B&W's. As I said before, if you are purely listening to digital and internet radio, you can use the Benchmark as your preamp. I think the Benchmark is a bit sterile sounding, all the more reason to get a warm sounding amplifier.

Not sure what you mean about the 805's not working together. That's a bit of a red flag - please explain. Also, be aware that the Benchmark has had a few iterations over the years, and the newest version is the best. I don't know how old the dealer's demo is, but this is something to consider.

Finally, make sure you rip your music to the hard drive using a lossless format, such as FLAC or Apple Lossless (for itunes). You will want to buy an external hard drive (they are cheap) to back up all your music.

Hope that's not too much information. Peter

Remember - Jane is talking about using a Benchmark DAC with the laptop. This means it is either a USB Dac, or there is a USB->SPDF converter involved. In either case, she should be able to get sound atleast as good as a CD player with that setup, as long as she uses a lossless digital format for storing music. The internet radio won't sound as good, but what the hay - if you like the musical selection, enjoy it as you can (I enjoy streaming recorded grateful dead concerts and the sound doesn't bother me). So Jane - don't worry about your source if you are using the Benchmark and a laptop. Also, Apple is a better choice than PC. So you're good on that. I would also say that there are other USB DACs that may even better the Benchmark for less money - such as the Paradisea available on Ebay ($650). The problem is, when asking for opinions on this site, you are going to get referred to gear your dealer doesn't sell, and it sounds like you are already committed to working with the dealer.

Why do you need a receiver? Can you get by with just digital sources? If so, find a good solid state amplifier that has a warm sound (to compliment the more analytical sound of the B&W and the Benchmark), and that has a good impedence match with the Benchmark. I don't have a suggestion - you might want to search for some threads on the B&W here on agon to get recommendations. But what if they are amps that your dealer doesn't sell?

In the above case, you are using the Benchmark's volume control as your preamp. Just digital input. No FM tuner. What do you think?

So, you are going to have to choose. Either give us a list of what your dealer sells, or be open to buying other stuff beyond what your dealer sells. If it were me, and I didn't need FM radio, I would go for the laptop, buy a Paradisea USB DAC on Ebay, get the B&W's, and get a complimentary integrated amplifier for the B&W's.

All the Best, Peter

PS - I probably would miss the bass!

PPS - Can you make your dealer still happy by buying some stuff from them, and go elsewhere for other???

Here is a thread for integrateds to go with the 805 signature. Similar amplifier manufacturers may apply to the 805:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1134250506&openfrom&1&4#1

You may also consider tube amplifiers. I haven't heard the Tablettes - but most importantly, go with the sound you like!

Hi Jane,

I have heard the 1sc's, and I (personally) like them alot. I'm not sure you will get their full effect when you are working, far away down the long end of the room, but when you are sitting closer in, relaxing, their musicality and imaging should be wonderful. I'm not sure what matches them best - I think they like some power - so if the Classic isn't it, I might consider a Plinius integrated like the 9200 which has power and also beautiful midrange and just good all around. You'll need good solid stands for your Proacs.

I have owned both the Paradisea and the Benchmark DAC, and strongly preferred the Paradisea for its natural sound. I have compared it back to back with my (expensive) Electrocompaniet CD player, with no particular preference, both very good. I definitely like it more than the Benchmark, which I find a bit too detailed and cold. A friend of mine just bought the Benchmark on 30-day trial, I lent him my Paradisea, the rest is history.

One nice thing about buying the Paradisea is that you can use an external CD player for a transport. If you didn't buy the Linn and bought a Plinius integrated, you could buy an inexpensive CD player or DVD player as a transport (e.g. the Oppo which costs $200 and sounds quite good even on its own) and plug its digital out into the Paradisea as well. Both would use this exellent DAC.

Looking at system cost:

Proac 1sc $1200
Plinius $2200
Oppo $ 200
Paradise $ 650
Stands $ 250
Cables $ 250
Laptop $????
Hard Drive $ 130

The total is $4900 plus laptop. Maybe a cheaper integrated (though I'm sure the Plinius would be killer!).

In this system, the only things you'd need to buy used are the speakers, the stands, the integrated and maybe the cables. The CD player and DAC would be new. I think you run little risk by buying the speakers used, and if you choose your seller right, little risk with the amplifier. I do feel bad if I've steered you away from a dealer though - we need relationships with dealers, we need to support them, and people need the support that only dealers can provide. That being said, if you don't feel like you were getting to where you want with your dealers, that speaks for itself. You'll need to decide between working with the dealer and buying online. One option would be to buy the Proac 1sc's and a suitable amp from the dealer.

Best of luck, Peter

Check "completed listings" and search for "Paradisea". Make sure you get the spelling right. If there are none on there currently, he will list some soon. Just buy one using "buy it now". Here is one listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TDA1545A-Non-OS-USB-TUBE-DAC-Paradisea_W0QQitemZ120238826700QQihZ002QQcategoryZ14978QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Oppo is if you don't buy the Linn, then you want a CD player. It is a good value, and you can input it into the Paradisea DAC, it may sound even better that way. You can buy all your cables from Blue Jeans cables.

You can educate yourself on both the Oppo and the Paradisea by searching on those words in the forums. I believe Oppo has a new model out - you'll need to read up and figure out which one to get. It's also a great DVD player.

Good luck Jane. Keep us informed of your progress. Peter