Thanks for the rec's. I will listen to the Magnepans at Lyric. The Vandersteen's don't pass the aesthetics test, but that's my taste. It seems the LS9's are manufacturer direct, and so it isn't clear how I'd get a chance to hear them. Appreciate your thoughts and expertise.
Speaker Purchase
When I was in college, a neighbor who'd done well on Wall Street gave me a pair of Bose 901's when he upgraded to something else. Around that time, I purchased an Adcom GFA 545II (100 WPC into 8 ohms), and an Adcom Preamp. I also have a (now performing erratically) Carver CD Player. These components were acquired around 20 years ago and I'm now feeling they, well, are harsh sounding. In part, I've come to my own conclusion about this, but the feeling has been reinforced by hearing some friends' systems (Classe, McIntosh), and hearing the profound difference. I'm obviously not an Audiophile (though I love nice gadgets), and I admit to being fairly lost when reading reviews. I totally get the 'soundstage' concept, and I get the 'fatiguing' concept (because that's what my system does to me after a short while).
So, I've decided to upgrade, and I'm humbly asking for some advice. I've decided to spend under $10K, over a couple of years, and to start with new speakers. I would like to keep the cost of speakers under $5K (including reasonably decent cables and tax). The other $5K has to get me an integrated amp, CD player and turntable. I've so far noticed and think I would like to audition the following speakers: (1) PSB Synchrony One; (2) Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand or (3) Concert Grand; (4) Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus, and (5) B+W 804S.
The room these will go in is quite large and irregular. The room itself is 22'X25' with 20' ceilings. Ceiling and floors are concrete. One (left) wall has four 14' windows, one (ahead) wall is sheetrock, the wall against which the system will be placed is brick, and the right side opens to more space. The floor has a 12'X15' sheepskin, and the wall of windows has floor to ceiling drapes. But, my point is, the space is large, open and reflective.
I tend to listen to lots of music types: opera/classical, classic rock, alternative. The system is not intended for home theater (I have another room for that). I won't have a specific 'listening chair', so the quality of the sound can't be heavily dependent on my specific location vis-a-vis the speakers.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice--keeping it real--about what to listen for, what to avoid. I'm in NYC, BTW, so I have retail options. Thanks very much.
So, I've decided to upgrade, and I'm humbly asking for some advice. I've decided to spend under $10K, over a couple of years, and to start with new speakers. I would like to keep the cost of speakers under $5K (including reasonably decent cables and tax). The other $5K has to get me an integrated amp, CD player and turntable. I've so far noticed and think I would like to audition the following speakers: (1) PSB Synchrony One; (2) Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand or (3) Concert Grand; (4) Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus, and (5) B+W 804S.
The room these will go in is quite large and irregular. The room itself is 22'X25' with 20' ceilings. Ceiling and floors are concrete. One (left) wall has four 14' windows, one (ahead) wall is sheetrock, the wall against which the system will be placed is brick, and the right side opens to more space. The floor has a 12'X15' sheepskin, and the wall of windows has floor to ceiling drapes. But, my point is, the space is large, open and reflective.
I tend to listen to lots of music types: opera/classical, classic rock, alternative. The system is not intended for home theater (I have another room for that). I won't have a specific 'listening chair', so the quality of the sound can't be heavily dependent on my specific location vis-a-vis the speakers.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice--keeping it real--about what to listen for, what to avoid. I'm in NYC, BTW, so I have retail options. Thanks very much.