Wife opened door to build my best ever system...ideas for what it should be?


Long ago investment that had languished for decades suddenly was transformed in value and is going to pay out. While the bulk of the money will help with our retirement, my wife suggested that this is the opportunity for me to "buy the system you always wanted but never had the chance to buy".....I am figuring on $10-20k to do this. I am presently fairly happy with my speakers (Ohm Walsh 2-100s, Kef R300s) and my sources (Sony SACD 5400ES, Marantz SA8006) but think my power sources have room for improvement (Acurus R11, McIntosh MC250, Marantz PM8005). Dont have a dedicated room though if we are able to buy a new house from this that is my BIG DREAM? For now, the 2 systems, which I would like to edit down to 1 with 1 set of power amps, are in my LR which is a bit cluttered but what I have. I listen to jazz, blues, rock, classical, acoustic music, Hawaiian slack key, bluegrass, female vocals...about 5000 CDs. There is no real shop locally, no techs, here in Hawaii but my in laws are in DE where I have been to Overture alot as well as a few other shops in PA, NJ. I expect it will probably be 6-9 months before I am in the place to spend the money and also hopefully to get off the rock and travel safely. So, its a good time for research and strategizing...especially under the pandemic. I think the amplification is focus one but maybe I need to think bigger and upgrade my speakers too? I cant get anything bigger than the Ohms and the room (12 deep by 18 wide by 9-14 feet high) will absorb only some much energy. I have never owned tubes and am intrigued although concerned about the heat during summer...I do have AC but also the US' most expensive power utility. My mind goes to things like McIntosh MC275 or MA7000, maybe Pass (never heard it), frankly never put a fantasy system together because I didnt see it happening...
Any and all suggestions are appreciated. I figure I will put a list together then down the road spend time on the Mnld and do lots of listening for system synergy...then hopefully be able to buy and ship and in a year have a new system....
joekapahulu

Showing 1 response by verdantaudio

God I love Hawaii!  I went there on my first honeymoon and a second vacation with my first wife and I still love the state.  Given it was with the first wife, that is saying a lot!

If it was me and you are thinking about consolidating down to one system, why not upgrade both?  Your room is about the size of most demo rooms at hotel shows like AXPONA and Capital Audiofest so if you can deliver great sound in a show, 

In a room that size you have a choice between a smallish floorstander or a great standmount with maybe a smallish subwoofer.  Given your current system, it sounds like you prefer a slightly forward sound profile.  

Given your taste and budget, there are a million options so getting things narrowed to what you like based on sound, looks and your concerns around energy consumption and additionally, how many pieces do you want?  Separates or an integrated?  

Really think through what you want and then it will be easier to map out a plan on how to get to it?  Especially in terms of sound.  

A few things I would look at through:

Linear Tube Audio - David Berning's ZOTL circuit is amazing and you in essence get a cool running tube amplifier.  These are brilliant, albeit lower power.  

Bob Carver equipment - This is also cool running tube gear.  Bob Carver found a circuit that used to be used in CRTs that he applied here.  These are much higher power.  

Rogue Audio -  Check out the Hydra and DragoN power amps.  These are Class D with a tube input stage.  I own a Hydra and it is a spectacular amp.  Also look at their RPX line of preamps.  An RP5 is wonderful with the Hydra and would also work well with a Bob Carver or LTA amp.  

Other class Ds, Gs and Hs - Wyred4Sound, NuPrime, Benchmark, Krell, etc....  There are a million of these products on the market these days and most are very good.  They will all run at similar temp or cooler than your current Class A/B gear.  A/B gear is wonderful and there are lots of choice.  

I would avoid Class A if heat is a concern.  75% of the energy that goes through a Class A amp burns off as heat so...

For speakers, there are 100s of brands and even more sub-brands that are on your budget and are amazing.  To narrow this, key is sound profile and looks.  I would take a look at B&W, Spendor, Focal, Revel, Scansonic/Raidho, Harbeth, Kef, Vandersteen, Wharfedale, Elac, Tekton, Zu, Magnepan, Martin Logan and Paradigm and let us know what you like and don't like aesthetically,  Once we know what you like in terms of looks and sound, it becomes easier to help zero in on products that are worth listening too. 

That is where I would start and reporting back on your thoughts can help narrow things.  

Full disclosure, I am a dealer and manufacturer of speakers that sells some of the brands listed above.