2. amps-preamps
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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 yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,553 posts
 
@ joekapahulu Congrats on the investment. I am also waiting on an 8 year investment to pop so I can get a "free" set of speakers. I am set on buying the Yamaha NS 5000 after hearing a ton of great systems. You should check them out or the much cheaper NS 3000. I think an NS 4000 in-between the 2 likely will also be released. Not sure if the NS 3000 is in the USA yet. It is a very technologically advanced speaker.

Surprisingly, this evening I got an email the CEO of a company I worked and invested in about 15 years ago. Seems they are going to cash out on Monday (2 days from now). I likely will get $100 from my stock investment there. with all the dilution, but it is going to be fun to see what happens next week. I do not even remember how much stock I own there. Maybe I get lucky and can get the NS 5000 early.

I did get all my new electronics for the future NS 5000 over the last 3 months.  I realized the stuff I liked the best was cheaper than my initial very very expensive choices. 

I just looked at the new Stereophile Recommended Components for 2020 and it seems the 3 new pieces I bought are all in the A+ category. I did not know this before hand but looking over the list today, I think they have some good guidance (and measurements).

https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-fall-2020-edition

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