To many of us overthink this hobby, just relax and enjoy what you have Pass and Bryston are near the top.
Help in putting together my system with used equipment on Audiogon and eBay.
I’m looking for the best bang for the buck. What equipment can I find that would make the best system for my budget ($8000)? I'm starting out with:
Pass Labs X1 Preamp, my rock to start with. I got it for $2500 This is where you can help me the most. Let me know your best match for this pre-amp, or the ones you have found to be the best you have heard!
Bryston 4B SST amp for about $1700. It’s been my experience that more power wakes up a speaker and pins it’s ears back. At 300wpc and the reviews on this amp I picked it, but just to start. I really need some experienced people to give me recommendations for the amp, or if the Bryston is a winner. I can sell this for a better amp.
Do I need a DAC?
Phono. I’ve realized that might be a big reason why people go to separates isn’t it? I’d like to hear some comments on this. If you have separates and no phono, what do you use? Stream music? CD’s?
CD player? I do have a lot of CD’s. With separates, it’s either phono, cd, or streaming correct?
I’m not really a phono guy, but I know which albums I would buy so it is an option. I wouldn’t know a good phono if you hit me with it. Please recommend a few.
I’m leaning toward B&W speakers just because of their reputation. I may spend up to 5k on a good pair of speakers, but I want them to be used and costing much more when bought new. I know how to spot a good deal and not buy speakers on their death bed (from reputable sellers), but I need your recommendations too. You all have heard more speakers than I ever have and will.
**I’m going to check this post often and answer any questions and write down your recommendations.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR THIS, IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME!
Pass Labs X1 Preamp, my rock to start with. I got it for $2500 This is where you can help me the most. Let me know your best match for this pre-amp, or the ones you have found to be the best you have heard!
Bryston 4B SST amp for about $1700. It’s been my experience that more power wakes up a speaker and pins it’s ears back. At 300wpc and the reviews on this amp I picked it, but just to start. I really need some experienced people to give me recommendations for the amp, or if the Bryston is a winner. I can sell this for a better amp.
Do I need a DAC?
Phono. I’ve realized that might be a big reason why people go to separates isn’t it? I’d like to hear some comments on this. If you have separates and no phono, what do you use? Stream music? CD’s?
CD player? I do have a lot of CD’s. With separates, it’s either phono, cd, or streaming correct?
I’m not really a phono guy, but I know which albums I would buy so it is an option. I wouldn’t know a good phono if you hit me with it. Please recommend a few.
I’m leaning toward B&W speakers just because of their reputation. I may spend up to 5k on a good pair of speakers, but I want them to be used and costing much more when bought new. I know how to spot a good deal and not buy speakers on their death bed (from reputable sellers), but I need your recommendations too. You all have heard more speakers than I ever have and will.
**I’m going to check this post often and answer any questions and write down your recommendations.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR THIS, IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME!
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- 132 posts total
5+++++ for millercarbn first advice, go for good integrated. Accuphase is in my mind it is warm easy to use very good build, you can upgrade to good sounding phono stage and good quality dac . You saving money on cables which is tricky part too . And if you like B&W don’t go cheap the cheap sound cheap....... good luck!!!!!! |
I believe that a given system has a voice, tone, and emotion. For me, I love the sound of a cello, piano accents, a guitars. For the music flows over me is the big win. Its my personal pleasure. After you figure out the size and presence speakers and your system can have in your room. Listen to whatever systems you can and find the sound that speaks to you. My opinion is the speakers have the most to do with that voice. Then find the top level of that brand speaker that fits you and start there. The speakers needs will drive what amp you should have. Vinyl is an expensive and if don't have a passion for it, put it on hold and go CD or stream. Focus on Dac next. Go for a new or newish dac, preferably that can be take software updates. A basic blue ray player used as a transport will save you money. Just use it as a transport . Or stream directly to the dac Start with the factory power cords, and most basic interconnects. Tweeks are fine turning and will not know where you want to stear your system till you live with it awhile. Yes great gear, monoblocks, etc are awesome. But even used to get full value of amps like Pass labs, T+A, BHK, etc. Your budget isn't gonna get you there. But you can build to it if that what you want. B+W, not my favorites. I find then fatiguing and too technical. That sound is theirs across the line. I bought a pair new, and wanted to like them, just never got there. Haven't even hooked them up after moving 4 years ok |
Here’s a YouTube review of the Klipsch Cornwall IV if you haven’t seen it. https://youtu.be/M8H3Wx80V3Y Steve G. also reviews a few other speakers you might be interested in his other reviews. I haven’t heard your specific equipment but many of the other components described in a “Audio Show” environment. So much depends on system synergy too, so it would be hard for me to comment on the sound using your components. I would also recommend the Florida show to help you get some bearing on the type of speaker sound you like. Always let your ears, not specs or opinions be the judge (if at all possible). Good luck in your journey. |
I've had a LOT of recommendations on tubes. I don't even know there was a tube PRE amp. How does a preamp make a difference in the sound? I thought it was just a unit to plug all the sources into. Man do I have a lot to learn. I want to than you all for the posts, I have learned a LOT from you all. I know it will be my personal taste in the synergy of the system I put together, that tubes, if I decide to implement them, will add to the synergy. A few have said the Class A/AB Pass XA30.5 amp would go well with my system. If I decide to hang on to my Klipsch Heresy III's, I will have to give them a listen or hopefully hear the difference from an audio store. I really need to figure out the digital side of my system, I am totally confused on that. I don't need a unit that streams wireless or an amp, but they all seem to do that. So a good DAC and cd ripper is what I'm after. I appreciate your posts! Please keep them coming, I learn a little from them all, and I still have a lot to lean. Thanks everyone. Especially Mrdecibel who recommended I take it slow and just buy a cd player for now. I had been listening to the tuner on my Yamaha 5250 for so long I thought that was as good as my system got, and then a clean signal from a cd went through them and DAMN! A newfound respect! If it gets a lot better from here, I am hooked! |
- 132 posts total