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System forclassical music

Some friends are looking to upgrade their home stereo system from something that is probably 30 years old with in-wall speakers wired throughout their house.  They are classical music buffs, which makes me leery of giving them much advice (I prefer rock, female jazz vocalists and Argentine tango).  They are discerning listeners, but probably because of their current system their expectations were low - they really didn't think that a home system could come anywhere close to a concert hall experience until I streamed Chapotier's Te Deum from Qobuz on my (modest) system and their eyebrows went up.  I told them that they could reasonably do even better, but I really wouldn't know what to advise them.  I realized that I actually don't know a dealer I would trust sending them to!  Sad, but true.

So let's say a budget of $5 to $10K for a core system (streamer, DAC, amps, sub, speakers - TT and CD transport to be added later).  Integrated is fine.  Assume a 15x20 multi-purpose room (I alerted them to room correction, but first things first).  Any suggestions as to what might be a good fit for them?  Thanks.
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mahler123
3,083 posts
 
In general, as someone who listens to Classical about 99%, I prefer accuracy, and not something that sugar coats bad recordings.  One question would be if they value surround sound, as Classical Music lovers have kept SACD alive for the last 20 years.  Assuming that the answer to the above is no, you still need to know what the preferred source will be—CDs, Vinyl, CDs that have been burned to a HD,Vinyl, tape, etc.  In general tubes somewhere in the system—preamp is fine-provides a better soundstage depth, so the percussion sounds like it is coming from the back of the Orchestra and not from the Conductors waist pocket.  Also a sub to get those really low percussive effects that composers such as Mahler and Shostakovich revel in.
  Sinus Fabre is usually the speakers touted for CM, and they look great, but I’m not a fan due to colorations.  I would rather get a value for money speaker like Paradigm
speakermaster
738 posts
 
They need to find a good dealer in the area because when you get to in wall speakers you are talking a lot of custom cutting and wiring that is going to require a lot of effort maybe even suggest to them a professional custom sound and lighting business in the area.
rlj
59 posts
 
Check out the audio shows which are making a come back.     
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treepmeyer OP
104 posts
 
Yes, I did mean Charpontier.  As is obvious, I'm not a CM fan.
I don't know the preferred source yet; I just assumed it would be streaming.
I doubt that they want in--wall speakers in a new system.  It just what they have now.
I didn't know that SACD was big for the CM world.  Thanks for alerting me to that.
Any dealers all of you can point us to in Chicago?  Thanks.
ctyslkr66
14 posts
 
If you are willing to drive to Milwaukee...  Audio Emporium.  The guys are awesome.  Very down to earth and trustworthy.
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