Best set-up under $20K


Hello!

I´m starting to look for an upgrade.  What would you buy with a 20k budget?  (new or used)

My actual system is bw803d2 with hegel h360.
I started looking at bw802d3 with mcintosh ma8900 + streamer (?)

I mostly listen to digital (Tidal) through iphone/airplay.  

Will install it in a big room (about 6mts x 10mts); listenning & dinning room. 

Tks 

gfguimaraes

The 803d3 is not worth the upgrade from the d2 imo. I heard them in the same room system. It is just a little more transparent and a little flatter but really the same speaker. The 802 is noticeably better in the bass but honestly I would just add subs if I owned the 803. The subs will be better anyway.

Some good suggestions above.


things I demoed in that price range below:

803d4 (too bright, lack of bass, the 802D4 was much better in the bass but still bright, both had amazing soundstage. The 802D4 made male vocals sound a little thin.

Revel 328be (really good, no real flaw, could use more sub bass)I bought the 228be and use subs after this demo but sold them after about 1.5 years)

Revel Salon 2 (a special speaker but pushed my budget and I was worried about how old the design was).

Wilson audio Sabrina (Not bad but could not play as loud as I like. Some oddness in the 3k range (cone break up?) good but then I heard the bigger models lol…

Sonus Faber Nova 3 (5 was not on the floor). Enjoyable speaker but leaves some resolution on the table. Looks amazing.

Klispch La Scala IV. Not sure about this one. Has potential but comes with some oddities. Needs subs for sure.

Kef Reference 3 (flat with good soundstage, really dull highs, lacked dynamic slam, just average sounding to me.

 

I ended up with a pair of JBL 4367 and could not be happier. They are the lazy man’s M2 (no special amps needed). They are as detailed as the B&Ws but smooth like the Revels, and dynamic like the Klispch. A special speaker for sure. Lack of soundstage depth and width is their only flaw… and they don’t reach to 20hz. They look pretty bad too lol.

Here are some nice Joseph Audio Pearl 3s that’d be a very nice upgrade, and JA speakers pair well with Hegel.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650017479-joseph-audio-pearl-3-speakers/
 

Best of luck. 

@gfguimaraes 

I had a pair of B&W 802D3s which I loved and did not find bright at all. For your large room, the 802s will give you great bass; however, I would suggest pairing it with the McIntosh MA9000. Those big woofers require a lot of power.

Interesting, others will answer your question properly

You made me jump about seeing what my system would cost me if everything was stolen. Covid Times Prices went way up, coming back down some it seems.

$36.0 K does it

 

I’m a patient bargain hunter, probably get everything for $30.0 K

Thanks for the fun.

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4.0 K, TT, 2 tonearms (I could do without my 3rd arm easily enough)

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb0f4d-sam-small-audio-manufacture-reference-turntable-turntables?refsource=hifishark

1.5 K SUT for MC, 3 inputs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164633673789?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=3708b0f0-51ba-11ee-8a1e-653134646537

3.0 K Allowance for 3 cartridges (MC, MM, Mono)

3.5 K Tube Tuner/Preamp

McIntosh Mx110z Tube Preamp Phono Tuner RECAPPED | eBay

4.5 K Amp with Remote Volume ....(I just picked one for an allowance)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125662697463?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=104f156a-51b7-11ee-8c1d-653134646537

1.5 K SACD/CD Player

https://www.highperformancestereo.com/digital/sony-scd-xa5400es.html

3.5 K Reel to Reel

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275733038587?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=33c7112c-51b8-11ee-bcc1-653134646537

0.5 K furman power controller

https://www.proaudiostar.com/furman-p-1800-pf-r-power-conditioner-surge-suppressor.html?utm_source=Google_Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmICoBhDxARIsABXkXlL5MwhGiLzuQalhHJT-Z5eJtVjE2zxPtsgIJjxw8QI0LiY1ODkJgU4aAsDsEALw_wcB

14.0 k New Pair of Klipsch La Scala Speakers (Majority of the cost naturally)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133831901132?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=314bce64-51b9-11ee-82c7-653134646537

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existing system

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/9511

 

 

 

 

 

Too many variables , your speakers like I did the weak link is the Xover 

like in most speakers under $25k since I have many I know first hand, 

the dac for sure would be next since music starts there good or bad.