Best set-up under $20K

I absolutely love having large, sensitive speakers. Check out Pure Audio Project speakers (mine are Trio15 Horn1, 96 dB), driven by a terrific 2A3 tube amp from Whammerdyne. Also a tube preamp, octal-pin based. And the crossover is easily tweaked to your preference, if you wish.

You need a biggish room for this system and you will need to buy used to get it for around $20K but it will be astonishingly good.

1) Magnepan 20.7  $9K used

2) PS Audio BHK 300 Mono Blocks $6.5K used

3) PS AUdio BHK Signature Preamp - $3K used.  For an upgrade ARC Ref 6SE around $9K used.

4) Gustard R26 DAC with OCK-2 Master Clock - around $2 K new

TEAC Ud-701n DAC,Pre,Streamer

ATC SCM50 ASL (active)

Puritan 156

Focus Fidelity Room Correction software 

Save your money.....this rocks:

http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/DIY_Bi-amped_super_speaker.html

30 hz flat.....bi-amped....super transparent....plays LOUD....super inexpensive......Costs what a great power cord costs.  Will blow your mind.

Here’s a highly resolving system that will sound like the musicians are in the room with you. Comes in just a hair under $20,000.

Int. Amp: McIntosh ma8900 used - $6,500

Streamer: Teac NT-505 X new - $2,300

Speakers: Martin Logan Summit X used - $5,000

IC cables: Teo Audio Balanced XLR new - $3,000

Speaker cables: take your pick from Nordost, MIT, Shunyata, etc. used - $3,000

The Summit’s will require quite a bit of breathing room (i.e. 4 feet from the back wall and at least 3 feet from a side wall). But the sound will be sublime!

Good luck with your project!