[TheShoe]

Hello to everyone from the  PNW

I have been a guitar player using tube amps for decades and finally decide to spend time and money doing a 2 channel system for as cheap as possible. My home theater sounds horrible(20 year old definitive bp6 and newer 7.1 Yamaha receiver yuk) Unlike audio junkies, I have spent about $10,000 in guitars and an amp and have no budget for audio  so far I’ve spent $1,200. Think I’m doing well.

 Waiting  for fedex to deliver a used van alstine synergy 240/3 channel amp, and a tubes 4hifi tube preamp kit.
Preamp has phono stage and will do vinyl eventually. Will probably start with a streaming dac since we have Apple Music.  Tidal at some point? Signal cables? GR Research DIY cables? Used Tekton speakers?  Like everything I do I am trying to stuff 10 years of audio info into a 3 month time frame. My brain hurts. 
Feel free to chime in with help and suggestions.

Dennis.

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome Dennis 
As you are in tube amps yu could look at some fullrange drivers to match:
https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZMS.html

Bargain  at $399 pair:
https://www.lii-audio.com/product/recommended-15-full-range-speaker-driver-for-music-loudspeaker-with-tube-amplifier-f-15-in-pair/

[TheShoe]

I did look at Decware. To rich for my blood. I’m going to keep searching used speakers in the 1200 price range.  Besides the Node2i is there anything that out performs it for not much more money for streaming?

[mresseguie]

Dennis,

Welcome to AC. There are plenty of members who live in the PNW - myself included (Willamette Valley, OR).

I used to own an AVA Synergy 240/3. I bought it because I had thought I wanted HT only to learn that is not what I wanted. Even so, I kept it for a couple years as a 2-channel amp, but finally let it go 2 or 3 years ago to someone who actually needed that third channel. I still sometimes wish I'd kept it. It's a good amp.

Which model Tubes4hifi preamp did you order? 

BTW, it can be pretty risky asking for suggestions from this bunch. We're very likely to inundate you with migraine inducing suggestions. Shucks, we may even try to persuade you to spend more than you had originally intended! 

Michael

[FullRangeMan]

I did look at Decware. To rich for my blood. I’m going to keep searching used speakers in the 1200 price range.  Besides the Node2i is there anything that out performs it for not much more money for streaming?

Forget Decware its for audiophools looking a famous brand name, look the original Lii Audio 15'' FR driver only $399 pair posted.

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[TheShoe]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. 
I’m in Southwest Washington so not to far away.
Good to know about the AVA 240/3.
I bought the sp8 with  4 preamp tubes and a ax4? rectifier.

Told the wife to buy me NOS Tubes for Christmas!  I have done damage to my wallet with Millard Xf2’s and many preamp tubes for the guitar amp. Any car, guitar, or audio forum is very dangerous!!!!!!  Maybe I’ll post a picture of the insides of the guitar amp with no circuit board or turret board.  It’s a thing of beauty.

[JLM]

Welcome from an old old guy (age 64, been around audio for ~50 years).

Surprised with your performance background you didn't go with active monitors, a much cheaper/better alternative used in studio work.

[mresseguie]

Have you thought about what sort of speakers you’re looking for? There are so many options - full range single driver, two-way, 2.5 way, 3-way, 4-way. Then, there’s open baffle, box speakers, hybrid. There are likely more which I’ve forgotten to mention.

The Synergy 240/3 is pretty comfortable driving anything from the low 80s dB (room dependent) on up.

Does the amp you’re buying have the ‘double die’ feature added? I think it’s called that. It enables the amp to better power low impedance speakers or speakers with challenging impedance. Mine had this feature.

Michael

[TheShoe]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I guess I’m more on the cheap and cheerful end of things. I am going to peace this together a little at a time.  Buying a used AVA 240/3.  Don’t know any details about the amp. I’ll have to talk to Frank about it.  Didn’t plan on it but might just do a 3 channel setup?

Was thinking about monitors/sub but decide on bigger driver to handle bass and volume.

 The Tekton’s seem like a good value for the money used, and they are efficient.  The stereo system will be in a great room with high ceilings.  Not just me but the wife really enjoys music at volume. Will need some room treatments for sure. Have read and learned a lot here over the months of researching.

[sunnydaze]

I've never heard Tektons, but many experienced folks whose opinions I trust say they are great.

They always show up used, so as a starting point and maybe even beyond, I think it's a great way to go for easy to drive and great buck bang.   

[JLM]

If interested in how the room affects sound suggest reading Floyd Toole's "Sound Reproduction" (either edition).  He recommends picking loudspeakers (and multiple carefully placed subwoofers) first, then effective absorption (my vote would be for GIK that you can find here at Audio Circle).