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Hi folks-First of all, let me apologize in advance for a lengthy post. I'm a brand new forum member; just found out about this site after posting at the Audiogon site... As my thread title states, I'm completely ignorant when it comes to the audiophile world, but I really want to start building a system and learn something in the process. A little background on me: I've been making a living as a recording artist and studio musician for almost 20 years, but my career choice as a music-maker has somehow ironically detached me from the simple pleasure of just sitting and _listening_ to music for the sheer enjoyment of it. My wife and I are currently in the process of remodeling our bonus room into a media room, and one of my objectives is to at the very least turn it into a space where I can do some critical listening.I currently don't have anything decent... Just some old Bose bookshelf speakers and a Yamaha surround receiver. The closest thing to 'something decent' that I own are a pair of Etymotic ER-4S headphones coupled with a Headroom headphone amplifier.The big limiting factor is my budget. Given that fact, maybe I have no business posting here... I will probably need to build this piece-by-piece over time, so I'm content with having to stretch the process out. I'm not concerned with having to have the 'best' of anything; I would just really like to make listening to music an engaging and emotional experience for me like it was for me many years ago.Would a speaker purchase be a good place to start? I was perusing the Audiogon classifieds today and saw that there is actually a pair of DK Designs LSA-2's for sale local to me. The asking price is at the top of my speaker budget, a little over a grand, which I realize is probably 'chump change' in the audiophile world. However, I've read some reviews and they seem mostly positive. Would be super-convenient to be able to find something nice that was used and local, but as I said before, I'm completely new to this. Another related question: Is it better to go with floor-standing speakers, or can decent sound also be accomplished with bookshelf speakers combined with a subwoofer?Also, what are the other 'basic' components that would need to be purchased? The only other thing I know I'd love to have would be a decent turntable; I'd love to be able to go and purchase some of my favorite classic albums to listen to once again. Do I need a separate preamp and power amp combination? Are there any 'receivers' that do a decent job of covering both tasks?Any other feedback or direction you experts could throw my way would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance!
Up to now my plan has been to start with a nice pair of speakers, because at least I'd have something temporary to play through them, even if I won't hear their true potential until upgrading source... However, I'm open to whatever feedback y'all can provide. I'm leaning in the direction of floor-standing speakers, as I'd like to not have to use a sub and also I'm ignorantly assuming that they might contribute more to the experience I described.
The 2275 is a little newer, but is a good receiver with 75 watts per channel (RMS @ 8 ohms), the 2220 is underpowered with only 20 watts per channel.A 2252 is good as well. Stay away from any SR series receivers. It is always wise to be patient when looking for a used receiver on eBay. Take your time and get one from someone who has a 100% rating. Known problems with some of the vintage gear like power switches and volume controls, have no replacement source.Vintage speakers can be tricky if you don't know the history of the brand. AR speakers (except for the 4X) will all have rotted woofer surrounds, as will every other Advent, except for the Model 3, which was designed by Henry Kloss. One of the least expensive speakers ever designed and will outperform many of todays speakers. Bass in spades and they image like a bastard. Not made for continuous high power, but you can throttle them a bit. KLH is another brand with surround problems.Wayner
Thanks again for the replies. A couple of questions:Wayner, are there other models of that period of Marantz gear that would be good? I see that the 2250 is talked about a bit as a good starter receiver, however I don't see a bunch of them for sale. Are 2275's or 2220's basically the same? Steve, thanks for the tip on the F12's. Those look interesting, and I'd like to go hear them. There are also a pair of LSA LS2's for sale local to me... I've read good things about them online. Have any of you had any experience with either those or the F12's?