[lonewolfny42]

Mike....

if one is going to introduce more than one new component, how do you all do it?  One at a time just so you can hear what the new component is doing?  How long before introducing the second new component?

One at a time....don't be in a hurry...take your time and listen, listen, listen.

[Bigfish]

Keep a close eye on the weakest link, which for me has always been speakers.  I can switch 10 amps in and out of my system or 10 preamps or change my CDP but nothing makes a difference like speakers.  Everyone here has different views but IMO it's important to focus on finding speakers I like and then fine tune my system with wires, amp swps, etc.... 

I personally hear no difference b/t balanced and unbalanced in my system.

I agree with this advice 100%.  Chose your speakers first as everything else you do refines the sound produced from the speakers.  Also, the efficiency ratings of your speakers will dictate the size amp required to properly drive them. 

Seriously consider the used equipment/dealer demo markets and save yourself a lot of money.  Most of the time there is nothing wrong with the equipment, it is just a case of upgrade itch!

When I started this hobby several months ago Lonewolfny gave me the same advice he gave you, "Take your time."

Good Luck,

Ken

[bhobba]

Don't get hung up on balanced connections/cables

Absolutely.  I used to worry about such things until I saw the experience of Hugh Dean who makes one of the finest amplifiers on the planet (quite possibly the finest).  For your average Hi Fi use it is simply not worth the hassle. 
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread/t-108756.html
'This Soraya is not more, not less, than the best.'

That his amp doesn't use it is rather telling IMHO.

Thanks
Bill

[bhobba]

I agree with this advice 100%.  Chose your speakers first as everything else you do refines the sound produced from the speakers.  Also, the efficiency ratings of your speakers will dictate the size amp required to properly drive them.  Seriously consider the used equipment/dealer demo markets and save yourself a lot of money.  Most of the time there is nothing wrong with the equipment, it is just a case of upgrade itch! When I started this hobby several months ago Lonewolfny gave me the same advice he gave you, "Take your time."

Absolutely.  But as your experience grows you will become more attuned to the subtleties. You may even reach the stage where, like Hugh Dean, who designs amplifiers to a large extent by ear, (he uses good engineering as well), you may come to believe amplifiers are the main determinant.  But such a view will take time and experience to 'grow' on you.  Initially speakers will be the man determinant of your systems sound.  For youe initial amp something simple like an Emotiva pre and main, at its drop dead price(s), would be ideal IMHO.
http://www.emotiva.com/index.html.
Use the digital out of a cheap DVD player feeding one of it pre amps and you will have rather good sound.  As a CD transport, DVD players are rather good.

Listen to speakers, but be aware that buying through a local Hi Fi store that affords you this privilege is costly.  For your consideration I recommend the new Timepiece Mini from SP Tech.  You can not go down to your local store and hear it, but it is rather close to the best on the planet at any price, and is available factory direct from SP tech for $2995.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=48470.0
'Without going into what speakers I have and have had, the Minis are better out of the box then anything that I have ever heard in my house or at the shows. I don’t know what other reviewers of the minis have had, but if its better it’s got to cost upwards of $10,000 dollars, Please keep in mind that I have had the highest rated speakers on earth that I am comparing these to. Maybe mine are a fluke and Bob through in some magic beans, but these are the highest toe tapping, natural listening I have ever heard at ay price.'

BTW you can trust Lowewolfy - his advice is spot on.

Thanks
Bill
 

[JLM]

finsup,

Large room, nice speakers with some deep bass, no treatment options available, poor speaker setup, $6500 to spend, small ensemble folk/country genres, gotcha.  Are these limitations (no treatment options available, poor speaker setup) short term or long term?

Do you want remote control?  Are you open/interested in ripping your CDs onto a computer or using some sort of music server?  What sort of audio attributes (deep/full bass, razor sharp imaging/detail, accuracy, euphoric/musical effect, crystal highs, warm tonality, etc.) are you after?

The Montana SPs look like a good starting point.  For your room size and musical interests I'd shoot for at least 50 watts per channel as my guess is you're not listening at high sound pressure levels.  The standard wisdom is to impart tubiness (if you want it) at the pre-amp (or source).  This uses smaller/cheaper tubes and avoids bloated bass that tubes with their poor dampening characteristics.  Audio by Van Alstine, Channel Islands Audio, and Odyssey Audio (all here at AC) have excellent amps that will fit in your budget ($750 - $1,850).

In your price range you could go with a Rega Saturn CDP (very well respected for $2500) or a fully modded Squeeze Box (PC music server) from Bolder Cable Company (again at AC for $2250).  Note that you could save $750 on the Squeeze Box by substituting a Channel Islands Audio power supply for the Bolder Cable one.  Keep in mind that you (and your family?) must be at least somewhat computer savy to deal with the Squeeze Box.

Another digital source option is to use separate transport/DAC pieces.  A CEC belt drive high quality transport retails for $1500.  A Squeeze Box could be used as a transport too (about $950 modded).  Very good quality DACs with digital cable start at $900 from Channel Islands Audio.  More complexity, but more flexibility too.

As mentioned above, the pre-amp can be the piece needed to flavor your sound.  Once we've got a handle on what audio attributes you're after we can make suggestions.  And if keeping things simple appeals to you, an intergrated amp can be found.  The Unison Unico ($2350) comes to mind as having a tubed pre-amp section and 80 watts per channel.  BTW it can be modded to very good effect.

Lastly, audio wires (interconnects, speaker cables, and power cords) is a real rats nest.  For your budget, I'd keep it under $1000.  IMO too often the wiring is used to color the overall sound.  Look into Signal, Element, and Blue Jean Cables.

[bhobba]

As mentioned above, the pre-amp can be the piece needed to flavor your sound.  Once we've got a handle on what audio attributes you're after we can make suggestions.

At least initially a pre amp is not necessary eg you can use the volume control on a dac like the benchmark.  Many will suggest valved in a preamp.  Personally I am not a big fan as I believe better performance can be had from solid state
http://www.bursonaudio.com/Burson_Pre-100.htm

But that is a individual thing - some people love tubes.

Thanks
Bill

[JLM]

Bill,

I'm with you on not being an automatic tube fan.  IME the secret is finding tube magic/fullness without colorations/syrup.  And I'd add them in just one place in the system as multiple tubed pieces gets too far away from absolute accuracy.

I'm also with you on not needing a pre-amp at all if the system has a single source equipped with a volume control.  In fact that's what my system is currently (CDP to monoblocks to speakers), a nice KISS system.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Everytime I take my preamp out of my system it doesn't sound as good.  It is an N.E.W. p3 and it doesn't soundy syrupy etc.  I also had the beta modwright preamp that was very good.  I've recently seen used modwright preamps selling for $1100us.  Something to consider.

Another speaker to consider:  http://www.salksound.com/1801.shtml

As Lonewolf42 told you.  Upgrade one piece of equipment at a time and make sure you get the opportunity to actually listen to a product.  Almost everytime that I've bought a hifi product without listening to it I've been really disappointed (except the modwright) with the sound quality.

Regards

Rod