Here's $5,000 build the best system you can.

Berto · « **Reply #20 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 03:44 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 5 Apr 2011, 03:10 am

Alright I'll give it a whirl:

Zu Soul Superflys ($1800 used)
Redgum RGi120 ($900 used)
Squeezebox Touch ($250 sale)
Eastern Electric Minimax DAC ($750)
Wywires Digital SPDIF ($350)
Zu Mission IC & SC ($800)

The Redgum/Zu SS combination was one of the most musical I've encountered.

Funny Fred I was gonna give it a shot but pez said no used, you cheater

TONEPUB · « **Reply #21 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 03:46 am »

Thought about it more...

Naim UnitiQute. 2000
Pair of vandersteen 1C's. 1200
Mac mini. 800
Running Springs Elgar. 1000

Talk salesman into giving me some decent speaker cables...

SlushPuppy · « **Reply #22 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 04:05 am »

Rogue Audio - Cronus Integrated Magnum ($2,195)
Zu Audio - Omen ($1875)
Oppo Digital BDP-95 ($999)

Total = $5069

Shipping and cables will have to come out of your lunch money for a couple of days

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #23 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 11:40 am »

Can I get an additional $5k?

Pez · « **Reply #24 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 01:05 pm »

Sure.

firedog · « **Reply #25 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 01:14 pm »

What's interesting is the great variety of systems here. No problem dropping $5k is it?

I'm not familiar enough with enough different speakers to make a real contribution to the list, but what's clear to me is that the big money should go to the speakers.

I prefer a digital setup. You can get very good digital source equipment and good amplification (whatever type you want) for a total of $1000-$2000.

Let's say I go for a Laptop/PC Server ($350), Logitech Touch ($300), and Peachtree Nova (DAC + integrated amp =$1200). Total before speakers of $1850. That leaves me with at least $3000 still to play with for speakers. Even more if I get just the Laptop/PC$(350) or just the Touch and external HD ($400 total), So the big decision is for the speakers - they clearly influence your choice of amplification and will make the most difference in the sound of the finished system.

WGH · « **Reply #26 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 03:24 pm »

Salk and Van Alstine are always musical together.

Salk Songtowers $1899
AVA Vision DAC Preamp $1599
Insight+ 240 amp $999

Sub-Total for base system $4497 which leaves $503 for a source.

For a computer based system add $199 for an M2Tech HiFace USB converter and $300 for your favorite wires
For a CD based system add $49 for a Sony DVPSR500H Upscaling DVD Player from Walmart and use the digital out into the preamp leaving $454 for wires and shipping. (Or a $430 Oppo BDP-83)
For an analog based system a Music Hall - USB-1 with Audio Technica cartridge and built in phono preamp for $249 from Audio Advisor with $254 left over for a better phono preamp and wires.

Wayne

Gopher · « **Reply #27 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 03:42 pm »

Quote from: Berto on 5 Apr 2011, 03:44 am

Funny Fred I was gonna give it a shot but pez said no used, you cheater

eww! I didn't read the rules, but who pays retail? Can we at least do street price?

Zu Omens ($1700)
Redgum Rgi120 ($2000)
Squeezebox Touch ($250)
Eastern Electric DAC ($750)
Sonny's Silver Reveal ($100) iirc
Zu Libtec Speaker cable ($250) ebay/clearance

Pez · « **Reply #28 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 04:04 pm »

street is fine, I did street price on the fritzspeakers.

nathanm · « **Reply #29 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 04:06 pm »

Pez, I've been checking my PayPal account but I haven't received your payment of $5000 yet. Are you sure you got the right address?

WGH · « **Reply #30 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 04:12 pm »

One more - this system will rock the house and the sound will be outstanding!

Von Schweikert VR-33 $3750, with a 90dB sensitivity it is designed to be paired with 35 to 500-watt amplifiers.

Pez's suggestion of a Jolida Integrated 202A PP tube amp for $850 looks good.

And a Logtech Squeeze Box Touch for $290 at Amazon

Total price is $4890 with $110 for assorted wires left over.

Wayne

Pez · « **Reply #31 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 04:30 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 5 Apr 2011, 04:06 pm

Pez, I've been checking my PayPal account but I haven't received your payment of $5000 yet. Are you sure you got the right address?

Sorry Nathan. Here hope this makes up for it.

JLM · « **Reply #32 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 05:29 pm »

Here's a couple of systems for all my Decware buds:

Decware ZCD200i tubed CD player - $1050
Decware SE34I.2 integrated amp (6 wpc w/4 inputs) - $1395
Decware MG944 MTM transmission line floorstanding speakers - $1295
Decware ZSTYX speaker cables - $250
Decware DSRII.1 silver interconnects - $169
Decware DHC1 power cords (2) - $358

Total - $4517

or

Decware ZCD200i tubed CD player - $1050
Decware ToriiMkIII (25 wpc, 2 input integrated amp) - $2495
Decware DM945 (2-way standmounted speakers) - $895
Decware ZSTYX speaker cables - $250
Decware DSRII.1 silver interconnects - $169

Total - $4859

One of a very few internet cottages that can provide the entire audio chain and hails from America's heartland. The amps are hand built with lifetime warranties. The speakers are 94 dB/w/m. Decware offers kits, pre-amps, raw drivers, and more. They even offer a 5 shelf equipment rack for $795, but that would push the price a bit over the budget.

Sorry, no pics, but visit them at decware.com

doug s. · « **Reply #33 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 08:38 pm »

- dared sl2000a preamp - 439
- sony xdr f1hd fm tuna - 99
- radio-x tuners extreme mod to sony tuna - 180
- jolida fx10 amp - 383
- tekton lore speakers - 850
- two subs from underwoodwally on a'gon - $888 ea = 1776
- behringer ultradrive pro dcx 2496 - 249
- two yaqin sd-cd3 tube buffers, one after the tuna, the
other before the jolida, after the behringer - $179 ea = 358

total = 4334

that should leave enuff for money for wire, and mebbe even another cheap source...

doug s.

golfugh · « **Reply #34 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 09:21 pm »

Monitor Audio RX-6 ($1700)
Jolida JD1501BRC Hybrid Integrated Underwood Mod'd ($1500)
Squeezebox Touch ($299)
Wyred4Sound DAC1 ($1000)
Cables - all Blue Jeans (about $200)

Total - about $4700

Scott F. · « **Reply #35 on:** 6 Apr 2011, 01:18 am »

Quote from: Gopher on 4 Apr 2011, 05:59 pm

Are these things really that musical? Driven by what? My dad has a pair that he drives with Emotiva gear and I am not a big fan of what I am hearing.

They sure are. Although you may never believe it, I had these being driven by Brian Cherry's (DIYHiFiSupply.com) Fusion³ and I was getting the voice of G*d playing 24/192 material out of that pairing. I'm not exaggerating either. If Blackmore happens to read this post, he'll verify it.

Here is the link to the article I wrote for ETM
Fusion3 Integrated

I really think the performance issues you are hearing is related to what they are connected to. My pair can sound stunningly real with the right amp. Way better than I ever imagined...and I liked them a lot with modest amps.

I'll play...

the DIY HiFi Supply Fusion3...... $1,695.00
Aperion 6T............................ $1,395.00
Kaplan Cables filtered PC............ $799.00
Bolder Nitro cables.....................$450.00
Belkin gold USB cable...................$25.00
$4,364.00

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #36 on:** 6 Apr 2011, 06:16 am »

Some interesting systems...

lord dubious · « **Reply #37 on:** 6 Apr 2011, 10:42 am »

Hi All
Lonewolf, I am thinking you have some ideas. Perhaps you might like to offer a suggestion.
Thanks in advance. If you choose to play your cards close to your chest, no worries.
Cheers

pardales · « **Reply #38 on:** 6 Apr 2011, 01:48 pm »

Quote from: WGH on 5 Apr 2011, 04:12 pm

One more - this system will rock the house and the sound will be outstanding!

Von Schweikert VR-33 $3750, with a 90dB sensitivity it is designed to be paired with 35 to 500-watt amplifiers.

Pez's suggestion of a Jolida Integrated 202A PP tube amp for $850 looks good.

And a Logtech Squeeze Box Touch for $290 at Amazon

Total price is $4890 with $110 for assorted wires left over.

Wayne

Nice work. I was thinking along the same lines as you, though I might substitute the Dayens Ampino for the Jolida and the HRT II+ for a DAC to be used with an existing computer.

Gopher · « **Reply #39 on:** 6 Apr 2011, 02:23 pm »

^^^

I like that system idea! The VR-33 was a major contender (admittedly unheard) when I was looking for new loudspeakers several months back. The price was reasonable for what they supposedly bring to the table and I suspected they might be something special--my only reason for holding off was the fact that my cats would likely see it as a giant scratching post!

I'd love to build a second system around them in a dedicated room (with a door I can close) when I have a freestanding home... as it is, I am rapidly outgrowing my condo and a second large system can't happen.