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Speakers deserve the majority of the budget. A properly designed speaker takes money. Great polar response, high efficiency, able to hit peaks over 120 db, and good build quality plus any subwoofer supplementation needed will cost a decent amount. My current system has $4,000 mains, a $1300 sub (custom, would cost more otherwise) and two other less expensive subwoofers all run by a receiver that cost me only a few hundred. My system measures well, can reach reference levels, and most importantly sounds great to me. Would do it again in a heartbeat!Part of this, I think, is due to the fact that modern sources are quite good. Modern amplifiers are quite good (but take expertise just like anything else). As long as a person has the knowledge necessary, I believe they are best off investing heavily into speakers. This route, however, will leave someone unable to tinker much (except for incorporating the subs into the system).Besides...if you invest into a system with bad polar response, you're going to need to spend a bit to get proper in room response through room treatments.
I appreciate the response. I too am now just getting back into Hi-Fi after a 20 year layoff. A co-worker of mine came over to the house and flipped out over my 1990's era system in the rec room and wants to buy it all (for a pretty decent price I might add), which has now renewed my interest in it, and has me thinking starting all over with modern gear. I have a set of JBL L250Ti's, a Carver TFM-55, and a Nakamichi CD-4, and an old billy bags stand, and some old Tributaries cables,(My old Technics tuner died years ago) and he's made an offer of $2500 for everything. From what research I've done, my speakers and stand are about all that's worth anything, with the Carver at most a couple hundred, so I'm not sure if he's crazy or what. Who knows, I ain't sold it yet. Anyways, which brings me here, and researching a new system for around the $5k mark. I figured if I go ahead and get 2.5 from him, I'd add my own 2.5 and try and come up with a decent system around 5 give or take.Was gonna head up to Audio Advice in Raleigh not this weekend but next and check out some Maggies and Aerial Accoustics. Maybe some PSB's and Vandersteens. We'll see. Thanks for all the information guys! This has been a great thread! Keep up the posts!
I spend all $5k on pot and concert tickets. BAM!
Well, OPPO has a new $995 digital player that's gettin some A+ reviews. Prima Luna has a $2,600 tube integrated with a phono stage that's gettin some serious raves at places like Stereophile. Soundfield Audio Monitor 1's look interesting and are being talked about here on AC (see the Enclosure Circle) that I THINK are very efficient, low wattage requirement. That just leaves cabling and a turntable and cartridge (dunno what the PL accepts) if you still have records. Might wanna add an UberBUSS PC from Dave Standard down the road. Yer gonna have fun! I'm jealous.
Have fun and welcome Love the Shazam logo too.
the speakers alone are likely worth $2500. the rack is likely worth something, and i have seen that amp adwertized for anywhere from $400-$800.those speakers have quite a following; i have never heard them, but i would like to. if i awreddy had them, i'd be considering tube amplification strongly, tube preamplification definitely, and perhaps a crossover rebuild. i'd definitely not be getting rid of them until i found their replacement, that i liked better in my own home. ymmv,doug s.
Tube are like beautiful women - high maintenance, but high reward.
lobster claws, if you're leery of tubes, at least spring for a tube preamp. wery little rolling needed, and wirtually bullet proof, for the most part. i really cannot imagine listening to my rig w/o a tubed pre.and, regarding the speakers - while i understand the urge to move on, you should if at all possible really not consider selling them until you can compare them to their prospective replacements in your own room. it's really the best way to get a handle on what you will enjoy longer term...doug s.
You did a hell of a job putting that system together....Maggies are next on my short list for speakers I must own!
...Someone told me to try a cheap tube buffer after my cd player or between the pre-amp and amp to see if I like it.
All I know is my buddy is constantly messing with his system more than he listens to it, so it has me leery of going down that path. Plus he's always buying and selling tubes and such and it makes me think of a boat. Like a big money pit or something. Granted, I highly doubt I'll ever turn into that, but it just seems like so much work. ...