High-end stereo in near future

[rarredoa]

I am considering buying an upper-mid/high end music system within the next year. I am familiar with many of the big top brands such as Mcintosh, Martin Logan, B&W, Linn etc. Obviously very few stores carry these brands.

My main goal is to achieve a life-like sonic performance under $10,000. I am even considering quality used equipment.

My questions to you guys are, what brands to look for, speaker technology, subwoofer or not, power ratings, stereo or multichannel.

I have an extensive collection of music on my computer. I wouldn't really play mp3's obviously, but i have a good sound card on there, blu-ray drive and DVD-Audio capabilities. Would it make sense to invest in a high-end CD player? I am anticipating a good turntable, since there are quality recordings on vinyl out there.

I realize i've asked a lot of questions, but i would like to get any input from audiophiles out there.

[cravnsn]

Krell

http://www.krellonline.com/

[rarredoa]

Oh yea, forgot about Krell... Isn't that Mike Piazza's brand of choice? I think a Krell amp alone would surpass my budget... Unless they have good stuff that's not their top-of-the-line. Or if i could score a used one maybe?

[kpkelley]

Checkout your local high-end audio dealer and see what it is that you like, then perhaps we can be of assistance. Remember you are the one who has to enjoy the sound, not us, our opinions may differ.

If you are looking into tube amps check out Vasindustries.com as they have some affordable options. Looking for a cheaper, but qualities amplification check out Emotiva.com who sell direct to the consumer.

[Scooby Blu]

To address your question about music on your computer. I talked with my local dealer and he said he just got rid of his $ 9,000 cd player and now uses his hard drive instead. This is not mp3 files. He said to get it hooked up to sound great cost about 4K. So I agree with the other poster, get with your local dealer and see what they have to say.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by rarredoa

I am considering buying an upper-mid/high end music system within the next year. I am familiar with many of the big top brands such as Mcintosh, Martin Logan, B&W, Linn etc. Obviously very few stores carry these brands.

My main goal is to achieve a life-like sonic performance under $10,000. I am even considering quality used equipment.

My questions to you guys are, what brands to look for, speaker technology, subwoofer or not, power ratings, stereo or multichannel.

I have an extensive collection of music on my computer. I wouldn't really play mp3's obviously, but i have a good sound card on there, blu-ray drive and DVD-Audio capabilities. Would it make sense to invest in a high-end CD player? I am anticipating a good turntable, since there are quality recordings on vinyl out there.

I realize i've asked a lot of questions, but i would like to get any input from audiophiles out there.

There's lots of good advice in the 2 Channel audio wish list thread, but I'll add some here too. $10,000 is a very nice budget to work with, and I have a couple of questions:

1. How "final" is this system to be? That is do you foresee upgrades in future , or is this "it"?

2. How serious are your vinyl intentions? The more serious, the more it makes sense to allocate to that budget.

3. How big is the room you're intending to install this in?

4. How flexible is your $10K budget?

Now for some recommendations that might change depending on the above, and I'll assume you'll be buying new stuff.

Speakers: Martin Logan Vantages (~$5K). These are, by a long shot, the best speakers I've had the pleasure of auditioning in anything like this budget range. I'll be ordering a pair of their big brothers, the Spire, in the next month or so. If you have the space to accommodate them, the Vantages are very, very good.

Amps: I have a preference for tubes, so that's what I'd recommend. I use the PrimaLuna ProLogue 7 monoblocks ($~3300). I've heard good things about their matching preamp (the ProLogue 3), but I've not heard it myself. Ditto the Rogue Audio preamp (the Metis, IIRC). For a bit less cash, the Vincent SP 331 stereo amp (~$1K) comes highly recommended (but again, I've not heard it myself).

Turntable: The Pro-Ject Debut III or Rega P3 and a half decent cartridge would be a good starting point, and you'll also need a phono stage. If you want to get serious about vinyl, you'll want to invest in a better front end than these, which are entry level (but offer great sound for the money nonetheless).

CD player: I've heard good things about Marantz's $500 player and Cambridge Audio's $1600 player, but I've not listened to either. CD isn't a priority for me. I'm a vinyl guy!

Cables: Try to allocate about 10% of your budget (give or take) to cables. I'm a fan of Nordost's offerings myself, so you could do worse than use their Blue Heaven or Red Dawn cables.

If you want to see what some of this stuff looks like, check out my "RichTeer's audio system" thread. And feel free to fire away with any more questions.

[rarredoa]

Awesome suggestions. As far as my budget goes, I always surpass my budgets when it comes to electronics So a few grand more won't really hurt me.

Believe it or not, I've yet to experience tube-audio! As soon as I can find a decent shop in my area, I'll go audition. As far as my listening room goes. I am in the process of buying a new place. One of my goals is to find a condo that can accomodate a dedicated listening room/study. Not for official business or anything , just a place where I can relax and unwind. My home theater will be in my living room-to-be.

To answer the other question, how serious will I take vinyl? It all depends on the types of recordings out there, and whether or not they'll be easy/hard to find> I appreciate a good jazz tune, and pretty much all kinds of rock. I have attended a few live shows recently and I would like to recreate these experiences as closely as possible. My reason for even considering vinyl is the fact that analog music is not compromised, by that i mean digital compression. If I can find digital sources to be as unrestricted as analog, then I will disregard vinyl.

I am making speculations based on what I have researched and/or experienced, so my knowledge of this is limited. If any of you notice that I may be incorrect in any of this please let me know.

Thanks again and keep the advice coming!

[richteer]

Originally Posted by rarredoa

Awesome suggestions. As far as my budget goes, I always surpass my budgets when it comes to electronics So a few grand more won't really hurt me.

Believe it or not, I've yet to experience tube-audio! As soon as I can find a decent shop in my area, I'll go audition. As far as my listening room goes. I am in the process of buying a new place. One of my goals is to find a condo that can accomodate a dedicated listening room/study. Not for official business or anything , just a place where I can relax and unwind. My home theater will be in my living room-to-be.

OK, the Vantages might be a bit on the large side, but you can worry about that when you get your new place. They're not particularly big per se, but they do need a bit of room around them for best results.

To answer the other question, how serious will I take vinyl? It all depends on the types of recordings out there, and whether or not they'll be easy/hard to find> I appreciate a good jazz tune, and pretty much all kinds of rock. I have attended a few live shows recently and I would like to recreate these experiences as closely as possible. My reason for even considering vinyl is the fact that analog music is not compromised, by that i mean digital compression. If I can find digital sources to be as unrestricted as analog, then I will disregard vinyl.

For new vinyl, check out online stores such as www.acousticsounds.com and www.elusivedisc.com. I buy nearly all my new records from the former. Buying used is also an option, if you're careful.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by rarredoa

I am considering buying an upper-mid/high end music system within the next year. I am familiar with many of the big top brands such as Mcintosh, Martin Logan, B&W, Linn etc. Obviously very few stores carry these brands.

Hi rarredoa...nice to make your acquiantence!

Like you, I'm in the market for a 2-Channel setup as well. However, my timeframe is considerably more extended than yours..... although I wish I didn't have to be that way.

You're going to hear from several people and I'm going to let you in on what I've learned so far from my search.

1. Wanna know about analog/vinyl..listen to what richteer offers his opinion on.
2. Wanna know about Tubes and Room Treatments..listen to what RUR has to say (don't worry, he'll chime in at some point).

There are several others as well, but for fear of leaving even one of these fine people out, I will let you decide who's opinion most closely matches your way of thinking.

Here's a link of the thread that Rich referred to in an earlier post:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=63635

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

To address your question about music on your computer. I talked with my local dealer and he said he just got rid of his $ 9,000 cd player and now uses his hard drive instead. This is not mp3 files. He said to get it hooked up to sound great cost about 4K. So I agree with the other poster, get with your local dealer and see what they have to say.

You still need a good DAC to use with a server

[Halcro 1]

Ive bought just about my whole system on Audiogon ,,, Check it out some retaliers sell outdated stuff most are regular Joes like you looking for a great deal .... Example My Meridian G08 CD player retails for 4800 I payed 2450 shipped brand new ..... My monitor FB 210 Sub retail 1000 I payed 700 shipped ... And I bought my Halcro stuff for a real good deal....Audiogon.com or Videogon.com they have a bit more HT stuff

[fronn]

If I could go with anything, honestly:

Two (2) Emotiva XPA-5 to drive...

A set of Linkwitz Labs Orion+ (range from $2200 or so fully DIY to $8200 fully made in various finishes - each speaker requires 4 channels on the amp).

And then a 2 channel Pre-Pro of some sort... not decided on that yet.

You can surely spend a lot more, but I don't believe you can do much better, even at multiple times the cost - anyone who has heard the Orions can testify (though, I'm not sure anyone here has).

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

WOW! To have a 10k+ budget for audio equipment is a dream of mine...

If my dream were to come true I would get one of these and use the rest of the money for components

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/.../Synchrony-One

OR

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...magine-T-Tower

I would be in heaven

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by rarredoa

If I can find digital sources to be as unrestricted as analog, then I will disregard vinyl.

If high resolution digital sources for popular and rock music were still being supported then that might not be a bad idea, but they are not, not by a long shot.

Vinyl is the only choice right now for continued high quality releases in the rock/pop/alternative/metal arenas.

Audiogon has many good sellers with excellent speakers. You can always find good deals on Martin Logan speakers. The $11,000 Martin Logan Summit speakers can be found for just under $7,000 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....mit-Bubinga-Cl

Regular ML Summit (MSRP $11,000) for $5,200 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....mits-Hybrid-El

I would also look at Magnepan - the MG20 on audiogon for $4850 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....rue-ribbon-ful

[rded]

Do you prefer floor standers or bookshelf speakers? How big is the room?

[Djnx]

Have you ever been to a recording studio? Believe me, it will be wiser to use part of the budget for room acoustics, rather than extravagant tube amplifiers.

Will this be for movies too? I could never justify $10,000 for listening mostly to CD's.

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by Djnx

Have you ever been to a recording studio? Believe me, it will be wiser to use part of the budget for room acoustics, rather than extravagant tube amplifiers.

Will this be for movies too? I could never justify $10,000 for listening mostly to CD's.

Why Not ??? You dont like music???

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Djnx

Have you ever been to a recording studio? Believe me, it will be wiser to use part of the budget for room acoustics, rather than extravagant tube amplifiers.

Will this be for movies too? I could never justify $10,000 for listening mostly to CD's.

Could you justify that investment for a HT setup?

[Djnx]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

Why Not ??? You dont like music???

Yep, but for 44.1KHz, 16 Bit audio, I would never encourage to spend $10,000. If you want to go crazy, buy a pair of these:
http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/Genera...x?PId=26&MId=5

and this:
http://www.presonus.com/products/Det...px?ProductId=4
to act as the PC "audio card".

[Djnx]

Originally Posted by John72953

Could you justify that investment for a HT setup?

If you have a room big enough, and you are going to invest in room acoustics, yes.

(Sorry for double posting)