Sometimes I can’t believe all the BS people write when someone ask for advice. The only valid conclusion I can come up with is that people mean well but lack experience. Thomas, of course you can build your dream system within your budget and even much less. I own very, very expensive gear in addition to collector items and lots of $ doesn’t necessarily buy good sound and synergy. You can build an unbelievable system with budget items. I highly recommend purchasing some of the older “bargain” items from the late 50’s, to the 90’s. Tons of great gear that can STILL outperform many of today’s items. And don’t discount stuff based on company reputation; many Dynaco tube amps were better sounding than companies like Macintosh or Fisher tube amps. I have about 20 tube amps in my home costing $20,000 down to my cheapest $600 tube amp and even my cheapest amp, when set up correctly will sound totally amazing and a sound to die for. My biggest advice, erase your idea of the speakers you want, and start new. listen and get the most transparent and neutral sounding speaker. Build from there. Keep it simple, don’t waste money, buy smart, research forums of old school audiophiles and stay away from people that have just jumped into this hobby in the last 10yrs. They mean well but do not have the knowledge nor experience as someone who has been around for 30 or 40 yrs. I do own state of the art equipment but I still am quite amazed and attracted at the detail, resolution and realistic clarity of sound when I listen to my vintage stuff from the 50’s to 80’s. Get a preamp with tone controls and do not listen to the BS out there. One of my best sounding vintage preamps has tone controls, the Marantz 7 serial # 14,xxx and it sounds so super transparent and wonderful. It recently outperformed by buddy’s “New Production” $7000 BAT preamp. The Marantz is expensive but there are tons of other preamps to buy that are cheap and fabulous sounding. The secret to buying great stuff - research forums.
