I appreciate the responses. I am curious about those that encourage me to listen to all these components before buying them.
There are two things about this. First, I don't know how it is feasible to be able to test this equipment before buying it. If I buy some products new, certainly I could have a window where I could return them if I didn't like them. But for a novide audiophile, how would I even have the experience to be able to tell how "good" something is in relation to other high end products? And I would think in many cases it would take longer than the traditional return period to really "break in" the speakers and get accustomed to the sound.
I really don't know of a good way to listen to the Magnepan speakers without buying them. Could you tell me why some people "hate" them? They sound quite appealing to me and I can't imagine not being happy with them.
I mean, my budget is pretty tight so its not like I have a TON of options regarding the components I can buy.
I think it might be reasonable to get a basic system up and running, become comfortable with it, and then in six months to a year or more, I could easily trade the DAC or Amp for something else if I wanted to tweak the sound signature.
As to the person recommending I go for used 3.6's, I can't do that at this time. I don't have the ability to stretch to $2500 to $3000 for speakers at this time.
I would like some more suggestions on the best DAC to get. I will probably get this first. I have some headphones (Hifiman HE-400) which don't have any good source to listen from, so I would like to be able to use them with a good quality DAC in the meantime.
I would prefer not to spend much more than $500. And of course I want it to be good enough to power the 1.7's to their full potential. I wouldn't want it to be the weak link in the system.
Any more specifics on DAC recommendations?
There are two things about this. First, I don't know how it is feasible to be able to test this equipment before buying it. If I buy some products new, certainly I could have a window where I could return them if I didn't like them. But for a novide audiophile, how would I even have the experience to be able to tell how "good" something is in relation to other high end products? And I would think in many cases it would take longer than the traditional return period to really "break in" the speakers and get accustomed to the sound.
I really don't know of a good way to listen to the Magnepan speakers without buying them. Could you tell me why some people "hate" them? They sound quite appealing to me and I can't imagine not being happy with them.
I mean, my budget is pretty tight so its not like I have a TON of options regarding the components I can buy.
I think it might be reasonable to get a basic system up and running, become comfortable with it, and then in six months to a year or more, I could easily trade the DAC or Amp for something else if I wanted to tweak the sound signature.
As to the person recommending I go for used 3.6's, I can't do that at this time. I don't have the ability to stretch to $2500 to $3000 for speakers at this time.
I would like some more suggestions on the best DAC to get. I will probably get this first. I have some headphones (Hifiman HE-400) which don't have any good source to listen from, so I would like to be able to use them with a good quality DAC in the meantime.
I would prefer not to spend much more than $500. And of course I want it to be good enough to power the 1.7's to their full potential. I wouldn't want it to be the weak link in the system.
Any more specifics on DAC recommendations?