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Opinions please on a starter audiophile system?

I am in the process of completely revamping a long standing 2 channel stereo system consisting of older Polks, big box store sony cd / amp.
I suppose I could classified as a "newbie" to audiophile components but believe I can drastically upgrade with a desired budget of $4K.
Would love to hear opinions and thoughts on amp/cd/speaker components that fit that budget.
Have researched much, auditioned little, though trying to finally go hear, make a choice and get off the audio merry goround.
Musically we listen to a variety of stuff - jazz, folk, rock, jambands, lots of archive.org stuff. Logistically, the system will reside in the living room 14x 18 of a 9 foot ceiling'd post and beam house with open floor plan. HELP? Much thanks.
sjwsjw999
robertbrown
151 posts
 
amp/intergrated http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatran&1278610295&/Plinius-8200-mkII-
speakers http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1278337005&/Totem-Forest-Mint--Cherry
DAC http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1277163858&/MSB-link-lll-with-24/132k-upsa
CABLES http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?cablspkr&1279228691&/Analysis-Plus-Oval-9-black/yel
AND SOURCE MAB ILINK USE $1000
peter_s
1,088 posts
 
Tell us more about the kind of sound you like. What is important to you?
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Getting off the merry-go-round implies being able to make some nice final choices. That requires listening to a bunch of different speaker/amp combinations to find out what gets you 'that feeling.' This means discovering the relationship between Peter_s' question and the amp/speaker combo. For me, it is efficient speakers which go low and tube amps. I would recommend listening to systems where you can to get a feeling of what kind of sound does it for you and THEN asking the same question.

For that price, for jazz/folk/rock/jambands, and an expectation to listen to the same system with no real change for the next 20 years, and a $4k budget, I would choose Altec Model 19 speakers, an integrated tube amp like a Manley Stingray or similar (or some DIY tube amp kits through Bottlehead - you can build them yourself but they also come up on Audiogon from time to time), and your choice of CDP/digital. Personally, I would go for a music server through a 'Buffalo DAC' (twistedpearaudio.com) but that would require some DIY for the DAC. Cables would be your choice or roll-your-own.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Keep Polks.
Buy used stuff. Adcom, Bryston..
Skip cables/ use cheap stuff.
enjoy.
elevick
2,439 posts
 
You can get a lot of stereo for $4000. Keep in mind that it will sound very different at home than in a store. Don't be afraid to drag an amp and pre around to test speakers or even bring gear home to try on your speakers.
I'd revamp the entire system. Spend equally on each piece. Do you need dvd instead of cd? Most blue ray players make excellent cd players. Speakers have changed a lot in 20 years. Small satellites with or without a sub can be great. Don't get cheap on the stands though. Finally, do you want radio? You can always add a really cheap tuner but it may be much cleaner to be built into a pre.
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