2. cables
  3. 1020777664

Best system for the budding audiophile?

What began as a search for new speakers has rapidly evolved into the development of a new system. After reading many reviews (none of which are negative - Hmmm?!), I am humbly turning to this sage group for recommendations.

I am an avid listener of classical and jazz. I occasionally listen to select blues and rock, but that's not my first love. For me, I like a piano to sound like a piano, a guitar like a guitar, etc. No coloration, just the facts, so to speak. I am not a bass hound but prefer a detailed midrange and clear highs. I also look for a open spacious sound stage for symphonic pieces. I have a large room 15' by 20' but can't be too fussy with placement. I am budgeting around $5,000 for my new system.

Based on this information, what system would you build (Amp, CD player, speakers)? which is better bookshelf speakers with stands or floorstanding? I appreciate any advice you might have.

Thanks in advance,
cdilascia
jameswei
795 posts
 
Try: Proac 1SC speakers (estd $1000-1500 used with stands), Pass Aleph 3 amp ($1000 used on Audiogon), Pass Aleph P preamp ($1700 used on Audiogon), California Audio Labs CL20 ($1100 used on Audiogon). Start with cheap interconnects and zip cord for speaker cable and upgrade later. The total would be $4800-5300 as listed. If you want to shave the number down to have more to spend on cables, etc, I suggest you trade down on the preamp. You can get a decent one for $500-1000 used on Audiogon.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
James, since you are starting, just about anything that is good high end will do. I have never had that kind of cash to throw in at once!

Your statement saying "I have a large room 15' by 20' but can't be too fussy with placement" indicates two things to me:

1) Your wife's got her setup the way *she* wants.
2) You don't want to go through the learning curve.

Speaker placement is absolutely critical--even if you buy Bose...now, some speakers are less placement sensitive. My Swans M1 are an example. They have a controlled dispersion ribbon tweeter that is less finicky of room interactions. It works.

Whatever you do, make sure you either get a dedicated line or get power line filtration properly taken care of. Search the files.

Regards,

P/A
danner
202 posts
 
Here are some questions you need to answer for yourself (my choices in parentheses):
Tube or solid State? (tube)
Power? (3.5w~94dB/w spkr sensitivity; 7w~91dB/w; 15w~88dB/w)
Preamp or amp with volume control? (preamp eventually)
Floor standers or Monitors? (floor standers)
Copper, silver/copper, or silver interconnects? (copper)
Copper, silver/copper, or silver speaker cable? (copper)
Good luck and have fun.
More to discover