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newbiee needs veterans advice

I am starting a home stereo system at a minimum wages pace. I stated with 601 Dm S2 speakers, and was going to purchase a Denon AVR 2803 amp. Now I am considering a tube like a Mcintosh mc-30,mc-40,mc-60 depending on price and shape of equipment. What is a preamp for,what do they do. Are B&W 601 DMS2 good speakers to start with to match with a tube amp. I hear some speakers do not go well with tube amps. Would you recomend another set of quality bookshelf speakers that match tube amps, or B&W Ok. I think I'm getting caught in the more expensive the better sounding it will be idea instead of matching equipment. I know this is an expensive hobby,but i am afraid I'll buy a component with stuff i don't need or won't appreciate. Have invested to much in collecting music to foul up stereo. I am considering a audio illussion pre-amp 2C because I'm copying another guys system on the web who has a pair of Micintosh MC-30 amps, will this sound great. Why does he have a pair of these amps instead of just one? Is it true tube amps have little bass? Will a good pre-amp fix this, or is that what I should avoid in a pre-amp? My goal is to be so satisfied that I'll never buy amps or pre amps again. But I am anxiuos and would like to buy parts in the 1500 range because again, at minimum wages pace, this will take about a year to get a complete system around 1500 dollars a pice and I can't wait to finish. The only parts I'd buy are bigger speakers if I get a bigger space.I live in a small space;sound listening area might benifit with another pair of shelf speakers, but floorstanding will be to big?Please help. Any ansewer to any of these top or bottom questions will be a big help. What is a good tube pre-amp for micintosh tube amps. What is the 2C stand for in audio illusions preamp, I can't find on web. If it means 2 channel, whats that mean or what beniffit is it. What do amp channels mean,why the more the better. Do the 2C on the audible illusion pre-amp or channels on an amp have to do with sound? Is a pre-amp with an external power supply better?Why?I listen to rock and jazz mainly, can you recomend a system and/or preamp that would be amazing sounding and life time satisfiying. Need true, rough as it may be advice. All info I read sounds like a sales pitch. Thank you
poolglow1d
bomarc
501 posts
 
SLOW DOWN!!!!!

Your'e spending all kinds of money, and committing yourself to spending all kinds of other money later, before you've gotten over the basics. Take your time.

I gather you don't have a lot of money. That's fine--you really don't have to be rich to be an audiophile. People have come on here asking about $500 systems, and gotten good advice.

Now, about these 601s. Do you own them already, or have you just decided that they're the ones you want? And did you decide that by going out and listening to a whole lot of speakers, or by reading about them? Because reading about them, and copying someone else's system, is not, not, not, not, NOT the way to go about this. The way to go about this is to learn what you need to know in order to make your own decisions.

The most important questions are, what's your budget, and what media do you want to be able to play (CD, SACD, DVD-A, DVD-V, MP3, LP, etc.). Don't think in terms of upgrades right now. Let's just build you a good system you can afford in the near future, and let the far future take care of itself.
qdraw
8 posts
 
There's a book called High-End Audio written by Robert Harley. It may be a good place for you to take the first step of the journey...
baileyje
45 posts
 
Great advice, and I read it with great interest.

I'm also a "newbie" who needs veteran advice. I'm an ex-music teacher, ex-folk singer who is facing retirement and didn't have any stereo. I have told my friends I'm going to buy a used system for not much money and incorporate the "dink" system. No, that's not "D-ual, I-ncome, N-o, K-ids!! It means I want to "dink around" with my new hobby. I know nothing, but my motto will be "Learn First, Upgrade Later."

Presently I have purchased a factory reconditioned Yamaha Rx-596 receiver($179) and a Yamaha CDC-845 demo CD changer($129). I purchased Yamaha for the time being because my local stereo shop guy told me they would be adequate and were "work horses." I have them hooked up to old JVC 50 watt speakers from a bookshelf stereo system with a broken cartridge CD changer(free). Now, I can, at least, listen to music while I shop for speakers.

This is fun!!

I would like advice for speakers. I have liked the sound of stand mounted speakers better than floor speakers. The heavier bass sound seems to get in the way of what I want to hear. I listen mostly to classical, especially choral, Celtic and folk music, with an occasional slip into classic rock and bluegrass. The speakers I have most appreciated have been the B&W 601's and 602's, followed closely by the Paradigm Studio 20's and 40's. Any opinions offered on those speakers or any other similar speakers would be greatly appreciated. Oh, by the way, I plan to spend $200 to $400 for used speakers.

After I get the speakers, I will have $500-$700 invested and will be listening to a good solid system. Let the "DINKING" begin.

Thanks again for the advice.
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