Amp recommendation and setup advice please


Hello,

I love music and I adore quality sound - I cannot listen to music on ordinary speakers/devices.

I have been trying to do my research on sound systems/speakers/amps etc.. and learn/understand the whole shebang, but I'm not that much of a tech head. 

I want to buy the Klipsch RF-7 II tower speakers (I think they are passive, hence requiring an amp). 

I want them for both my new TV and also the vinyl/turntable setup I am going for, which is as follows:

Turntable - ProJect Debut Carbon Premium with Ortofon 2M RED (cartridge)
Phono (pre-amp) - ProJect Phono Box DS
Speakers - as above
Subwoofer - thinking either Klipsch R-12SW or R112SW
Amp - ??

I have a few questions:

1. Am I on the right tracks for having all the essentials?
2. Can someone recommend a good amp to power my speakers and sub please, and does the sub need powering or does it have it's own amp? 
3. Do I need a DAC for TV and connection to laptop? If so can you recommend a good one please? I was thinking of Audioengine D1 Premium 24 bit DAC Interface Connector.
4. Please suggest any alternative products if any of the stuff I mentioned are no good or don't fit together that well.
5. How would I set all of this up? Do I need anything else?
6. Do I need more speakers? I'm worried that the sub may be too much bass and drown out the tower speakers. 

I apologise for my lack of knowledge - I've just signed up here because I read that I could get advice and guidance from enthusiasts and experts. I know that my questions and post may frustrate some of you as I may have made some rookie mistakes, and perhaps this type of post has been done a 100 or so times but wasn't sure how to get answers/help. 

Many kind thanks in advance!

Mo
laher
Besides being nice and tidy, what other benefits does an integrated amp (preamp + amp + phono preamp) have? Do you have any recommendations based the budget I mentioned? I don't know too many makes/models. 

Does anyone have any reasons why I shouldn't go with the RF-7 II speakers?

How about DAC? Thoughts and recommendations please?

What sources do you have for the TV?  Satellite?  Bluray/DVD?  Powered speakers are cheap, but you might still have to get some sort of HT Processor to handle the audio/video.  It may be best just to look for an inexpensive AV Receiver and pair with some good but economical speakers.  The ELAC B6 booshelf speakers (designed by Andrew Jones) have been known to be very excellent.  Then pair with a used AV Receiver.  You are still pushing $600-800 for this.

As far as the turntable system, one item that comes to mind is the Parasound Halo Integrated.  Obviously, it is a preamp/amplifier combination, but it also has both a DAC and a phono preamp built in.  The unit has a USB input for the DAC, so you can connect your computer directly to it.  I think used ones typically come up for around $1600-1800.  There's a new-in-box one on ebay for $1999.  Just search for "parasound halo integrated".  It also has an analog crossover and subwoofer output that would allow you to add a powered sub at anytime.  It's very versatile.

There are other great integrateds, such as Hegel.  Some of them will have a DAC built in.  Almost none will have a phono preamp.  You can definitely get better sound quality by having a separate DAC and phono preamp, but it can get expensive.  You should probably post questions in other forums.  Use the Analog forum for phono preamp questions.  Use the Digital forum for DAC questions.

One DAC that comes to mind is the Gustard X20 Pro, with USB input for $869.  This has been known to be a really excellent DAC for the money and will match DACs that are much more expensive.

As far as speakers, this is very personal as everyone has a different idea of what they like.  I would recommend just going out and listening to different speakers to get an idea of the "kind of sound" you like.  Certain brands have their own sonic signature and it will help to dial in the type of sound you are looking for.  Speakers sound very different.

Check out Peachtree audio. They make some very solid integrated amps that have a built in DAC as well, though I can't remember if they have a built in phono too.. but they look great and apparently sound lovely. They utilize class D amps..
I believe you are on the right track keeping the TV and music systems separate.  One option, check out the Yamaha 801 integrated amp. It has phonostage and DAC, has subwoofer output, at 100wpc will drive most an speaker in your price range. Retail is under $1000. 

As auxinput posted, speaker choice is very subjective. You need to audition a few and make your own decision.  
Thanks again all for your input. 

auxinput:
The sources for TV will just be satellite, no Bluray or DVD. Those Elac B6 speakers seem like a great choice, and I assume you mention them because they are better than the Audioengine A5+ speakers? Could you also recommend a good AV receiver to go with them please?

Thanks for the advice on posting in other forums. I'll do that for the phono preamp and DAC. But thanks for recommending the Gustard X20 Pro. Before I move the phone preamp to another forum, I'd appreciate your recommendation on a good one to suit.

I know speakers are personal and everyone says I should go and listen, but I don't know of any decent hi-fi store that has these types of speakers and equipment to check out. 

toddverone:
Those Peachtree Audio amps look amazing. I'll take a deeper look to see if any have built in phono preamp. Thanks for suggesting. 

mesch:
Thanks for the integrated amp recommendation. And yes I have definitely decided to keep the TV and music systems separate. How does the Yahama 801 compare to the Parasound Halo? 

auxinput, same question to you?