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Best Value System

A lot of stuff has been written about how great this or that piece of hifi gear was and we are all familiar with such talk. Yes, we can talk about THE very best system available but how many can afford that very best system?
So, I think we should talk about the best value systems available. Yes, there are many such systems as well and maybe you good folks out there can make some suggestions so that the not so experienced players like me can benefit.
Even though I am relatively inexperienced, I am not new to hifi. I have listened to systems ranging from a couple of thousand to about a hundred K.
After going through this humbling experience, I found what I thought was my best value system and that is:
Any reasonable quality cdp with a volume control and this can be had for less than $1000 used. You can then run it straight to the ATC SCM 100 ASL (New $14000, used-between 8-10K. You only need 1 pr of interconnect. So, for between 10-15K, you can have a world class system. From there on you can slowly upgrade the front end (and maybe, add a supratek pre) You can spend many times more and you may not even get this sound quality.
I hope this doesn't bore you. After all, I believe this forum is all about value.
Enjoy.
thf
55dok
162 posts
 
The sound of any system is room dependent, especially with planar speakers. This is my "budget" system for planar speakers:
Magnepan 1.6 QR ($750 used)
luxman R-117 receiver ($285 used)
sony CDP 75es 5 disc CD player ($100-150 used)
McCormack DAC deluxe ($285 used)
nordost superflatline shotgun cable 3M ($50 used)
Sonicwave 280 strand glass toslink 1M ($23 new)
Belden 89259 interconnects ($15 used)
powervar 12 line conditioner ($99 used)
Shipping costs approx $150
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Thf, perhaps I wasn't clear either. What I was trying to say is that in my opinion and experience, there is no such thing as a 'best system' unless those ingredients I listed above have been properly addressed.

Metaphorically, you are a house builder and you are asking for specifics on how to build the best house possible. Yet you don't want to discuss what type of foundation in which to build on. Or perhaps you are simply unaware of it's signifiance.

I've heard way too many systems retailing for well over $100k that sounded no better than a $5k system. Simply because their configurations had no regard for the basic building blocks.

-IMO
aroc
760 posts
 
Stehno nailed it. Timf it is: Power, Resonance Control, and Acoustics. Assuming you have quality components, the cost isn't really anything to get hung up on. Buy whatever you can afford that sounds good to you (with your music, in your room). :-)

It can cost anywhere from $2k to $12k. But you can certainly spend more. But I would be sure to address the "big three" before you plunk down the big bucks (goes without saying around here - so I'm preaching to the choir).
thf OP
54 posts
 
Stehno, I understood what you were trying to say. Supposing you have addressed all those issues as listed by you, what would you suggest as your best value system? Maybe, a system that you can live happily with for the next 5-10 years.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
I don't think you do understand. If you did, then you would realize that when the right foundation is in place, there are many more systems that could potentially be deemed a best value.

Nevertheless, since my own system has remained nearly unchanged for over two years and it's easily the best I've heard, I could point you toward my own system.

But that wouldn't go over very well, now would it?

-IMO
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