Frankly, you should send your room measurements to GIK and have them recommend treatments. You'll never regret this as your first step.
Building a new system for about 5 grand
I haven't been a member here long, so forgive me if this is a repeat question.
If I have about $5000 and want to put together a quality system, where I do put the most money? I've heard speakers; others have said power source. Some say spend about equally on all components. I'd like to hear some direct answers to the question from Audiogon members (if you have to point me to an earlier forum, great).
A few things that might help:
1. My system is in a living room that is far from audio friendly. It measures about 18'x16', with some angles and openings, along with a large open area coming off one side and leading to the dining room (where I have my study). Wood floors, French doors with lots of glass about 5 feet behind the sofa, and no chance of making any adjustments (adding thick curtains, carpet or rugs, or eliminating all furniture apart from a chair and a small bourbon table).
2. I have floor standing speakers now, and they fit the room fairly well. I'm not averse to bookshelf speakers on stands, though.
3. I play some vinyl and mostly cd's. That's not likely to change. A Bluesound streamer will likely be added down the road, but shouldn't figure in to the 5 grand limit.
4. I am willing to buy used, except perhaps the cd player (or sacd/cd), unless it's under about 3 years old. I worry about older units that have wear and won't have readily available parts. If I'm being too restrictive on this, please set me straight.
5. Our tv and Blue-ray player (on which I also play SACD's) are hooked up to my power source. I'm not at all interested in an AV receiver, surround sound, or adding a sub. Two speakers only.
6, and most important. I love listening to music; I love learning about, dreaming about, scheming about, audio. I love all the time I spending browsing on Audiogon. But I love my wife more. That directly addresses the price limit, the room set up, and the number of speakers.
Again, that first question about how to spend money is important to me, though a little puzzling. Spending more on speakers is my instinct at this point; I'm glad to be corrected.
Thanks.
If I have about $5000 and want to put together a quality system, where I do put the most money? I've heard speakers; others have said power source. Some say spend about equally on all components. I'd like to hear some direct answers to the question from Audiogon members (if you have to point me to an earlier forum, great).
A few things that might help:
1. My system is in a living room that is far from audio friendly. It measures about 18'x16', with some angles and openings, along with a large open area coming off one side and leading to the dining room (where I have my study). Wood floors, French doors with lots of glass about 5 feet behind the sofa, and no chance of making any adjustments (adding thick curtains, carpet or rugs, or eliminating all furniture apart from a chair and a small bourbon table).
2. I have floor standing speakers now, and they fit the room fairly well. I'm not averse to bookshelf speakers on stands, though.
3. I play some vinyl and mostly cd's. That's not likely to change. A Bluesound streamer will likely be added down the road, but shouldn't figure in to the 5 grand limit.
4. I am willing to buy used, except perhaps the cd player (or sacd/cd), unless it's under about 3 years old. I worry about older units that have wear and won't have readily available parts. If I'm being too restrictive on this, please set me straight.
5. Our tv and Blue-ray player (on which I also play SACD's) are hooked up to my power source. I'm not at all interested in an AV receiver, surround sound, or adding a sub. Two speakers only.
6, and most important. I love listening to music; I love learning about, dreaming about, scheming about, audio. I love all the time I spending browsing on Audiogon. But I love my wife more. That directly addresses the price limit, the room set up, and the number of speakers.
Again, that first question about how to spend money is important to me, though a little puzzling. Spending more on speakers is my instinct at this point; I'm glad to be corrected.
Thanks.
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- 25 posts total
There are a lot of options out there, but the most important things are: 1. The system should be balanced unless you plan on constant upgrades (eg, don’t buy a $4K integrated and $500 speakers). I think in general components should cost about the same as each other with the only exception being the speakers, which should cost about double your component and integrateds which replace 2 components. So for $5k, I would budget something like $2k for speakers, $1500 for an integrated, $750 for a turntable/cartridge combo, $500 for a DAC, and $750 for cables. 2. Start with the speakers - these have the most coloration and the widest requirement range for upstream components. Speakers sound extremely different. It is a taste issue more than a quality issue. Kind of like cars, do you want a lightweight car like a lotus (sort of akin to a tube/hi efficiency speaker system) or a muscle car like a Hellcat (big class A/B with big hard to drive speakers)? Do you like a warm sound, a dynamic sound, or an analytical sound? Speakers to check out before you buy which give you a wide range that will heals you narrow your taste: Magnepans (it never ceases to shock me how good these are for the money - but they are not very dynamic and need some good power), Klipsch (highly efficient and colored but very fun - will let you use a little tube integrated), Tekton (highly efficient, dynamic, and not super colored). Once you pick the speakers, then pick the amp and upstream components. My only other suggestion is to spend more on your cartridge than you might think. I think a $750 turntable should be about $350 turntable and $400 cartridge. And finally, buy used if you care about resale, but getting new at 15% off from a dealer will save you a lot of headaches. They know how to build a system that has synergy. Let them do their thing and help you put something great together - you can replace the middleman, but he makes your life so much easier. |
Take a look at Buchardt Audio out of Denmark. The floorstanders are just outside your budget, however your overall cost will be much lower since this is a near all in one system. Their stand mounts come in much lower. The shipping and return policies are excellent. Your wife may also appreciate less component clutter and exposed wires, etc. https://www.buchardtaudio.com/products |
Swspeakers’ Swoxx active stand mount is another similar option, though not as fully "all-in-one" as the Buchardt. https://swspeakers.com/product/swoxx-hazelnut-wood/ |
Are you dizzy yet Anton? I think Jamesdowning elliot has some good advise except for the Tektons. They are garbage. Cheap Garbage. Every speaker except the best ESLs are colored more or less. Like I said, buy new and establish yourself with a dealer and you will in the end get better pricing and service. Try not to buy speakers you have not heard. Take your time and travel around. Magneplanar Speakers have been mentioned and I really like them except they will not go down well with the wife and you will have to spend much more on an amp to drive them. Just not practical in your situation. Pay attention to specs. You want speakers that are more than 90dB/1watt/1 meter |
- 25 posts total