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Finally saved 3000 what is a good setup.

After year trolling this website and saving I have finally earned 3K to spend on a system. Currently I am using some old Sony studio speakers my friend gave a few years back but now its time for a change. I am firmly in the digital camp and have been using a Squeezebox for the last few years and have transferred much of my collection onto a hard drive. What I need advice how to split 3000 between a set of speakers and an integrated amp or power amp (my setup now and use the digital volume on the SB).

To help with suggestion, my living room in going to be my main setup. The room is 18 X 14 X 10 with carpeted floors. I have room to spread these puppies at most 8 - 10 feet apart. I don't care if their monitors or floor standers but cannot be panel. I am married and my wife, who is also into music, would not like something that will dominate the household.

Heres a little about me. I am a studio musician and teacher by trade. In addition, I listen to all types of music, considering I am exposed to so much different types of music at the studio, and regularly go to live concerts to see a wide variety of music. As such, my idea deal speaker is true to the source without adding too much, makes me feel like I am actually one of those live concerts, is realistic, and just disappear. I know for many bass is key but I like honest bass not the exaggerated bass that so many speakers produce IMO.

So what you think. What would be a good combination?
aldres
nvp
317 posts
 
Like Ddd1 has already advised you, get the best amplified studio monitors you can, e.g. Mackie, Dynaudio, Genelec, Focal, etc. If you still have some money left after buying the speaker get a DAC with an analog volume control, but IMO this is less important (you can always get one of those next time you have some money in your hands). Since you are a studio musician you are used to listen to studio monitors and you might fine the hi-fi/hi-end speakers disappointing. Very few hi-fi/hi-end speakers can play every type of music right and even fewer are able to reproduce the dynamic of live music realistically.

However, if for whatever reason, you would like to stay away from studio monitors, than get a NAD or ROTEL pre/power combo and the best speakers you can afford. Another good choice is a Musical Fidelity A5 integrated and again the best speakers you can get.

Good luck!
Paul
billybob7088's avatar
billybob7088
24 posts
 
If it was me I would start off getting the best DAC you can find. Get a nice int amp and a good set of monitors. You can go in may directions. I have a nice Creek Evo and EPOS speakers myself. My sources are a PS1 and Rega table. If I using a squeeze box or other comp source the DAC would be the most important part of the system IMO.
eldragon
707 posts
 
Vandersteen 3a Sig used and Behringer EP1500 amp with the volume controls.
nvp
317 posts
 
I disagree with Billybob7088. DACs and CD players only get cheaper and arguably better, i.e. decently priced DACs and CD players are often comparable with older and very expensive units). With the speakers the trend is exactly opposite, i.e. new models cost more without being significantly better (if at all) than the previous models.
bondmanp
1,805 posts
 
For my $3K, I would consider a Peachtree amp/DAC combo like this:

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3370-peachtree-nova.aspx

and a pair of Silverline Audio Preludes:

http://www.silverlineaudio.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=77

That will leave you $300 for cables, shipping, taxes, etc. You will need a decent digital cable. Try the Mapleshade:

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Clearview-Ultrathin-Digital-Interconnect/productinfo/UDIC/

For decent speaker cables, try Audio Art:

http://www.audioartcable.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AAC%2DSC5%2DBANANA

As a bonus, most of these are available with a return option, so if you're not happy, you can try something else. That excludes the Silverline speakers, however. But having heard them, I'd be surprised if you weren't happy with them, especially at their price. Of course, YMMV.
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