Help a confused newbie build his first setup...


Hello everyone,

After saving my pennies for the last few years, I have finally saved up the money to buy some speakers but to be honest I am confused with two thing and would love everyones opinion. First off, what would be a better bang for the buck, floor standers or monitors?. I am a musician by trade with good ears that listens to everything and love to hear things as truthfully as possible. To me accuracy, neutrality, musicality, and soundstage are very important. For instance, I am not concern about bloated, unrealistic bass, since I know exactly how a bass should sound like. I need a speaker that can handle different situation effectively. Additionally, my living room is connected to a dinning room and kitchen. The living room itself is 20 X 12 with 10 foot high ceiling.

My other concern is how much do I need to spend. Right now all I have is a dac going going to airport express. I was thinking of buying a good speaker first then buying a fairly cheap amp and upgrade later. Is that the right way to go about it? I do know I want to use SS amp for this setup since it is overall easier for me. All this being said, I have collected $1000 so far but am not sure if this would be enough to get a good setup. I do not mind saving up if I have to.

What would be your ideal setup for the following price points (amp included if possible).

$1000

$2000

$3000

Thank you in advance and let me know if you would like more information.
aldres
The spk. will determine what type of amp you'll need. Generally, bookshelf spks are less effeciant and req. a good stand. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. As someone has already said, great pieces of equipment need other great pieces in order to sound their best. You could end up on the merry-go-round. But buying used is the way to go in case you don't like what you hear. A properly put together lower-priced system can sound fantastic. Start w/the speakers first, but don't get something which will need a very expensive other piece of equipment to sound good, unless you have the funds. Good hunting and hope things work out well.
You must go out and listen to speakers and amp combos. There are a few ways to do this. Bear in mind that what you like is correct for you and there is no one right sound. The options are going to a real 2 channel audio retailer with a good selection. Joining an audio group and listening to the members systems and finally getting to one of the big shows. If you don't hear it for yourself then all the audiobabble in the world written here and elsewhere will mean nothing. Sorry that is not giving you much direction but one guy likes Vandersteen 2CEs I don't so what. Another guy loves Hyperions so do I so what. Another likes Spendors etc. None of this means nothing if you don't know what those speakers sound like. It is the only way to go. Sorry.
Hi - as a fellow musician, I can tell you first, that you will not be satisfied with anything smaller than floorstanders, and you will probably want fairly large sized ones at that. Second, I agree with those suggesting that you must not buy speakers without hearing them first. If you don't like your speakers, you won't like anything you are hearing. So I would urge you to not only research, but also listen to everything you can. I took about a year and a half researching and listening to all sorts of equipment before I bought what I did.
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Here let me help ..

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1295662292&/Magneplanar-mg-iiia

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1298640418

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1296264201&/Acoustat-1+1

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298132185&/Acoustat-2+2

You can use the xtra money you saved for a subwoofer if necessary, i would suggest you put it towards a good amplifier, you can find a Thresholds S200 or S300 for the balanced left over for eg.

Stay away from cheap small box speakers the sound will drive you nuts overtime. Ohh ! in case you lost some appendages and need WAF speakers ..

2nd tier choice :

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298414736&/KEF-Model-105 *

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298409151&/ERA-Design-10-Rosewood

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ddspkrfull&1296876489&demo&3&4&

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298577354&/PSB-Image-T5

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1297961635&/Thiel-CS-2.2

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298409142&/Rega-R-5

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298387606&/Quad-21L

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1298311091&/Snell-Acoustics-Type-CV *

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1297784614&/KEF-105

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1297601531&/Role-Audio-Enterprise-black-/

Of course no affiliation, Yaddy , Yadda... Better to start with the panel speakers, the maggies will have more bass than the acoustats, Both will eventually need subwoofers IMO , but closer to sounding like real music at anything near this price point.

Happy hunting .....