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Help in putting together my system with used equipment on Audiogon and eBay.

I’m looking for the best bang for the buck. What equipment can I find that would make the best system for my budget ($8000)? I'm starting out with:

Pass Labs X1 Preamp, my rock to start with. I got it for $2500 This is where you can help me the most. Let me know your best match for this pre-amp, or the ones you have found to be the best you have heard!

Bryston 4B SST amp for about $1700. It’s been my experience that more power wakes up a speaker and pins it’s ears back. At 300wpc and the reviews on this amp I picked it, but just to start. I really need some experienced people to give me recommendations for the amp, or if the Bryston is a winner. I can sell this for a better amp.

Do I need a DAC?

Phono. I’ve realized that might be a big reason why people go to separates isn’t it? I’d like to hear some comments on this. If you have separates and no phono, what do you use? Stream music? CD’s?

CD player? I do have a lot of CD’s. With separates, it’s either phono, cd, or streaming correct?

I’m not really a phono guy, but I know which albums I would buy so it is an option. I wouldn’t know a good phono if you hit me with it. Please recommend a few.

I’m leaning toward B&W speakers just because of their reputation. I may spend up to 5k on a good pair of speakers, but I want them to be used and costing much more when bought new. I know how to spot a good deal and not buy speakers on their death bed (from reputable sellers), but I need your recommendations too. You all have heard more speakers than I ever have and will.

**I’m going to check this post often and answer any questions and write down your recommendations.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR THIS, IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME!
128x128imabucfan
dwmaggie
222 posts
 
So many choices, so many recommendations.  My opinion will be different than others.  The Pass and Bryston should make a great combination.  The Brystons have been reviewed as analytical or bright, I don't know....  most have been beyond my price point.  Your hearing, at 65 and ex military, you may or may not be able to hear much above 12-15K.  The Martin Logans will be on the bright side, I have a pair of Clarities.  I'm 70 so the MLs compensate for my hearing loss in the highest registers.  I also use Magnepans, they are, an all day speaker if you will, never fatiguing to my ears.  You should be able to hear any of the recommended speakers somewhere near you.  When trying out speakers take your own CD's, music you are familiar with, preferable music you have heard live from the artist.  The great speaker demos are records and CD's that show off the best of a speaker, and can show off the worst, just don't let the dealer use only their recordings.
malatu
58 posts
 
I went through a similar process you are going through. I originally had a budget of about 5,000. I ended up spending four times my original budget. If I was embarking on that process again with your budget (assuming you stick to it), this is what I would do:
Sorry, but I’ll reiterate another poster’s suggestion- Sell the preamp and get an integrated amp. My suggestions on purchases are on new equipment. If you can get used, even better.
Primaluna Integrated amp - $4,000Focal Aria 936 Floor Standing speakers - $2,800 (on sale at a vendor in California, regularly 3,999). If you don’t like em’ you have 60 days to return them.

My thought is this: This integrated amp and speakers could act as the core of your system that hopefully, you could be happy with for years. That will leave you $1,200 to put together a digital system. You could then grow your system from this point. Disclaimer: I bought the Primaluna and the Focals about 8 months ago and am so very very pleased with those two items. I listen to vinyl 90% of the time for my digital system can’t hold a candle to my turntable setup. The difference for me is night and day! In addition, buying albums, taking them home, cleaning them and the anticipation of "what’s it going to sound like" and the associated anticipation, makes me happy! Sometimes I get goosebumps when listening to a moving piece of music on a kick-a-- pressing! Cheers and good luck with your decisions.

imabucfan's avatar
imabucfan OP
52 posts
 
ovinwar thanks for the link I'll look into those. jsautter I will most likely buy a Pass x125 when I can afford the additional $ after selling my Bryston (unless I love the Bryston). david_ten I have a flex budget but the amps ARE included so the difference goes to speakers. 4diagrams I will look into the Goldenear Triton speakers! dwmaggie I ruled out Magnapan's because I want to hear bass, and also the space requirements for them. I'll take your suggestions, I have a Best Buy near me but I don't know how much audiophile equipment they have on the floor, if any! malatu I laughed at your post! I feel like my budget, although seemingly on target, will be surpassed by selling and buying amps/speakers if I am not satisfied! I think I will be ok if I can find the right speakers! I'm going to give separates a shot first because I already have them being shipped to me. It's speaker selection that is kicking my a** right now. Thanks everyone, please keep the suggestions especially for music streaming gear and speakers coming!
rbstehno
1,454 posts
 
Totally untrue about an integrated will better any separates. If you limit yourself to $1000, possibly, but after that, going separates Will get you a better system.

To make recommendations, you really need to make some decisions.
You seem you are up int the air on phono, if you are, don’t get a turntable. I just sold my $14k analog setup and more than happy with my digital setup, which outperformed my analog setup. If you go strictly digital, for $8k, all you need is a network dac like the ps audio DS sr or even the jr, and the best amp you can find for the remaining $$$ of your budget. I go directly from my DS sr dac into my ps audio amp without needing a preamp (flexibility of owning separates). You can use any computer with a decent processor and 16G of ram to run Roon, and you will run Roon on your phone or iPad. Not all dacs can do this, they are either noisy or don’t have the ability to drive an amp, then you need to use a preamp.
when I sold my tt, I also eliminated using my McIntosh c47 preamp. Keep it simple.
jdesj's avatar
jdesj
24 posts
 
I’ve had experience with B&W speakers. Lovely top-end, no bass. Great for sound engineers and the like, boring for regular folk who want to feel the music. 
May I suggest keeping the equipment you have for now and buy BIG full-range speakers. Maybe Klipsch Cornwall IVs. Great sound immediately. Upgrade when you feel it’s time. 
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