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ProAcs or B&W--Not hifi experienced, but luv music

I have a 5K budget for a compact system. I have looked at three systems. The 4K setup is a Linn Classik w ProAc Tablette Signatures. The 6K one is Rotel receiver w/ B&W 805s w/a Mac Book as the CD player and a Benchmark digital to analog converter. The store is giving me a discount on demo stuff. I would be willing to spend the extra $$$ as that includes a notebook, on-line radio, etc. I like both of these. The third option is B&O at 5K. This is pretty but the the sound doesn't justify the $$$. I enjoy listening to international, classical, putamayo, jazz, latin. Which do you think is the better system?
j4tonks
beavis
272 posts
 
Follow Dave’s advice!

Look at something like a Decware Select Zen Taboo model SE84TS (Tube Integrated) @ $1K, Decware HDT (High Definition Tower) Single Driver Speakers @ $1.7K w/Macintosh: MacBook @ 1.3K & buy good ICs & Speaker Cables. All told, about $4K. Not everyones cup of tea but I doubt you’d find something more musical near the price.
peter_s
1,335 posts
 
Dave, I think you are mistaken about using an Ipod as a source. Unless you are talking about buying the new Wadia Ipod digital music extractor and routing that to a good DAC, the output on an ipod is limited to analog using the Ipod's internal DAC. That will pale in contrast to getting digital out of a computer (e.g. thru USB) and converting it with a good d/a converter like the Benchmark. I agree with your comment about tuning in to the speakers though.

J4Tonks - I don't know the retail value of these items. If you are only going to listen to digital, I would can the Rotel receiver and see if he can hook you up with a good amplifier that can work well with the volume control on the Benchmark. Benchmark now offers a preamp version of their DAC - I think that meants that it has analog input, and you could use that for your preamp. Do focus on the speakers, the Proacs and the B&W's are very different.
j4tonks OP
12 posts
 
I'm listening as this is all new to me. I have learned to focus on the speakers. I like the B&W as the ProAcs seem to be a little light in bass. However the B&W 805s that I listened to didn't work together at first. I'm going back to listen again. This is very confusing, but I think I will piece all this together, if you can help. Thanks. Jane
j4tonks OP
12 posts
 
By the way -- I wanted the Mac and hard drive so I could store my music and to listen to internet radio. Please keep up w/the advise. I need it. Thanks, J
j4tonks OP
12 posts
 
Dave -- Do you think the ProAcs are better? They were shipped for me, since they are signatures, but I don't know if the retailer would let me take them to listen to next to the B&Ws then return if I like the B&W better. Thanks, Jane
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