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

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.

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

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

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

Jane, I would say this: take your time, don't feel pressured in to anything. In this day and age, when so much hifi gear is sold used (on this site), your dealer is lucky to have a client who wants to work with him in the traditional way. He should certainly be accomodating.

The 805's are very nice speakers. Do they come with stands - they should - and they should be set up a bit "out" in the room. I'm not too sold on the Rotel receiver - I think you could do better. I think you want a warm sounding amplifier, not too sterile, with the B&W's. As I said before, if you are purely listening to digital and internet radio, you can use the Benchmark as your preamp. I think the Benchmark is a bit sterile sounding, all the more reason to get a warm sounding amplifier.

Not sure what you mean about the 805's not working together. That's a bit of a red flag - please explain. Also, be aware that the Benchmark has had a few iterations over the years, and the newest version is the best. I don't know how old the dealer's demo is, but this is something to consider.

Finally, make sure you rip your music to the hard drive using a lossless format, such as FLAC or Apple Lossless (for itunes). You will want to buy an external hard drive (they are cheap) to back up all your music.

Hope that's not too much information. Peter