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Starting from scratch and say $5000

my original post (written, edited, then lost to the cloud) was: "Will I regret selling my McIntosh gear"  I will let it remain in the netherworld and rephrase as above. Truth is I bought an MC2155, C33, and XRT 18 speakers about 15 years ago but because of moves and family stuff, never got a chance to deploy them until this last fall when we became an empty nesters (not the speakers; bad surrounds). Lugging the heavy McIntosh amp told me I needed to sell it because I expect to be moving again soon and it is just too much of a beast that I'm also afraid to damage. But now that it is playing I am enjoying it, even driving mediocre 90s Acoustic Research AR208 speakers I had previously dismissed until hearing them with the MC power. Anyway. contemplating a completely new system to be financed with the sale of the Mc gear and even though I know this is an absolutely unanswerable newbie question, I need the therapy of talking about it to get any sort of orientation in the hundreds of brands and technologies of today. So here goes: I would like to put together a pre+amp+speakers somewhere around $7000 and have no idea where to start.

thanks in advance and apologies for such a vague question. details can follow

ps I like the sound signature of the mc but don't really know anything better; curious about class D. used is fine but not so much vintage unless it is still a value/performance contender. I like diy and projects but hitting 60 next year and starting to value my time in early (unplanned) retirement 

kidcreole123
gsmith5
37 posts
 

I would write out a budget and buy used equipment.

- Speakers $2500

- Integrated amp $2000

- Streamer $1500

- Cables $500

- Stands for equipment and speakers $500

- Total $7000

mesch
3,500 posts
 

I agree with you regarding a thread in the speaker topics. ask for recommendations in the ~$2000 range.  Keeping in mind that the easier to drive speakers are often more expensive however save on the cost of amplification. 

 

One stand mount speaker manufacturer that produces easy to drive speakers is Fritz. Fritz speakers have a very flat 8ohm impedance across the frequency range. He has stand mount models ranging in price from $2600 - $4000. I own his Carbon 7 se MKII speakers ($2800). Can be driven with 20wpc. Allows one to get more sonic value from an amplifier as you are paying for more quality power than quantity power..  Look Fritz up online. He is easy to talk with on the phone as well. 

There are many fine stand mount speakers. Not many that I would call easy to drive in that they rarely have a flat impedance across the frequency range.  Thus requiring and amplifier able to drive low impedances.  

Any money saved when finding the right amp speaker combination can them be used to improve the sources to bring about a well balanced system.

Good luck and I look forward to hearing what you come up with.

sofaman
24 posts
 

Soon I'll be selling: 

Audio Research VSi60

Sonus Faber Signums with factory stands

Lumin D1 DAC / server with Sbooster PSU

REL T5

Quality interconnects / cables if interested. 

I've always been a 'budget' enthusiast but in 20 years of buying selling my way up the ladder, this is my zenith, and I love the sound. All items have factory boxes / packing and came from reputable dealers. (I loved and learned from interacting from hobbyists originally, but the scammers eventually took the fun out of that) 

PM me if interested. 

 

Peter

 

 

strawj's avatar
strawj
75 posts
 

I did one on 7k cause I'm retired and on a fixed in come. Vinyl is out for one and I spent 3/4's of the money on speakers and the rest on an Integrated amp. good luck. If I had it to do over I would really just consider KEF LS60 for the 7k.

petaluman
156 posts
 

Like many, I'd encourage you to listen around & choose your speakers first.  I do have a suggestion for a moderately priced, versatile all-rounder integrated, though.  Admittedly, I have no experience with this specific model, but I have a lot of faith in the Parasound company.  All of their gear offers good SQ/$ ratio, is well designed, cost effective, & dependable.

Their budget NewClassic 200 Integrated is the 200 Preamp with a Pascal class D amp included.  110wpc, includes an MM/MC phono section, DAC, tone controls, subwoofer out, HT bypass, remote control, headphone amp...  They go for $1400 new; saw a used one recently at $999.

That would give you a lot of versatility & enough power to work with most speakers, without seriously denting your budget.  You'd have plenty $$$ left over for the speakers (maybe a streamer, too!).

The big advantage of an integrated is you get all the pieces at once, and they're compatible functionally & offer a consistent level of quality throughout.  It is possible to then upgrade piece by piece to all separates if you're so inclined.  Alternatively, you can just kick back & enjoy the music.  It's sort of the middle road, with separates at one end and active speakers at the other.  Active speakers may possibly give you the best SQ/$, but with no ability to upgrade amp or speakers other than replacing them both at the same time.

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