Starting from scratch in a large room

@ghdprentice 

Tell us more about your interest in music.

My interest in music is strictly amateur/recreational, although at one point I actually wrote a couple of album reviews for a local magazine. I have no musical ability of my own. So I don't really know how to quantify how much I "love" music (I mean, doesn't everyone?), but I know my enjoyment of it increases with the quality of the reproduction. 

I mean if you want to listen to music… then put your money into converting a small extra extra bedroom or large walk in closet into a listening room.

I hope to be able to do that in a decade or so. Right now, I have four young kids and all of the spaces in our home are spoken for.

FYI. I have been an audiophile for over fifty years and never a Naim advocate. I am sure there are many people that love them… but I find their sound flat and anemic. You definitely need to listen to different systems and identify a sound that captivates you… emotionally… don’t just listen for details… listen for emotional connection.

That's interesting to hear your perspective about Naim and good advice about finding an emotional connection. I always feel uncomfortable walking into dealers and asking to listen to different setups--guess I just need to get over it.

Thanks for your response. 

@bdp24 

Everyone here didn't get the system they now have by going on a forum and asking the participants what to buy. They started with a beginner system, and started the process of learning and upgrading. You have to put in the hard work yourself, or pay an audio consultant to put together a system for you, based on the requirements you give him. Lots of major cities have such hi-fi dealers, look for them.

I can tell from reading some of your posts that you have an incredible amount of knowledge on this subject. But, respectfully, reading and asking questions on an internet forum is, in my mind, part of "putting in the hard work." I'm trying to learn from people that know more than I do--and by the way, I only came here after spending a few hundred hours researching the subject matter. So, again respectfully, I don't think the only options are (1) figure it out entirely by yourself or (2) be totally ignorant and pay a dealer to do it.

@jeffseight 

Your 1st system? May I ask your age?

Yes, first system. At least, I haven't had anything anyone would consider an "audiophile" setup. I am 44.

Does music move you?

Very much. That's the impetus behind my desire to invest a not insignificant amount of money in a system that can reproduce music as well as possible given the limitations of the environment. However, I'm getting the overall impression that my environment might be limiting enough that it's maybe not worth it at this time.

@grislybutter 

definitely start with low end speakers, if you are streaming via airplay, you will want a room filling sound, from e.g. JBL, PSB or Triangle speakers?

I think you are insinuating that airplay is a low-quality source. I thought that their "lossless" audio format was supposed to be pretty good. Is that not true?

given your space you may not want cables, so go wireless?

I was considering wireless. Everyone seems to like the KEF LS50 Wireless II, and I thought they sounded fine when I listened to them. 

this thread has back to the wall speaker suggestions

Thanks for this. I stumbled on this thread at one point a few weeks ago but had forgotten about it.

@elliottbnewcombjr 

What height is that shelf? Generally you want your tweeters at seated ear height.

36 inches.

You could start with your all in one amp, and then some smaller inexpensive speakers intended for a second system later. ’Learn’ the room, mess with locations, heights, toe-ins. After gained knowledge (researching ’real’ speakers all the time), then more informed choices can be tried.

Good advice. Moving up gradually in speaker quality I'm sure would be an education in itself.

IF buying an amp first, consider ’extra’ power now IN CASE you might want to try some inefficient speakers (low sensitivity, below 90 db/1w/1m).

What would you consider to be 'extra' power? That's kind of what I thought I was doing by considering the Naim Nova (80 watts per channel) over the Naim Atom (40 watts per channel). Is that "enough?"