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Best Value System

A lot of stuff has been written about how great this or that piece of hifi gear was and we are all familiar with such talk. Yes, we can talk about THE very best system available but how many can afford that very best system?
So, I think we should talk about the best value systems available. Yes, there are many such systems as well and maybe you good folks out there can make some suggestions so that the not so experienced players like me can benefit.
Even though I am relatively inexperienced, I am not new to hifi. I have listened to systems ranging from a couple of thousand to about a hundred K.
After going through this humbling experience, I found what I thought was my best value system and that is:
Any reasonable quality cdp with a volume control and this can be had for less than $1000 used. You can then run it straight to the ATC SCM 100 ASL (New $14000, used-between 8-10K. You only need 1 pr of interconnect. So, for between 10-15K, you can have a world class system. From there on you can slowly upgrade the front end (and maybe, add a supratek pre) You can spend many times more and you may not even get this sound quality.
I hope this doesn't bore you. After all, I believe this forum is all about value.
Enjoy.
thf
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I cant believe that an amp was called the most important peice, its the speakers, and the room they are in being treated, then the actual CDP, Tuner, and so on next is your amp after that get into isolation, cables, and finally power. What the hell good is an amp if everything else is wrong? The speakers have to come first because they dictate what the room is going to need to sound its best. After that is correct it can be NAD, or Krell, or Levinson or any number of SS or Tube units. The amp will simply do what it is supposed to do and if you dont do other things first you are simply Amplifing the problem.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Boni, actually, it's not advertised, but this site is also for those who are beneficiaries of large estates. Nothing under $1m. So, this is all of our way of letting loose a bit, since it's very taxing managing the accounts/holdings which support our leisurely lifestyle.
Some of the members of our illustrious club are quite modest. They don't list the actual components they own. You need to learn the code which will reveal the truth about their systems.
For instance, if an audiogon member lists his amp as a Rotel, you can be sure it is actually a Jeff Roland. Or, if you see a pair of Polk speakers, the owner actually has Wilson X2's. Owners will even post pictures of their lower class friend's systems or pics from ebay, so as to disguise their disgustingly ostentatious systems.
It's all a matter of discression and taste.
Oh, and watch out for the pretenders. When you do see a picture of a humongous system and specialty rooms, these are all rented spaces and equipment. They pay a fee to bring the equipment home, put up treatments, and set up the equipment so pictures can be taken. In this way it appears they have super-sytems. NO ONE really does that kind of thing in real life.
bonigv
19 posts
 
Sir,

You are very funny :-)

Boni
piezo
304 posts
 
Boni, if you want to be truely amazed at what discrecionary funds can buy look here: http://www.higherfi.com/. It's where Doug's friends sneek off to over lunch.

As to the best value system. In my room, mine pretty much wins. I've heard much better for a LOT more money and i've heard some pretty spendy systems (>$50k retail)that I wouldn't trade mine for.

Dunlavy Athena about $3,000 to $3,500 though i've seen em cheaper. Cantatas are about the same and as low as $2500

ARC CD-2 about $1,200- 1,500
VTL 5.5 pre About $2,000
VTL MB 185 mono blocks About $4,000

options
Chang lighspeed 9600 conditioner $about $400
Harmonic tech cabling, poly crystal amp stands, home brew component stand probably around $1000

total complete cost for used gear would be about $11,000 to $12,500 depending on your shopping luck. I spent about $15 when i built the system and don't regret a dime of it. What's better is there is nothing nagging at me to upgrade except tweaking the room some
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Stehno,

Interesting viewpoint. I am sure many, perhaps even the majority of people on Audiogon, will share your point of view....that a pragmatic approach used by professionals is non-sensical way to think about buying high-end audio equipment.

Indeed "best value" has no place in high-end audio.....after all, it is all about the hardship of saving up, the continual fun of upgrading, tweaking, changing, comparing the improvements, and digging out those old CD's and enjoying them again!
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