1) Proper speaker placement supplemented by acoustic room treatments patiently and accurately applied is the single most important component in your system. Period. More than which speakers, which source components , or what amp/ pre-amp combination.
2) Really clean, powerful available power into your system is usually overlooked until most people have some serious bucks into most of the other "stuff". This is a mistake. Provide dedicated power if possible, or at least seriously conditioned/cleaned up electricity available for your equipment. The difference is startling.
3) Tubes just sound more natural than solid state and should be in either your pre-amp or power amp (preferably both), or in a nice tubed integrated [at least] (if that's your path at the time) to really appreciate how uncanny a home system can sound.
4) "Reasonably good" speakers and "reasonably good" signal sources will sound absolutely outstanding (way better than you would have ever believed possible) if you make sure you've done #1,#2,#3 above first... ("Really good or better" speakers/signal sources will absolutely blow you away if.... you you've done #1,#2,#3 above first...).
5) Approach the hobby with more respect than you would an addiction ("Upgrade-itis") where you'll find yourself saving up again and again for your next purchase. This I know only too well. Try to enjoy each step of the way and linger there as long as you can.
(Final comment) Sitting in the listening chair late at night...when all the synergy of your system aligns like the planets in the sky... is like no other connection you'll ever know... it's called "Bliss".
2) Really clean, powerful available power into your system is usually overlooked until most people have some serious bucks into most of the other "stuff". This is a mistake. Provide dedicated power if possible, or at least seriously conditioned/cleaned up electricity available for your equipment. The difference is startling.
3) Tubes just sound more natural than solid state and should be in either your pre-amp or power amp (preferably both), or in a nice tubed integrated [at least] (if that's your path at the time) to really appreciate how uncanny a home system can sound.
4) "Reasonably good" speakers and "reasonably good" signal sources will sound absolutely outstanding (way better than you would have ever believed possible) if you make sure you've done #1,#2,#3 above first... ("Really good or better" speakers/signal sources will absolutely blow you away if.... you you've done #1,#2,#3 above first...).
5) Approach the hobby with more respect than you would an addiction ("Upgrade-itis") where you'll find yourself saving up again and again for your next purchase. This I know only too well. Try to enjoy each step of the way and linger there as long as you can.
(Final comment) Sitting in the listening chair late at night...when all the synergy of your system aligns like the planets in the sky... is like no other connection you'll ever know... it's called "Bliss".