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Here's a challenge:a class A sound system for less

You may have heard the finest systems in show rooms or in expos or in a friend's house, those system's that cost well over $50,000. So you know the sound I'm talking about...... But can you get this sound for less? Name the system and components that make up a system that brings the sense of you are there experience but cost much less. Let's set the limit to $10,000. Name the components and speakers and cost, even used prices could be used since the components most likely are available here on agon. Let's see who could come up with the best deal.
pedrillo
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I'm not going to get into recommending a shopping list, but a good strategy would be to plan on what's called "nearfield listening", a fancy term for "sittin' real close", like in studio control rooms (which is where the whole 'studio monitor' thing came from).

You still can't skimp on the front end stuff, or cabling. The better, the better. But you can get really high-end monitors for a great deal less (a lot of speaker cost is in the cabinets!) and of course a high quality integrated amp should get you a really good system.

A side benefit of nearfield listening is that room size (large or small) and acoustics (good or bad) have less impact on what you actually hear at your listening position (BTW, were talking not more than 8 feet away from the speakers +/_)
reubent
7,004 posts
 
Nsgarch,

I agree with you! If you can keep your system to a nearfield setup, you can build a great sounding system for WAY under $10,000. Heck, I'll bet you can build a great sounding system for under $3000 if you buy used.

I have a nearfield setup using a high quality CD player w/volume control connected to a pair of inexpensive mono-block amps and quality monitor speakers. Personally, I think it sounds better than any $50,000+ system I've heard in a dealers showroom. It is a different sound, but I like it. It is very intimate and it matches my musical taste.

Most expensive systems I've heard in showrooms had bloated midbass that sounded way too fat to me. Now, I'm not saying my "more intimate" presentation perference is right, I'm just sayin "I prefer it".....

Enjoy,

TIC
mcfarland
356 posts
 
Toshiba sd9200 (~400used), Polk, or Kenwood XM or Sirius receiver (~200new), with digital out to a ARC DAC 5 (~450used), with XLR output to and Audio Experience Balanced line stage (~1000new) with balanced output to a Forte Model 4A (~600used) to a pair of Martin Logan SL3's (~1500 used) totals about $4150. Add shipping and various cables, and I beleive you come in under $5000. Should sound great, and, there are lots of room and finance possibilities available for other options. Happy Listening
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