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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
 
Mr. P: I was totally charmed by your old/new/used system choices. As I visualized what you had put/kept together, the (very rare) thought came over me, "Gee, I'd be interested/curious what that bunch of stuff sounds like!" -- I consider that (probably) my highest complement ;-)

What was fun (for me) was that the combo included NOTHING I would have thought to select. I know all of it, but probably none of those pieces would have registered with me as I scanned the used equipment pages here on AgoN.

But starting with the Merlins, as I read down your list, I was going, "Hmmm that's an interesting choice! Hmmm . . . . " And all taken together, it makes a weird kind of sense. Very creative! So how does it sound? You din't say nuthin' 'bout cables ;--)
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
768 posts
 
How about this...

Ayre AX-7e (Used) - $2050.00
Ayre CX-7e (Used) - $2050.00
Ayre P-5xe (Used) - $1700.00
Green Mountain Audio Callistos (Used) - $1600.00
Purist Audio Design Musaeus XLR (x2) (Used) - $600.00
Purist Audio Design Musaeus Speaker (Used) - $300.00
Martin Logan Dynamo (x2) (Used) - $1000.00
Technics SL-1200 mk II (Used) - $400
Audio-Technica AT-150MLX cartridge (New) - $300

Total - $10,000.00
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Give me digital room correction below 100hz and any good monitor (Maggie, Ohm, Merlin TSM, etc., etc.) over the mega-bucks loudspeaker of your choice. With a pair of good subwoofers, you're looking at $2.5K to $5K for your full range loudspeaker system. In many rooms - certainly including my current one - bass response will be just as deep, just as clean, and much, much smoother at a fraction of the cost. Choose your monitor carefully, and the differences over the rest of the frequency spectrum (with the exception of max SPL if you need to go there) -IMHO- will be dwarfed by the improvement in the bass.

Just MHO.

Marty
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
For sheer musical enjoyment, and forsaking the "last octave" pursuit, this is the system I'd put together:

All used equipment:
Jean Marie Reynaud Offrandes - ~$2,500
Jean Marie Reynaud Magic Stands - $250
Audiomat Opera integrated - $3,000
K & K Audio Phono Stage SE - $1,500
Townshend Rock Reference turntable w/ Excalibur tonearm - $3,500
GARROTT P77i with MicroScanner II stylus( the classic is back! ) - $500

Ok, Ok, I went over by $1,500 and didn't even get cables. Tough call where to shave money, I guess it would have to be on the Townshend. But, damn that really is a reference level component.

I'm gonna have to put some more thought into this to make the $10k limit.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
For sheer musical enjoyment, and forsaking the "last octave" pursuit, this is the system I'd put together:

All used equipment:
Jean Marie Reynaud Offrandes - ~$2,500
Jean Marie Reynaud Magic Stands - $250
Audiomat Opera integrated - $3,000
K & K Audio Phono Stage SE - $1,500
Townshend Rock Reference turntable w/ Excalibur tonearm - $3,500
GARROTT P77i with MicroScanner II stylus(the classic is back!) - $500

Ok, Ok, I went over by $1,500 and didn't even get cables. Tough call where to shave money, I guess it would have to be on the Townshend. But, damn that really is a reference level component.

I'm gonna have to put some more thought into this to make the $10k limit.
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