Looking for $20k system for Mahler No 6

I would start with room treatments first. Otherwise, you are simply trying to fight the laws of Physics (or acoustics, more accurately). Room modes, peaks, etc. will significantly degrade the performance of even the greatest components.

Have Rives Audio do a room analysis and design. Then, the sound from $5k system will be more accurate than a $20k system in an untreated room.

A Different Approach For Your Consideration:

QSonix Server (Audiogon Demo) $3400
Salk Sound HT3 w/Deqx room correction & 3 way digital X-over $8500
2 units Wyred 3 channel x125 watt ice power amp $4000

Total $15,900

You have some change left over for finish upgrades on the HT3 or dinner out.

I haven't heard this system, but anyone starting from scratch with your budget should probably (at a minimum) investigate the Deqx/Tact/Lyngdorf approach. The speakers and amps liisted here are illustrative of this approach - you may prefer other examples of the species which fit your budget.

OTOH I have heard the QSonix which has a knock out user interface - Mahler and every other CD you own easily accessible via touch screen from a hard drive which, in many camps, is the prefered transport. It certainly sounded very good on demo at my local dealer. Enough so that I am awaiting delivery of my new QSonix server.

Good Luck

Marty.

Ok, you said you welcome opinions, so here's one that's very direct:

With your plan you will spend $20k to achieve closer to $10k sound. You make a fundamental mistake by equating cabling with tweaks. Cables are legitimate components in today's rigs. You should not overlook cabling from the power cord to speakers. If you do, you will choke the entire system's performance. You would be wise to set an amount, maybe 15% of the budget for cabling. Your money.

If you don't believe it, once you're set up with your $20k of components and speakers with stock cords, replace the power cord on your cdp with a decent upgraded cord (Try, say, a mid-line Harmonic Technology PC, which I've used in the past; at used price this is a fairly trivial expense considering the price of the rig). If you don't hear the distinction clearly, then cable changes won't we worth it to you. If you do hear a distinction, you blew it on your plan because changing out the cabling on the entire rig will transform the sound, but maybe you'll have enough money to rectify it.

For realistically portray the grand orchestra of Mahler, and the dynamic changes of his music you may need a speaker with at least 10 inch, better 12inch, woofer, and appropriate midrange driver and very good tweeter. Such a loudspeaker is not cheap, and plus you need an amplifier which probably cost as much as the speaker set. Plus cabling, appropriate sources, the usual tweaks,etc and you are well beyond the targeted 20K. Within that cash limit, the best possible solution is a used ATC 150 Active speaker. It is incredible dynamic and detailed loudspeaker. To my taste, it is tonally a bit cooler sounding speaker compared to what is my perception of classical music tonally. But I heard it only at my friend, so dont know to what degree that tonality is due to room acoustics or to the Meitner dac.

Doug

I know the theory behind cable and I know there are people who tell the difference that cables will bring, but I am blessed I cannot tell the difference. I did blind-test with well-known local audiophiles a few years ago, most of us picked cheapest electric power cable as the best speaker cable, since then I stopped investing on cables.

Yes cables matter, but not to me. So I don't need to spend money on them.