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Looking to build a system for under $5k

Hello,

I am brand new to audio and looking to put a system together for around/under $5k all in. Any recommendations?

This would be mainly for CD audio but expandable for phono in the future. I have a small bedroom that I am dedicating as a music room upstairs in a cape cod style home. So it has angled walls that follow the roof line.

Looking for components that offer the biggest bang for the buck. I've done some research over the last couple of months and it seems like the Vandersteen 1Ci might be a good cornerstone to design a system around.


Thanks,

Joe

128x128audionoobie
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
I will repeat this xlnt advice for emphasis:

"use half your budget for the speakers"
Post removed 
mgreen27
147 posts
 

"Keep this in mind With loudspeakers under $3'k you will jot get real low bass"

Assuming that's true (and its not), so what? Most speakers over 3k don't go all the way down either.

"If on s budget a good stand mount and a decent powered sub would get you much more low bass.

At the expense of overall sound quality. System matching is everything. Subs are best used with full range speakers.That's why they're called subs, and not bass speakers.  If you use and stand mount speaker and a sub, what do you do about the frequencies that are too low for the small speakers to play, and are too high for the subs? You end up with a hole where some of the music is supposed to be, and the subwoofer never was. Besides, these components are not generic and interchangeable. You can't just throw them in any system without consequence and expect good results. If the OP buys a full range speaker like the Vandersteen Model 1, he can add a matching sub at any time, and will have a very easy time integrating it into his system because both pieces are designed to work together.

audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie OP
363 posts
 
Thank you everyone for your wonderful responses. There is certainly a lot of good information here to get me started!!!

There seems to be a consensus here regarding integrated. Perhaps I had mistakenly assumed that a separate amp and pre would be preferable. 

What at was the line of thinking here? Cost prohibitive given budget? 

Thanks,
Joe
strateahed
305 posts
 
Ok, here's one more.

I asked myself these questions: If a very close friend or relative gave me that budget and said, “Now go out and build me the best system you can get for the money”. What would I get, knowing I’d have to see them from time to time in the future? Or, to put it another way, if faced with downsizing, how would I replace my own rig without (I believe) sacrificing anything in SQ or enjoyment?

Having heard a few systems in audio show environments, doing quite a bit of background research, as well as auditioning various gear in my own home … I’d like to offer the following suggestions for a truly excellent $5,000 system (IMHO):

·         Odyssey Audio Khartago Stereo Amp - $995

·         Don Sachs SP-14 pre (no phono capability) or Van Alstine Fet Valve CF preamp (optional phono section can be added to AVA later)  - $2,000

·         Tekton Design Lore Speakers (go down to 30 Hz … check out reviews, feedback, and testimonials) $1,000

·         Oppo 105 (used, with bargains available due to new product UHD intro) - $900 to $1,000

For cabling, stay low budget, bang-for-the-buck: Blue Jeans and/or Signal Cable for I/C’s and speaker wire; Pangea for power cords.

Well, that’s my story, and I’m stickin’ with it.

Happy Listening!


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