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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
audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie OP
363 posts
 

@mdelrossi1 Yes, came in well under my 5k budget. I'll probably order a few panels from GIK.

@bondmanp Thanks for the great suggestions. Will def. check them out! I didn't realize I had The Art of Sound so close to me in Lambertville. 15 min. down the road.

@gdnrbob Thanks!

@kuppe38 Agreed. Audio Doctors has very impressive showrooms!

@randy-11 Thanks. That's exactly what I intend to do.....

bondmanp
1,818 posts
 

@kuppe38 - I was just making a short list off the top of my head of dealers I have visited recently.  I actually bought my Vandersteens from Audio Nexus (in 2000), as well as my first decent CD player.  I really liked the way I was treated there.  AFAIK, however, I don't think they are Vandersteen dealers at this time.  Bravo A/V is custom install oriented, but Tom is very knowledgable about audio and carries some great product lines.  I like his pragmatic, low-key approach to sales.


CSA I have never been to, but they do carry a lot of nice lines.


Audio Doctor is also worth a visit, I have been there as well.


@audionoobie - Our audio society is being hosted by The Art of Sound on Sunday, March 19th, at 2:00 p.m.  Feel free to stop by, listen to some tunes, and have a bite to eat.

jetter
3,035 posts
 
Sorry to go off topic, but I am curious if anyone has actual experience with the Nuforce STA200 mentioned by gawdbless above.  If so, could you share your listening impressions, both good and bad.
Thanks 
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
also curious but a new thread would be best...
zuio's avatar
zuio
96 posts
 
You have to decide / listen for your self what kind of sound you want:

kef ls50 wireless (simple one box system) if you buy new
used:
neumann kh120 + mytek brooklyn + sonore microrendu (simplicity, resale value)
magnepan mg12 + 2 crown xls 1500 mono blocks + Mytek Brooklyn Dac + sonore microrendu (for speed, coherence, resolution)
omega or tekton high efficiency speakers + coincident 34se + Mytek brooklyn + sonore microrendu (for immediacy, realism, imaging)

Room treatment and speaker positioning is essential (you won't get good performance with a BMW on sand or ice. You need a treated surface...)

solid core Cables are the best - they don't mess with timing. Dnm, VOVOX, clearday
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