I suggest that you listen, listen, and listen. Keep notes on what you like and what you don't. And why. And don't listen to the price tag - by that, I mean that hyped stuff isn't always the best value - you don't have to be the one who pays for the advertising.
Don't be afraid to audition the high end. You might as well find out what can be done with big bucks, and maybe you can get close enough within your budget. I did that with Magneplanar Tympani !a's of blessed memory, and cheap homemade electronics, in 1973. Think ESL's and Magnepan as well as box speakers.
And if you can't hear a difference, don't pay for it. That goes for source, amp, speakers, and cables. And don't bite when someone says, "Oh, it just needs to be broken in." Suggest that he break it in and show you.
It's a great hobby, but it's easy to pay too much. I've been at it for 50 years, and eventually, I learned to listen, listen, listen before I bought.
Good luck!
Don't be afraid to audition the high end. You might as well find out what can be done with big bucks, and maybe you can get close enough within your budget. I did that with Magneplanar Tympani !a's of blessed memory, and cheap homemade electronics, in 1973. Think ESL's and Magnepan as well as box speakers.
And if you can't hear a difference, don't pay for it. That goes for source, amp, speakers, and cables. And don't bite when someone says, "Oh, it just needs to be broken in." Suggest that he break it in and show you.
It's a great hobby, but it's easy to pay too much. I've been at it for 50 years, and eventually, I learned to listen, listen, listen before I bought.
Good luck!