$40,000: What 2-channel system would you build?
What I heard at THE show was probably this same setup as in the RMAF: https://www.stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-k%C4%93nto-carbon-loudspeaker-and-m5-hpa-amplifiers-... |
i could go any number of ways, but, I would always start with high or reasonably high efficiency speakers because I tend to only like lower powered amps; even if I had an unlimited budget, it would be a low powered amp (pushpull or singled-ended tube, perhaps a First Watt solid state amp). To save a lot of money on amplification, I would build an Elekit 300B kit amp which would hardly dent the $40k budget (I think one with decent transformers costs around $3k).
Among the decent sounding high efficiency commercial speakers, I would consider an Audio Note AN-E at whatever quality level I could get while spending up to $20k or so. My other choice is the Charney Audio backloaded horn speaker with the AER driver ($17k); I would seriously consider this speaker even if my budget were $150k. The rest would be spent on sources (music server/DAC, primarily, not enough budget to also get a worthy vinyl setup), cabling and power line conditioner (something from Isotek). |
@larryi I'm more apt to go this route. But... I can't do ultra low power. @gdnrbob Bob, I've currently got Wilson Audio Sophia 3. I'll be selling them, and rebuilding a system in about 6 mos. Likley, I'll go back to Wilson and ARC. But, we'll see. This post has made some convincing aregumetns to consider others like Audio Note and more. |
I am a total Lumin fan owning the A-1 and now the X-1. That is a great start. I can't say enough positives about Lumin. I had mine paired to Sonus Faber Amati Tradition Homage Speakers. Prior to purchasing the SF's, I direct compared to the Wilson Alexia 1's. There was no comparison as the SF's beet the Alexia's in overall music and sound by a large percentage. You can get used SF's for $17-22k. I had a Raven integrated MK2 Reflection Tube Amp. It was also great. IMO you can save money by buying an integrated whether it is a tube or a Luxman or Gryphon. I also have a brand new pair of Mola Mola Kaluga and Makua Amps that have never been used that I am going to sell shortly. I decided to go a different route and going into horn speakers. The Mola Mola Amp and Pre amp retail for $28k and I will be listing them shortly for $14k. They can drive any speaker you could possibly buy. I am buying a whole new system because I just sold my house and all of the audio equipment. |
