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Help in putting together my system with used equipment on Audiogon and eBay.

I’m looking for the best bang for the buck. What equipment can I find that would make the best system for my budget ($8000)? I'm starting out with:

Pass Labs X1 Preamp, my rock to start with. I got it for $2500 This is where you can help me the most. Let me know your best match for this pre-amp, or the ones you have found to be the best you have heard!

Bryston 4B SST amp for about $1700. It’s been my experience that more power wakes up a speaker and pins it’s ears back. At 300wpc and the reviews on this amp I picked it, but just to start. I really need some experienced people to give me recommendations for the amp, or if the Bryston is a winner. I can sell this for a better amp.

Do I need a DAC?

Phono. I’ve realized that might be a big reason why people go to separates isn’t it? I’d like to hear some comments on this. If you have separates and no phono, what do you use? Stream music? CD’s?

CD player? I do have a lot of CD’s. With separates, it’s either phono, cd, or streaming correct?

I’m not really a phono guy, but I know which albums I would buy so it is an option. I wouldn’t know a good phono if you hit me with it. Please recommend a few.

I’m leaning toward B&W speakers just because of their reputation. I may spend up to 5k on a good pair of speakers, but I want them to be used and costing much more when bought new. I know how to spot a good deal and not buy speakers on their death bed (from reputable sellers), but I need your recommendations too. You all have heard more speakers than I ever have and will.

**I’m going to check this post often and answer any questions and write down your recommendations.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR THIS, IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME!
128x128imabucfan
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,094 posts
 
The only thing this audio hobby have teach me is that what we already owns is able to reach a potential sound quality unbeknownst to us, sometimes a very high level...Nevermind the price....
The only thing the audio market advise us generally is to buy to upgrade the audio system we already owns without thinking about the conditions of his right implementation and embedding which could make it able to reach this true sound quality, his original potential, unknown to us to this day...Nevermind the price...

Think about that discovery: most of us to begins with, dont even  know the fine audio possibilities of our audio system that are veiled behind, vibrations, high noise level, bad acoustic room, and the least effort to "tweak" what we have, when we contemplate the easy solution : to buy.... Nevermind the price....
The greatest miracle in audio:
The transformation of a system we dont like enough in one that is at the top of his potential and which we begins to truly love...Nevermind the price...
imabucfan's avatar
imabucfan OP
52 posts
 
Thanks rbstehno, I've heard that about separates more often than not. And I am going to go digital. I'll look into the ps audio DS sr. And keeping it simple is great advice! jdesj thank you for that. I've been wondering about the B&W and I do want to hear the bass. I have a pair of Heresey III's right now, and Cornwalls would be a great choice if I can find a pair! mahgister, that is a wise statement. I am definitely going to try to get the very best out of my system since I don't have the time or $ to fool around too much. Thanks everyone! I still want to hear speaker choices and digital gear recommendations please!
jgreen19
30 posts
 
Dude, if you’re looking for speaker suggestions and want full range with amazing bass, check out Tekton Moab’s!  
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,914 posts
 
You could kill yourself with the Bryston and Cornwalls ( I know I actually own a pair and some 60 wpc Bryston monoblocks...

jax to Atlanta is what ???? Go see Hi Fi buys in Buckhead, get off the reading about sound and go hear some gear.....
jerrybj
866 posts
 
I agree with the recommendations for an integrated amp.
It's what I have, and I'm very happy with it.
Also cuts back on the power cords and interconnects required, rather than with a pre/power amp.

Most of my system I bought used, which enabled much better equipment with my money.
If you sold your Pass Labs X1 and Bryston 4B, you then could have $10,000-$12,000 possibly.
Buying used you could easily end up with a $25,000-$30,000 system.

I cannot suggest much, as I have no access to most of the US brands available on EBay, here, or US Audio Mart.

I would suggest at some stage you trial a PPT Omega+ Emat on your breaker panel. Sceptics will soon disagree. But you get to trial, and hopefully notice an increase in base (as I did), an increase in depth (as I did), an increase in detail (as I did), and better instrument separation.



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