10K system

I'd go with a modern receiver, something like the AVM Inspiration ($6,000).  It has a phono stage, FM tuner, D/A converter, CD transport, streaming and a power amp.  NAD, Micromega and others make similar products.  Pair that with something from Tekton.  Only one power cord and a pair of speaker cables and you're still under the $10k budget.

Hmm...thinking what I might wantSpeakers: Focal Aria / Revel Performa / Kef R7 (R700) floorstandersSubs:  2 JL Audio E110Integrated amp: Parasound HaloStreamer: Bluesound Node 2iHave fun!

A good one.

This is my $10K system so this is my tastes in sound. It is only streaming but you could add 4 analog sources to this system. I have 2 other analog sources that I am not listing (a tuner and SACD player).

- Benchmark HPA4 preamp $3K (or LA4 without headphone for $2500)
- Benchmark DAC3B $1700
- Benchmark AHB2 $3K or Peachtree Nova amp500 ($1500)
- Sonore microRendu $300 (used or new I have not looked recently)
- KEF LS50’s $800 (new price on many KEF sales recently)
- Benchmark XLR interconnects to get 24 dBu signal level (under $300 for DAC+preamp+amp)
- Audience speaker cable (choice based on remaining budget)

I will ignore my Torus RM15 power conditioner ($2500). It is not essential to get up and running but it does make my system sound great. There are many other options such as none at all.

I currently own much more expensive Audience XLR interconnects. I have a feeling these will be replaced by the much cheaper Benchmark XLR’s. I am only stating this preference on Benchmark gear.

Good luck finding any of those Benchmark electronics on the used market.

I have this system listed above in my office except my amp at the moment is the amp section of a Peachtree Nova 150 integrated. I am surprised at how much better than OK it is. I used to own the AHB2 and sold it along with the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. The AHB2 will return to my system when I sell the Nova 150 but you could do a lot worse than this HPA4 and Nova 150 combo. That is why I am suggesting the better Peachtree amp500 (only an amp not an integrated). Actually it could be that any decent class D amp could work in this setup.

Someone above said that the AHB2 + DAC HGC is the way to go. I owned that combo and now have the HPA4 preamp in the mix. The HPA4 maybe the greatest component I have heard (or not heard). It is incredible for my tastes and just blowing me away in the sound I am hearing.

I am going to be adding a AHB2 amp to round out my $10K system. However, I will be buying a second amp to play with (not a necessity). The top contender at the moment is the Luxman m900u amp. I will go and demo the CODA #16 once the local Los Angeles dealer gets one. The specs on the CODA are even better than the Luxman. I think the combination of the HPA4 and the CODA or Luxman could be a reference caliber pairing.

Some Context:

Prior to hearing the HPA4 the Luxman c900u preamp + m900u amp pairing were the best sound I had heard (at my straining to afford price range). Now I am so happy I bought the HPA4 instead of the c900u preamp. The m900u is another matter.

I demoed the Luxman 509x integrated for $10K new. I think I like the Benchmark system a heck of a lot more.

I should have added this system is for a small room and does not have low bass.