@noromance --
The OP posted this in the Pro Audio section. Maybe they are looking for pro audio gear.
My thought as well, but going by the OP’s latest response it would seem pro audio, as it should correctly apply to this topic segment, isn’t the primary target, if at all? What’s worse then, answering the OP with regard to the presumed specific field of audio he/she is inquiring about (i.e.: non-pro gear), or abiding by the topic of ’pro-audio’ that may/may not go contrary to the wishes of the OP? I’ll to stick with pro-audio in my reply, which if nothing else is the proper context of addressing the matter here - a context that would otherwise see close to no interest in the remaining topics here at the ’gon.
Pro audio is sound reinforcement that has a clearly defined functionality demand at concerts, clubs, studios etc. as its primary focus - at a price that reflects actual performance, that is, and thus "snake oil" like exotic cables, a range of accessories, luxury finishes and honing in on a corner of a canvas in excessive detail instead of its bigger picture, simply has no home here. Not to mention the overall range of typical audiophilia-aimed low sensitivity speakers that wouldn’t last nor deliver the expected performance in a pro audio environment.
As someone who cares about sound reproduction with no frills and BS and seeks to adhere to physics, pro audio is indeed a liberating venture that holds great potential for the unassuming "sound reproduction adventurer," not to mention at fair prices, but how does pro audio apply to sound reproduction in a domestic environment; is it even doable, and what are the pro’s and con’s of pro audio gear used in a home setting?
Though the implicit notion in this discussion concerns the relevance of pro audio to anyone with "audiophile" aspirations, it would seem fruitless trying to justify the purchase of pro audio gear and instead get to the point of this thread: what would I buy with $10k at my disposal? Before getting to that however, just one disclaimer: pro audio gear, selectively chosen, is more than capable at reproducing music/HT in a home setting, and you’d be surprised how far $10k can get you with the sheer level of sound quality that’s attainable here.
I may, in this instance, go with a mixture or pro and "consumer" gear, some DIY, as well as suggest buying 2nd hand gear. First, I’d recommend a pair of used 2 or 3-way pro cinema main speakers, be they Electro-Voice, JBL, K.C.S., QSC or similar - preferably for active configuration. $2.5k/pair should get you suitable items, and buying used here will get you better items than new, similarly priced (cheaper quality) speakers. Age largely doesn’t matter; pro cinema speakers of the highest quality are build to last in a much tougher environment than at your home. Then opt for a pair of front-loaded horn subs like the (DIY) Cinema F20, which can be made for $1k/pair incl. wood and drivers. Now I’d spend roughly $3.5k combined on a fitting number of amp channels from the likes of MC² or Crown or other (used or new), as well as a quality digital XO from Xilica. Going with 2-way main speakers saves you 2 amp channels, so 6 channels in all would be needed incl. 2 subs. Lastly I’d spend the remaining ~$3k on a used reference DAC/preamp with a dedicated preamp section, high quality volume control, an excellent analogue output stage and PSU, and great jitter suppression.
I can assure you a well implemented set-up like the above suggested would be an immense sonic experience, and one that would easily equal or exceed any typical "hifi" system costing 10 times as much or more - depending on one’s preferences in audio reproduction, of course. I would know of the potential of such a system, because I’m using it myself in a variation of the above. Sorry for being immodest here, but sometimes honesty gives you an unexpected advantage :)
