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Complete newbie needing guidance/purchase advice

Hi folks-

First of all, let me apologize in advance for a lengthy post. I'm a brand new forum member after recently being introduced to this site by an acquaintance who heard I was looking for sound advice... As my thread title states, I'm completely ignorant when it comes to the audiophile world, but I really want to start building a system and learn something in the process. A little background on me: I've been making a living as a recording artist and studio musician for almost 20 years, but my career choice as a music-maker has somehow ironically detached me from the simple pleasure of just sitting and _listening_ to music for the sheer enjoyment of it. My wife and I are currently in the process of remodeling our bonus room into a media room, and one of my objectives is to at the very least turn it into a space where I can do some critical listening.

I currently don't have anything decent... Just some old Bose bookshelf speakers and a Yamaha surround receiver. The closest thing to 'something decent' that I own are a pair of Etymotic ER-4S headphones coupled with a Headroom headphone amplifier.

The big limiting factor is my budget. Given that fact, maybe I have no business posting here... I will probably need to build this piece-by-piece over time, so I'm content with having to stretch the process out. I'm not concerned with having to have the 'best' of anything; I would just really like to make listening to music an engaging and emotional experience for me like it was for me many years ago.

Would a speaker purchase be a good place to start? I was perusing the Audiogon classifieds today and saw that there is actually a pair of DK Designs LSA-2's for sale local to me. The asking price is at the top of my speaker budget, a little over a grand, which I realize is probably 'chump change' in the audiophile world. However, I've read some reviews and they seem mostly positive. Would be super-convenient to be able to find something nice that was used and local, but as I said before, I'm completely new to this. Another related question: Is it better to go with floor-standing speakers, or can decent sound also be accomplished with bookshelf speakers combined with a subwoofer?

Also, what are the other 'basic' components that would need to be purchased? The only other thing I know I'd love to have would be a decent turntable; I'd love to be able to go and purchase some of my favorite classic albums to listen to once again. Do I need a separate preamp and power amp combination? Are there any 'receivers' that do a decent job of covering both tasks?

Any other feedback or direction you experts could throw my way would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance!
renaissanceman9
toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Renaissanceman9,
Moniors are stand-mounted speakers requiring the use of sturdy stands.
I think you are ok using your XBOX for now.
How much do you want to spend on an amp? Did you give your total budget for the entire system.?
Although it is awesome to go out to Audio dealers to listen to different systems, it is frowned upon to do this, find what you love, and buy it used here. That said, many people do this.
I have bought all of my gear here sight and sound unseen, and I have been super happy with every single puchase.
If you just do your research and ask questions and opinions,your good to go!!
Lastly, are you willing to stretch your speaker budget a bit. (say $1300)
Todd
r1g_audio
23 posts
 
Getting into audio is great fun but can be very frustrating at times. You will make your share of mistakes; we all do. I don't like just telling people what they should go out and buy regarding equipment because it can bias you in a certain way and/or be just bad advice given what you like now and what you will come to like once you gain more knowledge. Looking back on all of the mistakes I have made over the years, to get where I am now and have a good sounding system, I can give you some tips as not to make some of the mistakes that I made. Below are a few things that I wish someone had told me.

1. Stop reading equipment reviews. (I know you are going to ask why but there is no one simple answer. I could write a book on the subject.)

2. Never, ever try to fix problems with tubes and/or cables. You will fail. It is much easier to just fix the system. (I am not saying that tubes and cables are not important or don't make a difference. They are valid purchases, just not band aids.)

3. Don't use your ears. (Use your head. Your ears are on your head so they can be used along with some good judgment.)

4. You will always hear people arguing about what is more important component: Speakers or the Source. The answer is the preamp. (The truth is every component is important. One bad or mismatched component messes up the whole system. I say the preamp because it is at least as important as any component and most of the systems that I see fail is because the preamp is overlooked in some way.

5. Don't set prices before buying equipment. If, for example, you allow yourself $5000 for a new CD player, you will end up getting one for $5000. Find one you like first, and then worry about the price. There is a good chance you might find one you like for less. If you like something for more, you will be selling you $5000 player the minute you hear the one you want.

Good luck with your purchases. I hope some of this info can help you out.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
If you don't mind my asking, I want to make sure I understand what audiophiles are referring to when they talk about 'monitors'.

I use the term in preference to 'bookshelf', which is misleading as to placement and even size. A synonym is 'stand-mounted'. Toddnkaya has clarified things nicely.

There is no reason not to consider actual studio monitors if you can find some in your price range. Some audiophiles find studio gear tends to direct the listener's attention to individual sounds more than to the music as a whole, but there is no shortage of audiophile gear which does the same thing anyway. Enjoy finding out what you like! With your pro experience you are a lap ahead.

I haven't heard either of your sources so can't advise on their relative quality. You have 3 options here. You can keep your sources for now, thus freeing up money for an amp or for a lesser amp plus vinyl. If your present sources have digital outputs, you can defer vinyl in favour of augmenting their performance with an outboard digital converter (DAC) and connecting cable (which must be 1.5 meters long BTW). I myself would include inexpensive antivibration treatment for your CD spinner, plus power conditioning for both it and DAC in the form of an isolation transformer, again inexpensive. Or you can just replace your digital source.

Whatever you do with your source, you can afford to take your time and be sure of the move you make. Deals may slide by, but there will always be others. As a general rule, I prefer to have extra resolution at the source rather than downstream. You can't put information back in later once it's been lost.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I disagree with monitors unless you listen to rock exclusivly.
On jazz and other acoustic music- not going to at least the high 30's robs you of the fundamental underpinnings of the bass and the sense of space that is so essential to jazz.
westborn
153 posts
 
Personally, I would recommend some active speakers like the AVI ADM9t. Add a sub later.

Then you can focus on all of the music content that is available out there without having to worry so much about preamp, amp, cables, source, etc.

Sound will not be 100% of the finest systems, but it will allow you to focus on the music not the gear.

Just a suggestion. :-)
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