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
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.
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.
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. :-)
Renaissanceman9,

There was a prior thread here about the "Top 10 Snafus to Avoid While Building a System" or something like that. It wasn't too long ago. Do a search and hope it helps you.
""Top 10 Snafus to Avoid While Building a System" or something like that. It wasn't too long ago. Do a search and hope it helps you."

good advice. pay close attention to what Rok2id had to say on that thread.