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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
magfan
1,583 posts
 
When buying a new system from the 'newbie' level, you can either.....

1. Take a poll at any price point and buy someone elses system.

2. Listen to gear and find what YOU value and go for that in your choices.

I suspect you can, by following #2 get to 90% for 10%....IOW, get high value with few compromises without incurring debt into the next century. What price level? Depends...and depends. I like some very budget stuff. The audioengine speakers do some real right stuff. One of the T-amps if i liked high sensitivity speakers. Maybe one of the music server things.....I'd skip the CD player and leverage my PC or MAC.

Price goes up as bandwidth goes up....and if you want lots of bass in a large room, than Ante Up. For a small or nearfield system? You could bring it all in for a grand.....give or take.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
Stringreen - just curious. Of the 4 systems you have posted which was the first, how much did it cost and how long to get there before you were able to say, "this is it, I don't need anything more"? Or am I misunderstanding your guidance?
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
Ghosthouse...I don't understand your question. My system is all Ayre, except VPI Superscoutmaster rim drive/Benz lPS, and Vandersteen 5A speakers. I have owned many, many components, but the system I have now makes musical sense to me. I have heard and appreciate the Vandersteen 7's, but am wondering if indeed the difference is worth the tremendous monetary outlay. The 7's and the 5A's sound very much alike.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
I think Rok2id gave the best advice for a first system.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
Stringreen - My mistake. I looked at your system photo thumbnails and thought you had 4 different systems! That aside, while I agree with your caution to the OP about wasting money on "interim junk" I have to agree somewhat with Toddnkaya. The "you people" comment does rankle and smacks of elitism. I doubt you really think a system can't deliver the music unless it crosses some threshold $ investment level that you approve. Another point I'd like to make is, justification for spending at a given level ought to require education. I've found it necessary to go through an interative process to validate ultimate buying decisions. I doubt you arrived at your preferred system in one step nor would I expect you to recommend the equipment you put together as the preferred system for everyone. I think intermediate/transient gear is an important part of the process.

Hope that makes sense. A Merry Christmas to you and yours. If you celebrate something else, my sincere wishes for happiness in that.
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