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Last Audition - Blown Away By A Lottery System

I went into a local B&M store and did a quick listen to an integrated and speaker pair around 6K.  I was just chatting with the sales guy, and I said thanks and was going to walk through the rest of the listening rooms.  He volunteered to take me to another room that wasn't in use.

This room was sparsely populated with two systems, as opposed to the other room that had a dozen speakers and several dozen pieces of electronics.  He streamed a song that I heard on the other system.  Without knowing exact models of equipment:
Moon player
Moon pre
Moon mono blocks
Focal Utopia
cables & IC unknown

The sales guy is watching my expression, which is disbelief, and then starts quoting the prices which totaled $380K.
That is the most expensive stereo I've ever heard, and was floored at the amount and quality of the sound - a dream system for sure.  Kind of gives me an insight to what some of you discuss here, but couldn't relate myself.

I'm screwed!  My budget only allows $20k, and that's probably what the cables in that system cost.

I bought a lottery ticket on the way home.  LOL.
bgm1911
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,437 posts
 
I am not surprised at all with your experience. SimAudio makes excellent sounding electronics, the top of the line are indeed pricey but worth pursuing. Having said that, $20K budget is still a good sum for a very decent system. If you do your research and ask recommendations here, you will end up with a great sounding system.

Let’s get you started, do you currently own a system that you can build on or are you starting from ground zero?
Enjoy the journey!
jl35
3,977 posts
 
SimAudio and Focal make some great gear in your price range...but Yes, a well put together, top of the line system can be incredible...
bgm1911 OP
17 posts
 
Let’s get you started, do you currently own a system that you can build on or are you starting from ground zero?

As posted elsewhere, I just sold my entire 5.1 system (10 yo) with Marantz separates.  Those previous purchases were not done with much care as I hate auditioning.  2 ch has so many options, I'm overwhelmed.  I'm not able to upgrade at whim, so this purchase has to last me for a long time.

Over the last few years, several higher end stores have closed in my area, leaving just a couple still open, with limited choices.  I love the new Luxmans appearance, but no joke, there are just one unit in my entire state (509x). The most prominent equipment is Mc, but I can't get past plastic knobs on units nearing 10k.  I've spent months "auditioning on the internet" because it's easy.

I can buy some outstanding used equipment online without auditioning, or I can travel 1500 miles to a shop.

I just checked my lottery ticket...only got one number!

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
$20k will get you a Raven Nighthawk, Tekton Moabs, Decware ZP3 phono stage, a VPI with a good cartridge, and still have funds for Synergistic wire and Townshend Pods to make it sing. Year or so from now when you’ve got it thoroughly tweaked out and dialed in you will be able to go back and listen to that $380k system with a nice big satisfying grin on your face.

Believe it. I did it. No reason you can’t.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,437 posts
 
@bgm1911,

I would work with online retailers that has generous return policy. MusicDirect carries a wide range of electronics and speakers. We can make recommendations based on our experience but auditioning gear in your environment is the key.

Luxman 509X is a great sounding integrated and you can certainly build your system around it.

Do you have a dedicated room? If yes, at some point you will need to address room acoustics. What would be your source? Are you going to stream or spin Vinyl / CD’s?
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