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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
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?
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,373 posts
 
OP,+1 @lalitk
Most folks do not realize that a $10k system in a very good treated room will sound much much better than a $350k system in a room which is not setup or treated for audio. Room accounts for more than 50% of how/what your "system" sounds. When you are able to spend $20k on a system, spend between $500-$1000 on room treatment.So, you are really not screwed. You can probably spend $10k on loudspeakers, $7k on speakers, $2k on cables and $1k on treatment. Based on MY experience, the more resolving your system is, the more you hear what room treatment can do.Work with your dealer and if you show firm commitment, it becomes easy for them to offer you prices at a bundled deal.

roberthz
7 posts
 
I am quickly learning how important the room is. I am upgrading from my entry level Klipsch Reference Premier and home auditioning Revel F226Be. I am not impressed, there is only a small bump in perceived sound quality. Same for the Martin Logan ESL I tried before that. However I heard and loved these same speakers in treated show rooms before trying them at home. 
mickeyb
572 posts
 
20k will get you around 80% of that 350k system. It’s that last 20% that costs a ton. It might even get you 90% there is you have great synergy with your components. 
Take your time, do your research and buy used. You will have a very enjoyable audiophile system. Good luck 
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