Living audio set-up


Hi you all,

I want to upgrade my audio set-up (from a very basic with and old Pioneer amp and Polk speakers) and I have $8,500 to spend. I want to start choosing the speakers, but would also match them with an amp and a preamp. Some references:

- I used to listen to music with my turntable and my computer.
- I mostly like jazz and classical music.
- My living room size: 20x10 ft.

Would appreciate any help, considering some limitations: I'm from Chile and only some speakers could be found here (Revel, KEF, ATC, Harbeth, Dali)

Thanks :)
128x128sebbasstian
1. Think long, future flexibility, options, desirable future additions now.

2. efficient speakers: sensitivity 1w/1m: 90 db or more.

IF you can find efficient speakers you love, THEN it will reduce your power needs. That will reduce: cost, size, heat; and increase: equipment choices, placement options.

AND, critically, with all those advantages: enable trying TUBE equipment.

3. bi-amp speakers capability, limits your choices, but increases your future flexibility.

4. sub(s) now or in the future. Video: 1 sub can add some dinosaur stomp. Music: I recommend a stereo pair of subs, no ports, front facing located adjacent to the mains, so fundamentals and their overtones can establish directionality. 

5. speaker placement flexibility. I advocate steady placement with easy movement, i.e. felt feet, plastic slip sheets, or wheels (if so, 3 wheels with anti-tipping corner blocks). Find ideal placement and ideal toe-in for you alone, and adjust toe-in for 2 listeners to get both a wider center and retain some l/r imaging

6. Buy, Keep, Return/Exchange Speakers. 

Any speaker, the very best, is designed for an imaginary space, and any speaker might sound great, good, or down right lousy in your space.

If you cannot listen first, find a seller with several viable options in your budget that will allow an evaluation, refund or exchange.

7. Existing Equipment, Better Equipment Later, according to the long range plan.

You can use your existing equipment to ascertain the new speakers sound in YOUR space, then later you change to better equipment so those speakers can reveal more of the source.
Hi,first off I would recommend an all in one solution with built in DAC & Headphone INSTEAD of seperate power amp/pre amp.
 Hegel,SimAudio or Quad Vena2 would be at the top of my list..
 As for speakers you need a general idea what type of tone you want.I value an organic tone with ZERO tendency towards brightness..I do NOT like ANYTHING with metal drivers & prefer Silk dome tweeters & natural(Dali,Sonus Faber) or polymer(Harbeth,Dynaudio) materials..
 Don't spend crazy on cables,look at gently used cables,you'll get more for your $ often getting up to 50% off retail value..
 READ READ READ,learn about the different types of tone reproduced by different components..Good luck!
Oh, thanks for your responses. What do you think of Hegel H190 Integrated Amplifier/DAC? And which speakers would be a good match?

Thanks,