Sound System on $10K Budget


All, sorry if this has been asked a million times before. I am looking to build a home audio system from scratch and want to keep it under $10K. I have no idea where to start, and scrolling through this forum has just made me more overwhelmed. For context, I have a headphone setup (Meze Empyrean and HD 800S and a Vioelectric V280/1). Unfortunately, I haven't used the system in over a year--I find it too difficult given all the wires, turning my desktop on, etc. As such, I am looking to put in a home audio system that I can more casually listen to as I work, cook, etc.

The room I am putting the system in is 34 x 20 with 12 foot ceilings. I am looking for a system that is just all around good (jack of all trades master of none) given the budget. I will not be doing any room treatments, etc (not worth the marginal benefit and I am not looking for perfection here). The system will be used daily for TV and for music. As far as genres, I really like everything, but skew towards alternative/indie/pop/rock. I am guessing I will want a sub, but I have no idea and am flexible. I was thinking two loudspeakers, but I am flexible.

FWIW, I don't really believe in expensive cables and think it is a waste of the budget at this price point, but I am open to other opinions. I am open to buying used equipment (I actually prefer used equipment--I believe quality audio equipment should last forever). Overall goal is simplicity + all around good. 

tas2200

Keep above 250-300WPC for headroom, or you will clip the amp. 
 

 We learned long ago, using many amps, those 2W things while nice, you can’t beat 300WPC RMS!


 

Don’t you just love it when a novice says something like this? Bless his heart, so much to learn.

 

@tas2200  Choose your speakers wisely and you won’t have to worry about using an arc welder to drive them. Speakers approaching 100 db efficiency will have no use for 300 wpc.

 

 

Start with speakers.

2 Years ago I started my journey...

Are you handy ? I followed a thread for 10+ years on a DIY speaker design.

Elsinore speakers. Many consider end game. Depending on how nuts you go, you should have 5-6K left. Speakers are 98db per watt, so 10W will pretty much blow the windows out....  Been told they go louder than anyone ever needs...

That said, I did a Tube amp (8-9 Usable watts) (love it) turntable and RPie/LMS streamer ..

Many folks who never heard  music like this cant simply walk past the system... It draws most in, mouths gaping murmuring OMG, that sounds soooo very nice...

I figure that I'm still south of the 10k number. And I would spend double for the speakers if I had too.....

 

Good luck...

Not a novice. 
buying, selling, trading for well over 35+ years. 
 

 Headroom you will need!

flea watt amps are worthless!

 

35+ years of audio, had 100W receivers, etc, they clip, and distort , don’t waste your money 

250WPC minimum