A rookie with 10K, seeking advise


I'm new to the HiFi world. I listen to a lot of female vocal and classical music. I like both digital and vinyl. I am using a pair of Wharfedale Linton heritage and PS Audio Stellar Strata. 

I know this is too broad a question, but with 10K budget, where can I wisely spend my money? I don't mind tubes and I don't mind used either.

Any advise is greatly appreciated!

llid2

Since you’re not yet sure of your tastes yet and don’t have many viable options to go listen, I’ll recommend a system the shoots straight down the middle of the fairway (i.e. neither overly bright or warm) that will very likely blow you away. The best part is if I’m wrong you can turn around and sell it with little/no loss. This is the latest Joseph Audio Pulsar ll (upgraded) in gorgeous sapele wood finish WITH STANDS and a near-new Hegel H390 integrated amp.  I heard Pulsars driven by Hegel at a show and the sound was absolutely sublime.  Read the reviews of each to get an idea of their performance/sound characteristics.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649877069-joseph-audio-pulsar-graphene-sapele-with-sound-anchor-stsnds/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649881872-hegel-h390-17-mos-old/

You don’t need to be dumping tons on cables at this point. This looks like a very nice power cord and is dirt cheap — I’m actually buying one myself.  8AWG silver-plated copper, Teflon dialectic, and rhodium-plated plug for $39 1.5m and free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202808747120

And here are very good Cullen Cable biwire speaker cables — 8ft pair only $340.

https://www.cullencable.com/crossover-series-speaker-cables/

This will sound outstanding and comes in right around your budget.  Just one option to consider.  Hope this helps and best of luck. 

Your Wharfdale Linton's are a very nice speaker in their price range so the question I would be asking is does your amp allow your speakers to fill your room with the volume and quality of sound that you enjoy?

The Strata is not a bad integrated and it appears to have sufficient power but if it is not properly driving the Linton's you could also have a problem going to a larger floor standing speaker.

The Ortofon Black is a very nice cartridge for you turntable also.

 

 

@soix ​​​​​@jjss49 Have been my go-to's for advice. Their comments should be taken most seriously.

@jasonbourne52 suggestion of Devore is very interesting, but if I had Devore's I'd really want to drive them with tube gear. 

@llid2,

I agree with @jasonbourne52 and ​​​​@stereo5 as I also wouldn’t spend 10K on power cords and conditioners. For improving AC power, I would recommend a dedicated 20 amp line for audio only. 😎

Mike