$50k - $80k Budget…Opinions please.


Long story short, I sold my beloved 2-channel to reduce family debt. In about a year-ish, I’ll be in a position to rebuild with a hefty budget. I loved my Harbeth + Pass Labs combo. My REL sub died before I really got to integrate it, so opinions wanted there as well. I fully understand the diminishing margin of returns when moving into some arenas, but that’s ok, opinions are strongly encouraged.

I listen to a lot of Miles Davis/Coltrane, Radiohead, Tool, Pearl Jam, Brent Cobb. I’ve often preferred “organic” or neutral, not sure how technical that is.

toddcowles

Harbeth 40.2 XD

Kubala Sosna Sensation XLR and Speaker Cables

kubala sosna XPander power distribution and a kubala sosna Elation power cable for that and your amp.

Audionet Watt Integrated Amp…It’s much bette than Passlabs.or if you can wait until October the new Gryphon Diablo 333 integrated.

These new level of amps are as good as separates. Audionet will have a better synergy with Harbeth and are made in Germany.

If you want an even better speaker I would get the Sonus Faber Amati G5 and same electronics but they are $34,000.

I would get a Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC to get in some tubes.

Streamer would be new Auralic Ares G3.

With that budget, you might be able to build a dedicated listening room.  Depending on many factors, of course (such as the amount of work you do yourself and your existing floor plan). 

Accuphase Integrated.  I’d look at E5000.  Add Phono card.

Thorens 1601 TT with the avail MC cart.  Semi-Auto.

HiFi Rose DAC/Streamer: Get the 150.

Fyne Audio Speakers.  They have great Floor Standers and Stand Mounts.

Above average power conditioner and cables.

A bit of room treatment.

 

 

Yup. Diminishing returns.

Go to some listening rooms at a show or two, or at some decent shops. check out systems at 15k, 20k, 25k, 30k. Maybe a tad higher? But set a limit - no more than half of what you receive. Remember decent $$$$ down for treatment as that should be considered part of your system. See if there’s that much difference between them, but you may find yourself pretty darned happy with one not much more extravagant than what you had.

Invest the rest of your money and enjoy your peace of mind along with the music.