2. amps-preamps
  3. 184609-86238

$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
95dyna
15 posts
 

Here we go again. Another insufferable brand name basher. One reason I don't post very often is this. Then you take it a step further by comparing the gear you have trashed by comparing to another that on average cost 2 or 3 times more. I don't suppose you have considered how many Mac users on this forum you  have insulted. Reminds me of the guy that recently posted that all Esoteric CD players sound like tanks. Such an ignorant ilinformed poster. Is there a monitor on the forum to take such posters aside for the benefit of the rest of us? P.S. I'm not a Mac user.

curtdr
348 posts
 

@jamesdowningelliott   wise counsel

jpwarren58
682 posts
 

Has anyone mentioned re-sale considerations?

Audio can be/will be a merry go round.

 

ghdprentice
7,179 posts
 

@lanx0003 

 

+1

Yes. you have to establish a foundation based on relatively neutral reviews… Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, and HiFi+ are the bases of real Research. So, some recommendations here may point to equipment to do further research on. 
 

After reading these publications for over 40 years I can figure out how the component sounds or the reviewer has a strong bias pretty easily. So I would use specific input here as a recommendation for additional research and listening.

toddcowles OP
140 posts
 

Kudos to room treatment, I’ve had GIK produce treatments for prior rooms.  Yeah, not sure what all the financial stuff is about…but I’m good, so is my long-term financial outlook.

It took me about 10 years and $40k-$50k of saving, buying, trading, saving, buying, trading and so on to build it.  I certainly will be focused on previously used gear, as I’ve got 0 desire to absorb depreciation.  Though, there are some pieces that rarely come up for sale, and I’ll be in a position to purchase them if it tickles my fancy…but may not be anyplace convenient to demo.  Just seeing if those combos suss out in this thread.

The room is approximately 35 by 15.  The prior owner had been using it as a wood shop.  It sits off the back of our garage, and I’ll be readdressing with rock wool, Green Glue, and tracking/decoupling system for the ceiling.  I’ll have a direct 20 amp ran, it’s a short run from the breaker…maybe 10 feet.  

Again…thank you all for the responses.  

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