Starting from scratch, passion for "steals"


For those who don’t like reading long posts:
I want recommendations on equipment, especially speakers, to keep on the lookout for that are SOLID performers for a dedicated 2channel system, that can be found for song (pennies on the dollar for performance equivalents). This opens up to vintage equipment, or more common equipment that can be found for cheap. I’ve got room for floor standing speakers and am not placement restricted, but I am limited with what I can do for sound treatments (baffles/foam etc) so keep that in mind. Jazz, Blues, Alternative, Folk, and some classical, is what will be mainly on this system.. (any of the harder stuff, trance, techno etc, will likely be handled by the HT system downstairs)

Now for those that like to read a stranger’s dribble and blather:

Ok, So as you can tell, I'm new here, and honestly I can’t claim to be an audiophile, as my technical knowledge is enough to know that I don’t really know enough, nor do I have the experience to make that claim. (as in my opinion, one has to be "familiar" with excellent equipment and music to reference what is good.)

Fortunately or rather, unfortunately, for me, though I dont have the technical knowledge and experience of an audiophile, my hearing is, well, as friends and family say, freakish to "unnatural". Now that doesn’t compare with a "trained" ear, but it does mean that I am typically disappointed in my or anyone else’s system, and forced to just make due.

Now, I sold a/v and HT for years in the mid 90s, went through all the training even getting what was the original THX certification for sales and design (useless btw) etc. etc. but the equipment we sold topped out at high consumer/very low high end.. goodguys btw so adcom/denon/polk/klipsch/energy were about as high as our stuff went. Good consumer stuff, but still a "box-store" so to speak. I'll admit that I was one of the more knowledgeable in the whole company when it came to home theater of that age, as I had just finished film school, but audio,.. pure audio,.. is a different beast altogether.

I finally have a home with room to set up a real system (actually more room/rooms than I know what to do with) and am ready to set something up that I can truly enjoy.

Unfortunately, in acquiring this home, and being in the process of almost completely remodeling it, now isnt the time for me to spend 10-40k for audio equipment. In fact many would say now isnt the time to buy anything.

Also I am afflicted with a condition where I just dont feel good about my purchases unless I'm getting something excellent for the price of something average or even less. This leaves me desiring those "hidden gems" and "crazy deals". But to get them in this arena,... I need patience, vigilance, and commitment, which I have, and expertise,.. which I dont have.

So I'm asking here for advice with regards especially to speakers... (as most of you will agree are possibly the most varying factor in a soundsystem)

I want advice on what speakers, vintage or modern, to be on the lookout for, that might fit someone like me. ( I know I’m not going to get Wilson Audio sound,.. or top of the line Martin Logans etc. as I have heard those setups, even though now I wish I hadn’t.. But, my current polk/denon (not either’s top of the line) never really satisfied, even though it was better than many. I’m looking for ideas, and advice from long timers with experience on the performers that don’t necessarily get the attention of the “price is no object” crowd.. Price is a big object right now. Maybe later I can upgrade a piece at a time, but starting from scratch.. It’s a bit overwhelming.. I think most of you have an idea where I’m coming from.

I will also throw in that I am leaning toward a tube amp setup as I, to this day, regret getting rid of my first hand-me-down system that my dad brought back from overseas when he was in the military before I was born. It was an old sansui 1000A which was supposedly a Japan only version, or so I remember that being the excuse for the cost of repair parts, with a TEAC real to real, cant remember phone, but the speakers had custom fabric for the grills so I never knew what they were, but I do remember that they weighed like 40-50lbs each.. Anyway, as taken for granted as that “old junk” was by me, I still yearn for the sound that came from it. Warmth just doesn’t seem to capture what I remember of it.. Although it did heat up quite a bit, and have a smell all its own.. Yeah, I miss that. (especially after just looking it up and seeing that people still like this guy.. I actually think I gave it away) Regardless, I doubt that even the exact thing would live up to the memory, but,. I do like the idea of a tube amp again, though I’m not stuck on it.

Anyway, thanks for reading and any advice you can throw my way.. If none, that’s fine too, I will just continue to scour the rest of the board.
fau5tu5
Thank to all who have replied already..
As requested here is a room description:

the room is 14'x21' and has 6'openings on two walls (passthroughs to other rooms) and a 7'x5'window on another. Hardwood floor and mild cathedral ceiling ( so it is about 8.5' at the low points on each side and about 15-18' in the middle.

As for the music I listen to, as stated, I guess rather poorly, I can honestly say that my tastes just about cover the spectrum.. for example this past month, my goto music has ranged from "Explosions in the Sky"(mostly instrumental alternative/experimental, very musical adn full of intriguing nuances,and well worth checking out if you havent heard them ) to a bunch of old Nina Simone recordings (a fave), as well as George Winston, Townes Van Zandt, the pixies, twilight singers, Yo Yo Ma, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Buddha Bar collections, Bloc Party, Decemberists ...

So really I cant say I have a particular type of music I listen to... I can say that Hard and Heavy rock (though I do still listen to some), isnt what I will be judging this system on.

I think since there seem to be (while reading through the forum)tons of preferences, perhaps it would be best for me to start by process of elimination. For example, speaker too big for my room, or ones that have real problems without lots of baffles and room controls. What spearker/amp/component combos DONT go well together.

I really appreciate and take to heart the advice to stay away from expensive repair vintage gear.. Solid advice, and honestly advice I would likely give to others even though I had forgotten to really factor it in to my own quest..

I would love more advise on what to look out for and avoid.

As well as any of those great bargains to look for that have really blown you away in their value. (Im getting pretty familiar with what is popular and what people and stores push, but those arent really bargains. I mean, I am sure if I went and picked up a set of B&W 805s and a JLAudio sub, with Rotel amp and front end etc (what a local hi-fi place reccomeded).. That I would like the setup.. but while arguably a solid "value" (get what you pay for) in many peoples opinion,.. it is FAR from a BARGAIN as it is relatively current, popular and with plenty of profit in the deal for everyone. No one is going to be suprised at the quality of sound they got for the amount they paid.

Oh and I'm in WA state, Eastside for those that know the area.

I hope that helps..
If you like the sound of Vandersteen speakers, I find them to be very natural and non-fatiguing, they perform WAY above their price point. If you only want to spend a few hundred get a pair of 1c's, if you can spend more, it's hard to beat 2ce Signatures for anywhere near their used price. I use solid state amps with them, but many prefer them with tubes.

Good Luck!
I completely understand your focus on quality for the money. I don’t ever expect to be able to spend thousands for a piece of gear, so have always looked for pieces that were generally conceded to perform as well as competing components that were many multiples of the price.

The option I went with for speakers just last week was Magnepan MMGs at $599. I haven’t had them a week and have nearly talked myself into .7s for $1300.

My CD player is an Onix XCD-88 that I paid $300 for in 2005. It is said to be another of those "best values for the money".

My amplifier is an Adcom GFA-555 that I have had forever. I am replacing the GTP-500 preamplifier with a $49 passive preamp. I would like to try tubes at some point with the Maggies, but like you, I will keep searching for that great value.

Good luck with your adventure.
have you visited any audio dealers in Spokane?

what is your price point - or did I miss that?