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Am I going insane?

I am not what most of you would call an audiophile, although I do appreciate a nice soundstage. I figured this was a good place to ask my questions. First I want to give you my situation though...

Last year I bought the Sony 40"XBR. I love it. Now it's time to purchase a very modest sound system for HT and 2channel. I don't have ANY equipment yet. I do know that the speakers are the first, most important piece to aquire.

So, I was at a dealer last week. I was listening to the B&W CDM NT1 series in both 5.1 and 2 channel. The sound was clear and I was pretty impressed. This is the B&W series (at least retail) that is in my price range.
Then, the fella helping me switched to the Boston Acoustics VR-M60s, with the matching center and surrounds. I thought that the BAs sounded better...much better...more free, less boxy. Both sets were being played from a Yamaha reciever (not hifi to be sure, but I can't afford good components yet). AM I NUTS? Would seperates make this setup sound better? The room was setup nicely, at least as far as my limited experience can tell.

Since then I have listened to a PSB setup, but wasn't as impressed. I also teased myself with a BEAUFIFUL Sonus Faber setup that I might be albe to afford in about 1000 years. I am looking for other options, but am limited by around a $2000 budget for speakers. If I can get something used that is higher quality (but able to be pushed from a reciever for a while), I certainly will go that way. I read similar posts as this regarding Thiel 1.5s. I am searching for a place to hear these.

I have decided to go with the Velodyne SPL800 or SPL1000 sub, as I really liked how it dissapeared in the B&W and BA setups.

Please help a really green newbie who is trying to get some bang for bucks.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes
zstokes OP
124 posts
 
Inscrutable,

I am actually trying to get a system that is little more centered on music, hence the main monitors, sub and electronics first. I am going to try to pick some speakers and a pre/pro that will give the ability to do Digital Dolby/DTS if not great, at least well.

I think I have narrowed my pre/pro & amp choice down to somthing like the Rotel RTC965 & RB1070 or RB1080m OR, a B&K Ref20 or Acurus ACT-3 with a yet to be determined amp. Now, I want to stess that I haven't listened to anything yet, and I am going to 'shop around' for at least another month before I buy anything (unless I find speakers I fall in love with). Anyway, do the above choices make any sense for a newbie, sound first but HT compatible system? I know the electronics also kinda hinge upon the speakers, but I am looking for ballpark opinions here...

Thanks again for all your opinions. I really appreciate your time spent thinking and typeing. I really don't think I could do this without all of your help.

Z
danheather
108 posts
 
I have to agree with Inscrutable here. I would not rule out a very nice receiver in your search. Pre/pro is a nice way to go too, but I would hazard to guess that you could to MUCH better by purchasing a high quality receiver (NAD, Marantz, Onkyo Integra, Rotel) on the used market and use the money that you saved on better speakers (also used).

Many posters here will instantly discredit mass market gear w/o having ever even heard it. Contrary to popular belief, some of the mass marketers (including Denon and even Sony - ES) do make some very nice gear. It's not all crap. Don't get caught up in the name game.

Anecdotal story: My father has gotten off of the Audiophile Merry-Go-Round and has been using the same gear for a good number of years. Prior to quitting the hobby, he had gotten into home theater (ProLogic!!). He has since parted with all of the surround speakers but kept his Onkyo Integra Pro series receiver. He uses it in two channel mode and, honestly, it sounds terrific. He's driving a pair of old Thiel 3.5s (not an easy load) and it really does a nice job. The point here is that many of the elitists on this site would laugh (literally) at the thought of using a ProLogic receiver to anchor an "audiophile" music system. He would have to spend A LOT of money to do appreciably better.

It's easy to get caught up in the hysteria and lose sight of your goal and objectivity. Take your time, leave your preconceptions (misconceptions?) aside and keep your focus. Who knows...? When it's all said and done, you may not even have a single "audiophile" component in your system....and that's not necessarily a bad thing :-)
bart
7 posts
 
Greetings...

I have finally heard a small satellite-sub system worh reccomending. The Accousitc Energy Aego system was surprising musical and satisfying. I have heard the 2 channel setup and have successfully recommended it to aspiring audiophiles.

The supplier has been so successful that they are introducing a 5 channel home theater rig with all the amps and a processor built into the subs...plug in your source and you're done. If it sounds anything like the 2 channel gear I may FINALLY dip my toes in the revolting(to me) home theater pond.

Also, for what its worth, "The Absolute Sound" pretty much loved them in a review earlier this year.

Trust your ears

Regards,
zstokes OP
124 posts
 
Greetings.

I listed to the Bostons today at another dealer. They were not setup in a listening room like the first time, and were being pushed by a Parasound amp. Needless to say, they sounded much different. Not nearly as cozy as the little room the first time.

I next went to another place, and listened to the Thiel 1.6s. These sounded much, much better than the Bostons. I expected as much, but not to the level of better that they were....I would absolutly spend twice the money on these.

I listened to these again though, in a much smaller room than what I would be placing them in. You see, my living room connects with my dining area (3 steps up), that is directly below my loft. 20ft ceiling at it's highest point. Am I screwed?

Anyway, I really like the Thiels. I have a few more auditions to go through, but these are definitly tops on the list now. I have no idea what I need to drive them, but I will ask those questions when I have made a decision.

Good Evening!
Z
bbtuna
96 posts
 
The Theils will do just fine in your home. Ask the dealer if you can bring them home and it will settle it for you. They will probably lend you the electronics needed too.

I have had the 1.5s in my 11 x 19.5 x 8 which opens into my dinning room. No loft ceiling but this shouldn't hurt anything. I really loved the Thiels, they are a truely great speaker and if the the new 1.6s follow suit, and I have heard they do, then you are buying a truely elegant speaker.

Lots of choices in the 2k range new and even more used. However with the Theils, as with a number of others, you will be proud and happy. Plus these have a very high wife factor. You will of course need a sub for home theater but that will always be true.

If you want music first and video second then I recommend you look to a sub that is better known for music then movies. Rel is my favorite, kinda expensive but no better build quality and they are made specifically for music.

happy listening,
cd

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