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New system coming together Stands/Sub for 805s?

Hi All ... taking the plunge and putting together an audio (70%)& HT (30%) setup.

After much auditioning (6 months) and reading and thinking, I've decided on the following:

Speakers: ($3,400)
* B&W 805s front
* B&W HTM2 center
* B&W VM1s rear (may seem odd/unmatched, but don't really think that surrounds matter much and I'm not into multi-channel audio and need something good but tiny and that integrates into the room well)

Electronics: ($3,400)
* Rotel 1060 CD/DVD
* Rotel 1066 Pre/Pro
* Rotel 1075 Power Amp

Considerations: ($???)
* Sub - just spend $500 and get a B&W ASW600 sub for good performance or need to spend $1200-2200 for an AWS800 or REL sub to exploit much more noticeable performance??
* 805 stands - B&W's are expensive and don't look spectacular, how much needs to be spent and what will work well on wooden floors of my room?

What do you think of the decisions and what advice do you have on the sub, stands, etc.? Thanks in advance for all of the great insight, as always!

Shawn :)
tradershawn
tradershawn OP
3 posts
 
Great comments Nrenter/Valleyplastic ... a) I think I'll go for a Strata III, especially if I can find one for less than retail here or elsewhere. Also, how typical is it to get gear for less than retail price?

All the local stores I've visited gave the presumption that you would pay full retail price, no questions asked. Is this the case or is it negotiable to a certain percent (10%, 20%, etc.)? If I can get the 805 stands for $460, I may as well do that and be done with it.

In general, if I'm spend $7-10K on a system, what is reasonable to ask in terms of a discount/break?

Shawn
ehart
215 posts
 
A normal discount in this area runs about 10%. You can do better than that on demos or last year's models. Don't beat the dealer unmercifully, ask respectfully.

Particuarly since you are buying a complete system, this is quite reasonable. Once they give you the discount, a dealer will usually continue to give it to you for any additional pieces you buy.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
765 posts
 
A 10% discount is pretty common (as long as you a pleasant to deal with). Personally, as long as I can get a discount to cover the sales tax, I claim victory. If you are willing to pay cash, you may do even better. Remember, salesmen have to make a living, too.

I paid $270 (I believe) for my Sanus stands, then another $6 for the sand I filled them with.
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