Please help a noob


First off, I'll try to Reader's Digest this as much as possible.

I'm looking to set up a simple 2 channel reference system. And by reference I mean something small-ish that will be used primarily in the near-field as a critical listening set-up in a relatively small room which I plan on doing some acoustic treatments in as well.

I work in the car audio industry (yeah, I know, never get as good in a car, etc. and I agree) What I am looking for is a system that I can both use as a reference tool for work related things (be able to have a good baseline for what things are supposed to sound like so I can use that knowledge for systems I build at work) and also recreational listening. Source will likely be 80% iPod (lossless or wav) and 20% CD.

I have been reading all over the place and am just overwhelmed with all the options. My current hangups are integrated vs. separate, and then options beyond that.

I don't have a tone of $ to work with. I'd like to keep the preamp/amp portion of this in the $700-$850 ish range.

Finally, I have the option to buy Parasound New Classic products new at a very good price. My main question I guess is Parasound New Classic 2100 pre + either New Classic 275 or 2125 or look at used in which I've been looking at Parasound HCA amps and P/LD 1100 pre. Also, the used option opens up things like NAD, Rotel, etc.

Like I said, looking for input on this front from people in the know because I feel somewhat lost. Sorry for the rambling, and thanks for any input!

-Adam
diamondjoequimby
Hi Diamondjoequimby, Watts cost money and quality amplifiers capable of driving speakers with demanding loads can get expensive. Therefore, one of the best things you can do to control costs, is to choose a speaker that is easy on your amplifier. With that in mind, I recommend shopping for speakers first.
Thanks for all the input guys. I'm eyeing the HRT istreamer or music streamer for the dac. I really like the price point on those too. Speakers are totally undecided. The only things I've had the chance to listen to in person are a set of Dynaudio bookshelfs (forget the model) and a pair of Vandersteen 2ce. Of the 2 I liked he vandersteens better, but like I said, I'm way up in the air on that front,

I thought about the studio monitor set up, but was initially looking at some Genelecs and kind of abandoned the idea when everything I saw had them pairs with a mixer of some sort for input. I'll look at the NHT setup and some other passive volume control options.

Thanks again, and I'll try to keep dumb questions to a minimum.
Choose your speakers first, then your amplification. Not the other way around.
If you want some advice check out Von Schweikert VR-1 monitor speakers and a Marantz PM8004 integrated amplifier. The VR-1s are lively easy to drive speakers with excellent bass and the Marantz is the best sounding 70 watt integrated amp for $1000. The VR-1s sell for around $500 used depending on condition.
Picking speakers first makes sense. I suggest the same thing to my customers and honestly feel like a bit of a dumbass for not thinking of this the same way. Oh well. Now off to find some places to listen to speakers...