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Looking to get started. please help

Hi everyone. I am new here. I had a friend suggest I check this site out. I am really new to higher end audio and am looking for some help!

For years I have been listening to music on a crappy surround sound system and I feel it's time to move on.

I know I am at the VERY low end, but right now I would like to spend about $1500 on speakers and amp at the most to move on to something better. Over time, I'd invest more money, but that's my max at the moment.

My main sources for listening to music would be a record player, my iPod, computer and occasionally my TV. Because I am not really into movies or anything like that, I've definitely decided I don't need anything more than a 2-channel system.

I went to a local shop and this was what was recommended to me...

Receiver - Onkyo
http://us.onkyo.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-8050&class=Receiver&source=prodClass

Speakers - PSB
http://www.wwstereo.com/PSB/IMAGINEBBA

But, then someone told me to come to this site and ask for advice. I was also told that I really shouldn't get a receiver, but instead get an integrated amp.

I really need help! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
rootsrockreggae
realremo
460 posts
 
If you're interested in buying used, your money would go further.
That Onkyo unit features bass management, which means to take true advantage of it, you'd have to buy a sub woofer. An integrated is going to have better amplification and a probably a better volume control, but very few of them feature bass management. Are you interested in a 2.1 system, or is this strictly a 2.0 thing?
On this site, there are plenty of good floorstanders for $1000. Your musical interests imply a need for speakers with a decent low end: monitor audio is a good start, I have the BX5s and enjoyed them when they were in rotation. I'd also take the Revel Performas, the Wharfedale EVOs, or the B&W CM7s any day.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Tekton speakers - VERY efficient, a 50 watt amp will blow you out of the room...

-RW-
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
837 posts
 
I like RW's Tekton recommendation. I've had 2 pairs, Lores and Katz Meow and still have the Katz. You get a lot for the money, I think much more than those $1,100 PSBs.
http://www.tektondesign.com/

Here's a link to some highly rated sub-$1,000 integrated amps.
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2013-tas-editors-choice-awards-integrated-amplifiers-under-1000/?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email-118
rootsrockreggae OP
18 posts
 
You know... maybe I would be interested in doing 2.1 over time. If I was to do 2.1, I wouldn't want an integrated amp like this, right...
http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/C-316BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier

This one is highly rated.
thesaint519
162 posts
 
When I got started, I spent a lot of money trying different things. Once I determined what the ultimate goal was, I was able to buy in line with that goal. What is your ultimate goal? Home theater? Two channel? What size is your room? What is your budget? I think you'll get more appropriate advice once these questions are answered.
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