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Best sounding system for under $10k

I had been dreaming about acquiring a pair of mbl 116e's since I heard them last year at the expo. I knew I had a very good system but the mbl's give you that you are there feeling. Well I just made a few changes to my setup recently and things kept getting better, so much in fact that I no longer will be looking at those mbls. It was the last change I made that really was the killer. I have sims pre p-5 and power w-5 amp, I had them coupled with rca i/c's, and just yesterday I switched to balanced and WOW what a difference. I am willing to bet that there is nothing out there for under $20k (list prices of course) that can beat this sound. If you are looking for that you are there experience consider how I got there. Speakers; merlin, these are incredible and worth every penny, amp as mentioned earlier sims p-5 w-5 they too are just awesome most defenitely world class , phonostage ear834p another excellent component, tonearm: clearaudio emotion, cartridge : sumiko bluepoint amazing for the money will probably get the blackbird, turntable: vpi tnt mark I and V world class and not overpriced, cables: bluejeans xlr balanced amazing cannot believe how much better the system just got from that change, other cables my own rca interconnects, room treatment: acoustical ceiling tiles, records as in lp's, and book shelves with books on health must be on health ha-ha. And that's it, hard to believe but this was all found used here on agon for under $10k. And I have to add that rarely did I hear a system in any of the retail shops get it right like this one.
pedrillo
ckoffend
684 posts
 
Rockadanny, that is a great post, especially due to the fact that you are honest about weaknesses and well described strengths/listening habits. However, for long term useage by others, I would suggest listing the components (as going to your system thread is likely to change as things move forward - possibly at least).
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
Ck - actually, my system thread is up to date and likely to not change (seriously, I mean it this time :^). But here it is anyway:
CDP - Opera Audio Consonance Ref 2.2 (upgraded w/ AuriCaps and ECC99);
Pre - Mapletree Audio 2A/SE (upgraded w/ Back Gates; NOS Sylvania rectifier tube; NOS 12SN7 Tung-Sol grey T plates for line stage);
Power Amps - Audio Mirro 45 Watt SET monoblocks (NOS Sylvania input and driver tubes);
Mains - EgglestonWorks Fontaines (originals, not model IIs);
Subs - ACI Titans (2);
PCs for amps - VH Audio Flavor 4s;
ICs for CDP-pre-amps - WyWires;
ICs for subs - bluejeanscable;
SCs - Harmonic Technology Pro 9+;
BrickWall Power Surge Suporssor/Filterer - for CDP and pre only.
And BTW, when I stated "not most resolving" or "dynamic", I do not mean it is not so, just not hyper resolving or hyper dynamic. It is satisfyingly resolving and dynamic enough for me while retaining massive musical appeal.
ckoffend
684 posts
 
I think Rockadanny's comments above are terrific in sharing the characteristics of a system and is often times the type of information OPs are seeking with just such a thread. I typically wouldn't throw out my favorite system, but it does not meat the OPs designation as sub $10K. But as time progresses and costs come down, it will some day. That being said, my favorite system to date has been:

Logitech/Squeezebox Duet and various transports
DCS Delius/Purcel
Transaprent balanced Super
Aesthetix Calypso with upgraded tubes
Balanced Transparent Ultra to (or Stealth Dream for a bit warmer sound)
Krell FPB 300C amp
Transparent Ultra SC
Wilson W/P 5.1 spkrs

Strengths in my room:
Incredibly dynamic.
Incredible depth and width of sound stage with terrific focus.
Highly resolving, detailed (I like) yet still emotional (not cold or sterile as opponents of both Wilson and Krell say).
Very solid/controlled bass (though not to the most extremes)
Very natural sounding, not bright as some claim of Wilsons and Krell.

Weaknesses:
Can be a bit forward for some, and very forward to those that like lush, bloom and bloat sounding systems (nothing wrong with those systems if that is what one wants).
Bad recordings sound bad (from a critical listening perspective). Especially harder rock, recorded poorly.
A bit of a mid-bass hump, but this is also partly responsible for the excellent imaging and focus.
Unforgiving of bad placement, poor quality components and the likes.
You really need space for the speakers, bad placement completely changes their performance characteristics.
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