Stereo Systems Question
- Thread starter big apple
- Start date
B
burt-oh-my!
Depends how high end I guess. I think Marantz makes good stuff, but we are not talking about the super-high end here.
Unless you are more concerned with the prestige of showing a system that the actual enjoyment of the system, you could spend crap loads of possible SP money on a system that you could never differentiate blindfolded.
I was working with an audio engineer that spent a fortune on one channel vacuum tube amplifiers including a 1 KWatt sub-woofer. I went to his place and other than the ability to defibrillate my heart using sound waves - I'm happier with my Sony surround system that I have.
However - if you have the money: http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/
I was working with an audio engineer that spent a fortune on one channel vacuum tube amplifiers including a 1 KWatt sub-woofer. I went to his place and other than the ability to defibrillate my heart using sound waves - I'm happier with my Sony surround system that I have.
However - if you have the money: http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/
Krell is exceptionable however it is not for the average consumer, it's not even for the above average consumer. I suggest you carefully consider the approximate dollar range you are comfortable spending and what you'd like to get for that amount of money.
Are you starting from scratch? Do you need everything; cd, amp, tuner, speakers, surround sound, etc?
What are you using it for; listen to cd's, radio, LP's, watch movies. etc?
More info is needed before anyone can competently recommend anything to you.
First, read this:
http://www.theaudiocritic.com/downloads/article_1.pdf
That will give you some basic protection from all the audio snake oil out there
Then, you may want to go to a audio forum like avsforum (google it) and ask your question there
Most useful tip I can pass along:
Spend at least half your budget on good speakers with consideration for the space they will be playing in, how they will be arranged/aimed, and the volume you plan to listen at.
No other component in your system will have as much affect on sound as your speakers (and the room they are in).
If you're old enough, you will remember the guys in the white van who approached you in parking lots and offered to sell you the best speakers ever made at the best and cheapest deal in the country. They said that their stuff in the van was the best on the market and why would they lie about that?
You are getting a lot of wide ranging advice in this thread. Never, ever buy Bose. They have great marketing, and a cheap product that will under perform. I would never recommend Krell, beautifully built but meh. Harman Kardon is perhaps the greatest American audio brand of all time, but only their vintage gear I would look at.
The reality is for 5k, you need to figure out your bias as you cannot have it all. Do you listen to older recordings and want intimacy at low volume levels with a lot of warmth? Do you want to play it loud and in your face? There are a lot of choices out there, and it has never been easier to build a great system at low cost (for as low as 2k, you can build something very nice). You spend more, you are getting better build quality, more refinement, etc.
The simplest thing to do is take the music you really listen to (not what you want people to think you listen to
, and go listen to a few systems. It can be a fun experience. Also do not make apologies about not being an "audiophile" (whatever that means these days). Just sit down, listen, and figure out if you like it or not. I would also pay attention to your digital front end. A decent DAC for both your CDs and iPOd can make all the difference in the world.
The reality is for 5k, you need to figure out your bias as you cannot have it all. Do you listen to older recordings and want intimacy at low volume levels with a lot of warmth? Do you want to play it loud and in your face? There are a lot of choices out there, and it has never been easier to build a great system at low cost (for as low as 2k, you can build something very nice). You spend more, you are getting better build quality, more refinement, etc.
The simplest thing to do is take the music you really listen to (not what you want people to think you listen to
, and go listen to a few systems. It can be a fun experience. Also do not make apologies about not being an "audiophile" (whatever that means these days). Just sit down, listen, and figure out if you like it or not. I would also pay attention to your digital front end. A decent DAC for both your CDs and iPOd can make all the difference in the world.Same advice here. the signal changes state at the speakers and needs the best equipment to do it efficiently. There are some good Canadian companies that build speakers, if you feel the need to buy Canadian;
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=47351
Paradigm, PSB, Energy, and StudioLab are available in many stores, so you can negotiate price more easily.
The choice of HK is a good one. They do things little differently than most and as a result, give lots of reserve power for listening at a lower volume .
Electronics wise, we all have our favorites. I like H-K amplifiers myself.
As for speakers, I have an excellent set of Energy towers that sound fantastic whether I'm cranking out Metallica or listening to a concerto. As far as I'm concerned - Velodyne is the only subwoofer you should be considering.
R2R
As for speakers, I have an excellent set of Energy towers that sound fantastic whether I'm cranking out Metallica or listening to a concerto. As far as I'm concerned - Velodyne is the only subwoofer you should be considering.
R2R
The electronic components are not as critical these days, if you spend $500 to $1000 you are getting pretty much good sound. The speakers and headphones make quite a difference in the sound. If you want excellent music, try Beats headphones by Dr. Dre, they go for approx. $150. I have them at my office where I can do work and enjoy good music. The Dr. Dre headphones deliver every little sound that is embedded in the digital source.. Another suggestion for single person listening is to set up your computer to play music and place a high end computer speaker set up on your desk in front of you. High end computer set ups with a sub woofer can go for about $200 - $250. Your digital source is also important, you will not get good sound from MP3s that you have downloaded free off the internet. Commercially made CDs are your best bet.
