Hi, I'm new to the forum. Just joined today after finding it extremely helpful! Your help would be much appreciated!
So here is my current situation. I recently got married and will be buying a house in the next couple years here. I would like to get my first audio system sometime between now and then as I've always dreamed of. I currently have nothing as far as quality audio products go. I'll be saving appropriately to get what you recommend!
As far as price range goes, I guess about the most I can justify is $4,000. But I don't want to get tied into a budget just to spend that much money. I guess what is more important is value for money. If jumping up the line would make a big difference, then I guess I can justify it.
I have gone the only two nice audio/video outfits in the city of Portland Oregon (that I know of) and they have pushed two different brands on me after much auditioning as far as speakers go, and one for receivers. Rotel for receiver and both Paradigm and B&W for speakers. This kind of limits me I realize but I want to buy a speaker I am able to listen to.
Let me qualify my listening habits. Percentage wise, probably 50-60% music and the rest TV and DVD's. I'm not a huge theater junky. As far as room size goes, I'm unsure as we will be buying a house in the near future and that will all be changing.
The auditions were brand specific as both store only carry either B&W or Paradigm. As far as sound to my ear goes, I personally prefer the B&W CM 7's to the Paradigm Studio 60's.
So my question to you is...
I would like to make this a one time purchase, not regretting it down the road and wishing I had gone higher up.
As far as receivers go, what would you recommend I take a look at in the Rotel lineup? I've looked at both the 1052 for $899 and 1056 on sale for $999. Personally I appreciate their straight forward, non-techy approach. I want something that will handle theater in the future, but doesn't sacrifice music sound quality. Other lines would work too, just don't want a receiver that you have to have a college degree in engineering to understand.
As far as speakers go, what other speakers in the B&W, Paradigm, or any other line should I check out? What am I losing if I end up going down a step to a different B&W line?
Sorry for so many questions! I'd love to hear any and all input...including don't write so much. Thanks in advance!