Advice needed for first hi-fi system

[Bahgy]

Hello everyone - I'm looking for some advice. I'm upgrading from my Sony stereo from 1993 - LOL. I have a budget of 5-7k and would love to get the forums thoughts on what to get. Because of space in the living room tower speakers won't work and I need to get book shelf speakers, a turntable and will be streaming music. Any suggestion would be much appreciated. I had my heart set on a McIntosh MA252, but that doesn't leave much money for the rest of the system. Thanks everyone

 

[lovinthehd]

Leaves so many questions. This is still just a 2.0 system you want? I'd concentrate more on speakers/room for audio sound quality than some esoteric electronics, tho.

 

[Bahgy]

yes 2.0, just for music listening while chilling out with a scotch

 

[lovinthehd]

Depends....which Scotch?

 

[shadyJ]

Since you are skipping tower speakers, you will want bookshelf speakers with good bass extension. One speaker I would strongly consider for your price range is the RBH PM-8. It's such a good speaker. It's a big bookshelf speaker, but it has tower speaker level extension and dynamic range. What is more is that it comes with its own amplifier, so you don't need to go out and buy one. All you need is a pre-amp. You can get different styles of composite stone for the accent panels, so there is customization in how it can look.

If you would rather have seperates, look at the BMR Philharmonitor. Very good bass extension for a bookshelf speaker, and an extremely neutral response.

McIntosh stuff looks nice, but be aware that its performance isn't significantly better than something that can be had for much cheaper. You are buying the looks, not actual sound quality improvements.

 

[mx416]

Is the OP total against a 2.1 system? May need a sub for full hz respons.

 

[Pogre]

You do want to focus most of your budget on the speakers. They are going to have the biggest impact on sound quality. Once you get that sorted you don't have to spend a fortune for amplification. Most of the more competitively priced manufacturers are capable of building competent amplification that will sound as good and transparent as some of the high dollar boutique brands. The idea here is, whatever extra dollars you might consider spending on more expensive amplification can go much further toward great sound if you put it into the speakers instead.

This applies even moreso to cabling and interconnects. Brands like Monoprice or Amazon Basics are more than good enough. There is no quantum magic that makes a cable sound any better than another. As long as they're also competently made you'll get just as good, and in some cases better performance than the expensive ones.

 

[Bucknekked]

You do want to focus most of your budget on the speakers. They are going to have he biggest impact on sound quality. Once you get that sorted you don't have to spend a fortune for amplification. Most of the good manufacturers are capable of building competent amplification that will sound as good and transparent as some of the high dollar boutique brands. The idea here is, whatever extra dollars you might consider spending on more expensive amplification can go much further toward great sound if you put it into the speakers instead.

Let me just echo what @Pogre said in his comment. Focus your budget and your attention on the speakers and the rest will solve itself. Speakers have the biggest and most pronounced affect on what you actually hear and experience. The most successful new projects seem to center around good quality speakers.

The recommendations for RBH and Philharmonic speakers are from folks that know their speakers and are trustworthy sources. You can't tell by reading his comment to you but @shadyJ is one of the fine fellows that does speaker reviews for AH. When he talks speakers, its good to listen.

Amps and all the other flotsam and jetsam will fall in line. Have fun! Planning and installing a new system is loads of fun. And your budget gives you room to make excellent choices. For your budget I would expect not just good sound but excellent sound.

 

[lovinthehd]

I had my heart set on a McIntosh MA252, but that doesn't leave much money for the rest of the system.

This is the part I'd rethink. Don't know why your heart is set on a McIntosh, but the rest of the sentence I think should tell you why it may not be the best choice. Another vote for concentrating on speakers. I'd skip the turntable as that is a chunk of budget also for little gain (altho if you already have a sizeable vinyl collection, maybe)....but I'd start with the streaming. Speakers and subs are where I'd concentrate the $.

ps would help to know just what the budget is....

 

[Pogre]

ps would help to know just what the budget is....

I have a budget of 5-7k

A pretty decent budget for 2.1.

Speaking of which HD brings up a good point in mentioning a sub. Especially if stand mount speakers are what's being considered. A good sub is as important as the speakers. It is after all, just another speaker. A specialized one, but it is another speaker. Room size is important to know for subwoofage.

 

[Bahgy]

You do want to focus most of your budget on the speakers. They are going to have the biggest impact on sound quality. Once you get that sorted you don't have to spend a fortune for amplification. Most of the more competitively priced manufacturers are capable of building competent amplification that will sound as good and transparent as some of the high dollar boutique brands. The idea here is, whatever extra dollars you might consider spending on more expensive amplification can go much further toward great sound if you put it into the speakers instead.

This applies even moreso to cabling and interconnects. Brands like Monoprice or Amazon Basics are more than good enough. There is no quantum magic that makes a cable sound any better than another. As long as they're also competently made you'll get just as good, and in some cases better performance than the expensive ones.

I was wondering about that regarding the speakers - thanks I'll keep that in mind

 

[lovinthehd]

A pretty decent budget for 2.1.

Speaking of which HD brings up a good point in mentioning a sub. Especially if stand mount speakers are what's being considered. A good sub is as important as the speakers. It is after all, just another speaker. A specialized one, but it is another speaker. Room size is important to know for subwoofage.

Yes a very generous budget, missed that

 

[Pogre]

I was wondering about that regarding the speakers - thanks I'll keep that in mind

The speakers really are the key to a great sounding system. Personally I'd like to own Mac gear too. They make some very nice looking high end gear but I put it in more of an audio jewelry category. Looks great and very well made, but I know there isn't going to be any audible difference in performance from what I have now in a Monolith 7. It just doesn't make any sense to have such expensive amplification driving speakers that cost less than it does.

Maybe one day when I hit the lotto I'll own some Mac gear, but the speakers would still come first.

 

[Bahgy]

This is the part I'd rethink. Don't know why your heart is set on a McIntosh, but the rest of the sentence I think should tell you why it may not be the best choice. Another vote for concentrating on speakers. I'd skip the turntable as that is a chunk of budget also for little gain (altho if you already have a sizeable vinyl collection, maybe)....but I'd start with the streaming. Speakers and subs are where I'd concentrate the $.

ps would help to know just what the budget is....

I'm going to now keep the budget at $5,000. I've heard $30k sound systems and even though they sound amazing I don't think I'll use it that much to validate the cost. The turntable is more for fun, I'm so tired of looking at computer screens, that's why I actually read paper books. Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

 

[lovinthehd]

A pretty decent budget for 2.1.

Speaking of which HD brings up a good point in mentioning a sub. Especially if stand mount speakers are what's being considered. A good sub is as important as the speakers. It is after all, just another speaker. A specialized one, but it is another speaker. Room size is important to know for subwoofage.

While the MA252 has a sub pre-out it's simply a full range mono pre-out. No other help for bass management.

 

[Pogre]

I'm going to now keep the budget at $5,000. I've heard $30k sound systems and even though they sound amazing I don't think I'll use it that much to validate the cost. The turntable is more for fun, I'm so tired of looking at computer screens, that's why I actually read paper books. Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

You're spot on. There's definitely a threshold for diminishing returns and your proposed budget is getting close to it for bookshelf speakers.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm going to now keep the budget at $5,000. I've heard $30k sound systems and even though they sound amazing I don't think I'll use it that much to validate the cost. The turntable is more for fun, I'm so tired of looking at computer screens, that's why I actually read paper books. Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

I've had a tt for the last 50 years (same particular tt for the last 36)....rarely use it now despite a fairly large vinyl collection. YMMV. I'd still concentrate on speakers for better value and as for tubes....meh.

 

[jinjuku]

I'm going to now keep the budget at $5,000

I was going to recommend these on your initial post (budget wise):

Genelec 8341A. These are three way active speakers. So no external amplification needed.

8341A SAM™ Studio Monitor - Genelec.com

High headroom three-way with unbelievable imaging. The 8341A is the point source monitor with the perfect blend of size and performance.

www.genelec.com

Get a Raspberry Pi 4 with Ropieee XL for ~$115

Topping D30 Pro DAC for $399.

Rest for software and some XLR cabling.

 

[Mikado463]

I'm going to now keep the budget at $5,000. I've heard $30k sound systems and even though they sound amazing I don't think I'll use it that much to validate the cost. The turntable is more for fun, I'm so tired of looking at computer screens, that's why I actually read paper books. Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

Turntable for 'fun', OK, so as to maximize your $$ for speakers I'd recommend going with entry level from Rega

Rega | Planar 1 Turntable – multi-award winning ‘plug and play’ turntable

Rega turntable PL1 Planar 1 RB110 tonearm factory fitted Carbon cartridge turntable record player hi-fi audio

www.rega.co.uk

 

[davidscott]

Turntable for 'fun', OK, so as to maximize your $$ for speakers I'd recommend going with entry level from Rega

Rega | Planar 1 Turntable – multi-award winning ‘plug and play’ turntable

Rega turntable PL1 Planar 1 RB110 tonearm factory fitted Carbon cartridge turntable record player hi-fi audio

www.rega.co.uk

Nice on the REGA. I have a Planar 3 with that Carbon cart and the conical stylus just sounds better to me on used LPs