Advice on planning music system

[kadip]

Hi-

I'm interested in building a system primarily for music listening. Dont care about linking to video systems etc.All I see is home theater discussions and stores are all geared to that.

Can anyone give advice on the best component setups for music listening- should I go anyway with home theater receiver/ dolby etc or is there another route for music-only listeners?

Looking to spend up to $1000 on receiver/amp, about the same on speakers.

Thanks for the advice-

 

[sjdgpt]

The traditional audio rags use to recommend as much as 70% of the budget for a music system in speakers, and the rest in the electronics. I dont necessarily agree to an absolute %, but 70% would not be a bad starting point.


There are lower cost stereo receivers, that will give you a better bang for you buck, than a similar priced HT receiver. And even some of the less expensive HT receivers, especially Harmon Kardon, are more geared to music than HT.


From my point of view, drop the budget for the receiver down to as low as $500, and put the rest of the money into the speakers.

 

[Leprkon]

a pair of these:

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=3.1

or these:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m60ti.html

and this:

http://www.shopping.com/xPO-RX_V2500

or this

http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Denon_AVR_3805

 

[Nick250]

The traditional audio rags use to recommend as much as 70% of the budget for a music system in speakers, and the rest in the electronics. I dont necessarily agree to an absolute %, but 70% would not be a bad starting point.


There are lower cost stereo receivers, that will give you a better bang for you buck, than a similar priced HT receiver. And even some of the less expensive HT receivers, especially Harmon Kardon, are more geared to music than HT.


From my point of view, drop the budget for the receiver down to as low as $500, and put the rest of the money into the speakers.

I would second Steven's recomendation on putting the bulk of your budget on speakers. Also I would suggest auditioning every damn $1500 dollar speakers you can find to narrow down the speakers that engage you. Now the salespeople at the stores will tell you that you need a $1000 or $1500 receiver, but it just aint so. They will also try to sell you expensive speaker wire and connectors, but again it will have no effect on sound except for the placebo effect. Happy hunting

Nick

 

[hopjohn]

just an idea

Since your primary interest is in music you might consider going with a stereo preamp and 2 ch amp. You can find these at great prices used, and then spend the rest on new speakers.

 

[dsa220]

In order to better help answer your question, so answers to the following may help:

1. What are your primary sources going to be? If it is going to be CD’s (or 2-channel SACD/DVD-A), do you already have a player or will you be looking for a new one?
2. Do you ever listen to the radio (FM/AM)? I do, and find a good tuner essential.
3. Do you ever listen to or plan on listening to vinyl?
4. Listening room size?
5. Styles of music you like?

I would look at a good integrated amplifier; there are some good ones from the likes of Rotel, Creek, Arcam, Ayre, Roksan, Marantz, Naim, and many others. Their prices and features obviously vary, but worth looking into.

Speakers are such a personal issue, that without spending time with you it would be hard to quantify a ‘good’ speaker. Some people like Klipsch, Paradigm, Polk others like JBL, Energy and Infinity while I like speakers by B&W, Totem, Living Voice and Wilson Benesch.

Remember; that with speakers one mans honey is another mans arsenic. Careful listening, preferably in your home, is the best way to select a loudspeaker regardless of what the magazines, ‘experts’, salesmen and friends with good intentions have to say about it.

 

[nm2285]

If you're not interested in surround music, DEFINATELY stick to stereo equipment. It's just less expensive for equal or better quality.

Integrated amps with a separate tuner (if needed) are a great idea. There are a few more options in those than there are stereo receivers. I use the NAD C370 and love it. I've recently added an Adcom GTP-500 for a phono input. The two together cost me $525 (NAD open box, adcom on ebay).

Speakers are certainly the best place to invest your money. If you're any good with woodworking, try building your own. You can get lots of sound for much less using some good designs.