Entry Level Sound System

[ChrisMG]

Hello all!

I recently had the opportunity to listen to a Naim system (CD player, pre-amp, and power supply.) Up until then I never knew such a system existed. I never knew anything existed beyond Bose... ect.. ( Be gentle!) I was absolutely blown away by the sound!! I'm a musician and have a deep appreciation for classical music and MANY recordings. I also frequent the local symphonies when I can.

Are there any suggestions for an entry-level system that will give me similar clarity in sound and texture?

Thanks alot!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The most important things we need in order to help you are:

budget
size of room
constraints
will this be used for music only or music and HT
do you mind using ID gear

 

[ChrisMG]

Budget = about $3,000

Size of room = game room, shoebox shaped, large enough for a full sized pool table

I need this for listening to music only. I have countless priceless recordings on cd that deserve a fantastic medium to reproduce the performance. I'm not looking for something to blow the walls down...

As for HT and ID gear... I don't know what those are... (again be gentle.. I'm new to this whole concept!)

I'm used to hearing the Philadelphia orchestra and frequently traveling up to New York to hear amazing performances in Carnegie Hall as well as performing there with my conservatory. Sound clarity and texture are very important to me.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

HT is home theater and ID is internet direct.

Look at a few of these. The most important thing for speakers is auditioning, no one knows what you like and speakers all sound different. Remember most of your money should be spent on the speakers not the amp.
http://av123.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=18&Itemid=37
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=809&sc=hf
http://www.paradigm.com/en/reference/fronts-studio-series-2-2-13.paradigm
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series

 

[Joe Schmoe]

A $3000 system that I have been considering for myself is a Rotel CD player and integrated amp ($700 each) and B&W 683s ($1500/pr.) I think one would have to spend a lot more to do better than that.

 

[ChrisMG]

I've been looking at some of the Rega products (Brio 3 integrated amp plus the Apollo CD player.) It seems to me that these products would be a good start. Plus, they're very affordable.

 

[Davemcc]

When detail, imaging and soundstage are the prime consideration, Dynaudio is the best place to go that I've heard. If you want to pinpoint the location of a single instrument on stage or have it sound like the whole room is a stage laid out in front of you when you close your eyes, these are just amazing. The Audience series is certainly within the budget, maybe the Focus series if the dealer will deal.

I would back this up with an Emotiva RSP-1 and a Behringer A500 amplifier. I think $700 is too much to pay for a CD player. I would probably choose an Oppo DVD player as a source, or some other similar DVD player with good DAC's.

Up to $2,000 or more of the budget can be spent of speakers. Even the RSP-1 is a bit of a luxury.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

So you are willing to spend 2k of your 3k budget on a low power fancy amp and CD player when the speakers are the most important thing?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Good call Dave!

When detail, imaging and soundstage are the prime consideration, Dynaudio is the best place to go that I've heard. If you want to pinpoint the location of a single instrument on stage or have it sound like the whole room is a stage laid out in front of you when you close your eyes, these are just amazing. The Audience series is certainly within the budget, maybe the Focus series if the dealer will deal.

I would back this up with an Emotiva RSP-1 and a Behringer A500 amplifier. I think $700 is too much to pay for a CD player. I would probably choose an Oppo DVD player as a source, or some other similar DVD player with good DAC's.

Up to $2,000 or more of the budget can be spent of speakers. Even the RSP-1 is a bit of a luxury.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I think $700 is too much to pay for a CD player.

...says a guy who owns a Rotel CD player and likes to show it off!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

He didnt have a 3k budget!

...says a guy who owns a Rotel CD player and likes to show it off!

 

[Davemcc]

Good call Dave!

Thanks, I would already have a set of Dynaudio but I promised my wife no more speakers until I renovate our main bath. Well, either the Dynaudio or the Salk guitar burst maple HT-2's. [drool]

 

[3db]

Budget = about $3,000

Size of room = game room, shoebox shaped, large enough for a full sized pool table

I need this for listening to music only. I have countless priceless recordings on cd that deserve a fantastic medium to reproduce the performance. I'm not looking for something to blow the walls down...

As for HT and ID gear... I don't know what those are... (again be gentle.. I'm new to this whole concept!)

I'm used to hearing the Philadelphia orchestra and frequently traveling up to New York to hear amazing performances in Carnegie Hall as well as performing there with my conservatory. Sound clarity and texture are very important to me.

HT = Home Theater or commonly referred to as surround sound
ID = Internet Direct; companies that deal exclusively thru the internet with no dealers.

 

[Davemcc]

...says a guy who owns a Rotel CD player and likes to show it off!

That photo of the Rotel stack is just a pic I found on the web, not mine. From when you wanted to see matched components.

The closest I have to a fancy player is the Cambridge Audio DV89, even then only because it's an inexpensive universal player with Oppo internals readily available in Canada. The only Rotel I have is an RMB-1070, but for 2-channel the A-500 is a great way to go on a budget.

 

[ChrisMG]

If I could spend 2k on the speakers alone then it seems like I could buy a pair of n-sats for that ammount.

I don't mean to keep going back to Naim but they seem to be highly regarded products... Forgive me if I'm ignorant about this stuff... I'm sure it's annoying...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Why dont you go ahead and go listen and compare the n-sats with the speakers I listed and then get back on here and tell me what you think.

If I could spend 2k on the speakers alone then it seems like I could buy a pair of n-sats for that ammount.

I don't mean to keep going back to Naim but they seem to be highly regarded products... Forgive me if I'm ignorant about this stuff... I'm sure it's annoying...

 

[ChrisMG]

Alright, lets say I spend 1.5k on a pair of tower speakers and want to spend an additioinal 1k on the source, what would be a good option?

*edit* Lets say 2K on the PSB Image T65 with an additional 1K for the rest.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If I could spend 2k on the speakers alone then it seems like I could buy a pair of n-sats for that ammount.

n-sats? What brand are those?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/n-sat.html

n-sats? What brand are those?

 

[ChrisMG]

n-sats? What brand are those?

Naim.. I've already ruled that out though.. They're a little pricey for what I'm looking for.