Hurray...Finally found Audioholics.

[NuTReez]

I have been actively learning HT and Stereo products for a year now. I am just completing a new high ceiling open floor plan cedar house.
I first started at corporate websites and then found MSS, Audiogon, Sterophile, Videogon, AV Review, and more.

I finally got to Audio' when very recently reading the 2009 review of speakers $200 and under.

This was the most comprehensive analysis of comparison dynamics I have read yet.

From the brand names that did not agree to the comparison it is obvious that the fair and stringent testing regime that makes a high percentage of the other test and evaluation sources seem as though they were only out for higher economic revenue generation than actual real world results!

On internet (expert) people(s) advice I have gone from Wyred4Sound to Anthem P5's to Krell 403e/302e to Classe 5300's to Einstein class A tubes for Amps.

For speakers I have gone from DefTech 7000's to B&W 803D to Paradigm S8 v3 to Revel Salon2 to RBH TR2/R and more...all in 5-7 speaker configurations.

Processors Lexicon 12 HD to Anthem D2v to Krell 1200u to Meridian 861v4 all with room correction.

The costs of this system range from $35000 to $65000 depending on the deal of the day and including music server,wiring, room baffling, pro setup and a Runco 65" Plasma.

I have learned alot over the last year, even from some of the snotty audiophile crowd.

I feel sorry for many of the people in the US that are forced to downsize their lives.
BUT the one thing I have learned is that to "buy in lows and save in highs".

Everytime I find a great deal on all of the above mentioned equipment I get snubbed by my local consultants or gouged for all the wiring and setup bids. Then they say that I am just making unprofessional product judgement. All this did was verify that I had found some really good prices on ref quality equipment for 40-60% of the MSRP. All current models with True HD, DTS and HDMI 1.3 and they couldn't or wouldn't match what I had found or disputed it. So I have registered here now to try to seek advise that seems to represent the real world I am seeking. I will start a new thread with questions soon. I will be seeking a paid consultant to assist me in my purchase. Iwiil also greatly appreciate all advice I get from any enthusiast. Thanks T

 

[m_vanmeter]

I hope you are beginning to understand that in this "audio-video hobby" there is a little understood law called "enough is enough" and that the money you spend does not always directly relate to a noticable improvement in sound quality or a perceived overall improvement in the HT system.

The question you will need to ultimately ask yourself is: "does a $35,000 system actually improve your use and enjoyment of the system 7x more than a $5,000 system" ? Other than bragging rights, what is actually accomplished when the budget increases to astronomical levels ?

Also consider that your new "high ceiling open floor plan cedar house" will require a tremendous amount of acoustic treatment (which will interfer with the look and feel you want from just such a home ) to make any sound system, $1,000 or $60,000, sound any better than yelling at the top of your lungs in a big, boomy steel shop building with echos from every hard surface.

So, after all that soap box speech, welcome to the forum. There is a lot to learn so you can make reasonable and informed decisions, whatever you choose to do with your new build-out.