I'm a bit compulsive at researching- help me choose?

[RandyH2]

As the title suggests, I really enjoy reading about all of the gear, the technical aspects, the comparisons, etc. Unfortunately, the compulsive side of me and the incredible quantity of audiophile-po*n means I could spend WAY too much time reading without ever getting to the point of buying. So, I am asking for the collective wisdom here to help me out. I'll still read and research, but if those of you who already know so much about it all can steer me in the right direction I'd be grateful.

What I know so far:
1) I really appreciate the audio quality of high-end gear. Sitting in the listending room at a high-end shop still puts tingles down my spine and a stupid grin on my face, every single time.
2) I can't afford to spend $10,000. Maybe $5,000 over the next year.
3) I really like the sound of my NAD T-743 through Cambridge M-80's, would love to get some serious speakers, etc. We have a pretty serious sub, a HSU VTF-3.
4) I don't have a good listening room from an accoustics standpoint, so I am a bit concerned about results even with nice gear- I'll have to do some home auditions.
5) We need a new Blu-Ray player. I'd like to have the option to play BD-3D at some point, if only for the kids. I'll need a new TV for that, so not a priority as I am happy with our current TV.
6) I have an Onkyo TX-NR807 with a dead power supply or whatever the problem is with those things. As it just went out of warranty I'll probably crack it open to see if there is a blown capacitor or something easy to fix. If not, I'll need to replace that for the home theater.

With all of that in mind, I know speakers are a priority and also very subjective so I will do the auditioning locally but am open to suggestions for atypical or highly recommended speakers. I do have a Paradigm center channel that I will likely keep unless it really doesn't mate well with the primary speakers I choose. The surround speakers are less of a concern to me. Surround sound is cool but I want to focus on exceptional stereo sound for now.

The part that has me stumped is what to do about movie and music playback. As I see it, there a three or more options:
1) Oppo BDP-93 (or something similar) plus streaming audio from my computer over wireless or ethernet, through whatever AV receiver I end up using or the NAD T-743. Would it be Computer -> Oppo DAC -> NAD for audio stream?
2) A less expensive 3D Blu-Ray player plus an external DAC and start exploring HD music downloads instead of SACD/DVD-A, if that is even an option.
3) Add some sort of media server (Olive or whatever) to option 1 or 2. My computer is almost always on so it seems a bit pointless, and expensive, to not use it as a source for some DAC. Or not?
4) Something I haven't thought of....

My apologies for the long post.

Cheers,
Randy

 

[GranteedEV]

1) I really appreciate the audio quality of high-end gear. Sitting in the listending room at a high-end shop still puts tingles down my spine and a stupid grin on my face, every single time.

I think what you enjoy most, is good speakers free from dynamic compression and adequately powered, and carefully set up generally in dedicated spaces. Don't think much on the other stuff (CD Players, DACs, Preamps, cables) - despite what the shops might tell you. I'm not going tell you one way or the other whether the improvements those things make is audible (it shouldn't be unless they're POOR) but i'll definitely tell you not to worry about them. Yes, there's crappy gear and I suspect you've owned some in the past, but once you get past crappy gear it becomes far less significant. It's about having the amp power to drive speakers that can be driven by the amp power to the levels necessary to reproduce the recording at lifelike levels with minimal alteration of the signal both in terms of direct response as well as reflected response.

2) I can't afford to spend $10,000. Maybe $5,000 over the next year.

Perfect. Let us help you pick your speakers when you get to it, and remember there's a LOT of options out there, not just what you've heard.

4) I don't have a good listening room from an accoustics standpoint, so I am a bit concerned about results even with nice gear- I'll have to do some home auditions.

When you say this, what do you mean exactly by "not good? While the room is definitely a big part of what you hear, speakers should not be chameleons based on the room they're in.

With all of that in mind, I know speakers are a priority and also very subjective

Are they truly "Very subjective"? A speaker is a reproduction tool, so better speakers should sound like the original source material. The source material is what is subjective. The speakers SHOULD be objectively accurate, and subjectively GOOD LOOKING.

so I will do the auditioning locally but am open to suggestions for atypical or highly recommended speakers. I do have a Paradigm center channel that I will likely keep unless it really doesn't mate well with the primary speakers I choose.

You'll probably have to scrap the center channel. Maybe altogether, or maybe get a matching CC to whatever you want to end up with.

1) Oppo BDP-93 (or something similar) plus streaming audio from my computer over wireless or ethernet, through whatever AV receiver I end up using or the NAD T-743. Would it be Computer -> Oppo DAC -> NAD for audio stream?

It really doesn't matter. That should be fine, although IIRC that NAD has DACs too. Once you get whatever you get, the rest is just the setup method you find most convenient. The Oppo should be a good, albeit pricy choice. The disc noise is low and the fit n finish are supposed to be good.

2) A less expensive 3D Blu-Ray player plus an external DAC and start exploring HD music downloads instead of SACD/DVD-A, if that is even an option.

why an external DAC?

3) Add some sort of media server (Olive or whatever) to option 1 or 2. My computer is almost always on so it seems a bit pointless, and expensive, to not use it as a source for some DAC. Or not?

why an external DAC?

4) Something I haven't thought of....

spend the whole $5000 on this

----->

And maybe add three more of the same subwoofer. That's what I think. This will give you unbelievably flat bass response, and high end sound quality. At that point you can consider a high powered amp like an Emotiva XPA-2 to maximize dynamic range. Most importantly, avoid buying any electronics from the hi-fi shop if they're telling you it's going to improve SOUND QUALITY without any explanation. And if there is an explanation, run it through us.