Is an audiophile 2ch setup possible with $2000

[Seth=L]

fmw, you think speakers have a minimal affect on the SQ of a sound system? How wrong that statement is. I do think it is great however that you are perfectly happy with with your system. If it meets your needs that is great, but their are differences between amplifiers, especially Class A tubes and Class A/B transistor amplifiers.

Take for example the Polk LSi series speakers that have been recommended, I would not drive them with a low end Teac receiver. They dip to low in impedance and are too inefficient to work well with such an amplifier. For low output applications, however, a Class A tube amplifier would power them handily taking care of any load the LSi speakers would give.

The order lain out before is pretty spot on: recording, acoustics, speakers, source, preamp, amplification, cables. Cables really mean the least and depending on the application amplification is moveable.

 

[WmAx]

For anyone that places any value on my knowledge, if you need a complete system for around the $2000 range, you can do much better than is typically recommended. What I recommend below will approximately equal(in terms of actual measured performance) the better 'audiophile' gear that would typically cost about $15000-$18000 new. This is due to 1. The severe used depreciated in price(but offer superb performance, even compared to top quality modern speakers) speakers I am recommending 2. using good quality low price amplifier, preamp and CD player in place of the typically over-priced ones used in such price range systems that do little more than provide prestige.

-B&W 801 Matrix Series II or III off of eBay($1500-$2000)
-Adcom GFA555 amplifier( 235 watts x 2 @ 8 ohms, typical measured) off of eBay ($300-$375) or similar power/value amplifier at this price range.
-Adcom 350 preamp/tuner or similar ($100-$150) or similar quality/value.
-Any used good quality CD player ($80-$150)

If you wait it out and get the lower winning bids for each item, you can stay very close to the $2000 limit, minus shipping. However, please consider room treatments as non optional, and consider them an additional cost. Just throwing this stuff in a random room(no matter how good the stuff is) is not likely to approach the potential possible sound quality.

-Chris

 

[furrycute]

These are some solid recommendations!

I've always been partial to beefy solid state amps, they just get the job done.

For anyone that places any value on my knowledge, if you need a complete system for around the $2000 range, you can do much better than is typically recommended. What I recommend below will approximately equal(in terms of actual measured performance) the better 'audiophile' gear that would typically cost about $15000-$18000 new. This is due to 1. The severe used depreciated in price(but offer superb performance, even compared to top quality modern speakers) speakers I am recommending 2. using good quality low price amplifier, preamp and CD player in place of the typically over-priced ones used in such price range systems that do little more than provide prestige.

-B&W 801 Matrix Series II or III off of eBay($1500-$2000)
-Adcom GFA555 amplifier( 235 watts x 2 @ 8 ohms, typical measured) off of eBay ($300-$375) or similar power/value amplifier at this price range.
-Adcom 350 preamp/tuner or similar ($100-$150) or similar quality/value.
-Any used good quality CD player ($80-$150)

If you wait it out and get the lower winning bids for each item, you can stay very close to the $2000 limit, minus shipping. However, please consider room treatments as non optional, and consider them an additional cost. Just throwing this stuff in a random room(no matter how good the stuff is) is not likely to approach the potential possible sound quality.

-Chris

 

[Seth=L]

However, please consider room treatments as non optional, and consider them an additional cost. Just throwing this stuff in a random room(no matter how good the stuff is) is not likely to approach the potential possible sound quality.

Yeah, the placement and acoustics setup for those B&W can be difficult. They don't work well in small rooms either from what I can tell.

 

[WmAx]

Yeah, the placement and acoustics setup for those B&W can be difficult. They don't work well in small rooms either from what I can tell.

I can think of no reason they would not work fine in small rooms, unless the room is so small that there is physically no room for the speakers to be placed. Proper acoustic treatment application, as in any room, is of course necessary.

BTW, one thing I forgot to suggest in that setup: A Behringer DCX2496 or DEQ2496 equalizer. Having that highly linear (and extreme low resonance) speaker system; it would be a shame to have no way to customize it's sound signature towards one's personal preferences. A quality equalizer is required. I don't consider it optional.

-Chris

 

[gliz]

Cambridge audio makes some great integrated amps, while not tube amps are still quite" audiophile" (and I hate using that word) as for speakers www.ascendacoustics.com makes some really nice ones