What are some of the really awesome cd audio system out there?

[xistorix]

hey guys, i am pretty new to the audiophile arena and am thinking of buying my first audio system that plays those high fidelity cd....any recommendation or anything to look out for when choosing what system to buy? budget is around 10000 usd.

 

[DonBattles]

If I had 10K and I was only concerned with "stereo" playback I might have a listen to Classe'. Do you need the entire set up or do you already have some equipment?

 

[xistorix]

icic....i am more looking at an entire set up...as i am quite a noob in this area, will you be kind enough to run through with me what are some of the setups? equipments or brands that are really good in the market?

 

[DonBattles]

icic....i am more looking at an entire set up...as i am quite a noob in this area, will you be kind enough to run through with me what are some of the setups? equipments or brands that are really good in the market?

Are you in any way concerned or interested in video processing or are you looking to build a "audiophile" stereo system? If this is what you are looking to do you will want to go with an pre-amp, amp, CD player, speakers (and depending on this choice a sub). I recently had a chance to check out Marsh Sound Design and really liked the P-200T tube pre-amp and maybe two of their A450M mono blocks. For the CD player I am still looking into this for myself so I have no real solid recommendation other than the Classe' that I really loved the sound of. But I really don't think this is the way to go. As for speakers you can ask 20 people and likely get 20 different answers so all I can say is listen, listen, listen. In fact this is what you need to do no matter what component you are looking for. What sounds good to me might sound like mud to you Anyway I'm sure some of our fellow forum members will have plenty more to say on the subject.

 

[jamie2112]

Are you interested in a music system or a combo music home theatre setup? It would be helpful to know so correct recommendations can be made in your behalf.

 

[xistorix]

Donbattle thanks for the input, yupz i am indeed looking for more of a audiophile system...is there a good way to start building up one? I heard from my friends that the CD player will be one of the key things to look out for first before other stuff is it through? So i am now kind of more concern about which CD player will be the a good buy?

Jamie, yupz looking at more of a music home theatre setup...any good dealers or shops you guys recommend?

 

[TLS Guy]

Donbattle thanks for the input, yupz i am indeed looking for more of a audiophile system...is there a good way to start building up one? I heard from my friends that the CD player will be one of the key things to look out for first before other stuff is it through? So i am now kind of more concern about which CD player will be the a good buy?

Jamie, yupz looking at more of a music home theatre setup...any good dealers or shops you guys recommend?

No speaker, speakers, speakers and speakers. They and your room dominate the sound of your speakers. CD only in the quality of their analog sections. Any decent universal, or ND player will give you good CD playback.

Decide the speaker issue first and do not stint this budget, it should be half your budget or more, generally.

 

[xistorix]

Icic makes sense....so any speakers that is really worth considering? i have been hearing things about tubes and transistors...whats the big fuss about this 2 things in a cd player? aw sorry guys just starting out really need lotsa guidance here!

 

[mnnc]

There are many opinions concerning what is most important...bottom line is if you don't retrieve and faithfully reproduce it..I don't care what pre-pro-amp combo or recv'r or spkr's you own/purchase...it is only going to sound as good as its decoded. Cdp is first priority. A quality amp will last many, many years, and spkrs are subjective as to your liking or aggreement with your space/room. Here is my short list and bank the change.

Rega Saturn cdp or Apollo...2500us and 1200us respectively. Or used for about half that! Cambridge 740 or 840 is another terrific choice. Hell, buy a used Denon 3910 for less than 400...and have a univ player!

Emotiva xpa-2 amp new direct from Emotiva

For future options...(laugh) as we can hardly keep up with the changes...a clean Denon rec'r to used as preamp. Add more spkr's and run mains with the Emo and center/surrounds off the Denon for instant ht/surround sound.

PSB Synchrony 1's. 4500us new...can purchase right now for about 3+grand OR Def Tech ST's. Another to consider...Rbh 1266 towers.

Now you have a spectacular audio system.

You now have a great platform from which to build upon. Great resale value especially if you purchase prev owned.

Now some are going to comment on a sub...for most occasions you will not miss it for music listening with any of the suggested spkr's...but don't trust me...read the reviews. Best to ya'

 

[TLS Guy]

There are many opinions concerning what is most important...bottom line is if you don't retrieve and faithfully reproduce it..I don't care what pre-pro-amp combo or recv'r or spkr's you own/purchase...it is only going to sound as good as its decoded. Cdp is first priority. A quality amp will last many, many years, and spkrs are subjective as to your liking or aggreement with your space/room. Here is my short list and bank the change.

Rega Saturn cdp or Apollo...2500us and 1200us respectively. Or used for about half that! Cambridge 740 or 840 is another terrific choice. Hell, buy a used Denon 3910 for less than 400...and have a univ player!

Emotiva xpa-2 amp new direct from Emotiva

For future options...(laugh) as we can hardly keep up with the changes...a clean Denon rec'r to used as preamp. Add more spkr's and run mains with the Emo and center/surrounds off the Denon for instant ht/surround sound.

PSB Synchrony 1's. 4500us new...can purchase right now for about 3+grand OR Def Tech ST's. Another to consider...Rbh 1266 towers.

Now you have a spectacular audio system.

You now have a great platform from which to build upon. Great resale value especially if you purchase prev owned.

Now some are going to comment on a sub...for most occasions you will not miss it for music listening with any of the suggested spkr's...but don't trust me...read the reviews. Best to ya'

Show me that people can tell the difference between decoder chips. The issue is the analog circuits associated with the chips. However for the vast majority of systems the speakers will have far more issues than the analog circuits of CD players.

 

[emorphien]

Donbattle thanks for the input, yupz i am indeed looking for more of a audiophile system...is there a good way to start building up one? I heard from my friends that the CD player will be one of the key things to look out for first before other stuff is it through? So i am now kind of more concern about which CD player will be the a good buy?

Jamie, yupz looking at more of a music home theatre setup...any good dealers or shops you guys recommend?

You're not being terribly clear I think about what you want from your system. Is this a 2 or 2.1 channel stereo music system or do you want a 5.1 (or greater like 6.1 or 7.1) home theater system? When one says a music system it's often thought that they mean 2.0 or 2.1. Home theater is generally interpreted as 5.1 or more.

Which one you are interested in obviously not only dictates how much you can spend on each speaker but whether you need a subwoofer or not, and whether you need more than two channels of amplification.

CDs are obviously stereo, so a 2.0 or 2.1 should really be all you'd need to play them back.

There are plenty of other configurations aside from those I mentioned, but I am making the assumption you understand what 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 5.1, 7.1 and so on all mean. The first number is the number of speakers (and consequentially the channels of amplification and hopefully source material) and the second number is how many subwoofers. Some would recommend a 2.2 system for stereo music listening since that may produce better sound quality and blending between speakers and subs.