The $2500 System Challenge-

[Johnny Vinyl]

It's ok Bob. But compared to my stereo system, it's a pimple on a elephant's ass.

LOL! My beer came out my nose reading that!

 

[valkyrie]

here is a dual source $2500 system:

Odyssey Audio Khartago stereo amp ($950).
Vincent Audio SA-31 preamp (hybrid) $700).
Pair of Acoustic Research AR-2ax speakers ($350) - rebuild parts (two caps per and a refoam kit = $50).
Marantz TT-42 Turntable (includes a phono-preamp built in) $329.
Ortofon "Red" cart - $99
Cambridge Audio CD-30 CD player $329.

use the cables that come with the equipment - for speaker wire you can get 14 gauge "flat wire" from Radio Shack for $10 per 50' role (I don't really believe in cabling at this price point).

Little bit over $2500 - but the prices (except for the speaker) are dealer prices - figure about 10% less across the board for "street" prices.

The result? A truly full-range system (REAL BASS down to 52 Hz - and we are not talking about "Maggie Style" bass) with dual sources. Go buy some software (CDs and records) at this point.

 

[Andre Marc]

I am updating my initial recommendation to an active speaker and preamp set up.

I know HIGHLY recommend the Peachtree Audio NovaPre/DAC: $999.

A pair of active monitors from either KEF, Focal, Dynaudio, KRK, ADAM etc: approx $600

Either a Sonos, or a Netbook running Windows 7/Jriver: $400

Transparent entry level interconnects:$120

Keeping it simple with guaranteed good sound.

 

[MrAcoustat]

Thanks. I reviewed all the gear listed, and they do sound great together..well beyond what you would
expect for $2500.

But I must say I might be convinced now that active speaker with a DAC/pre may be more bang for the buck
and it is less boxes and cables to boot.

I'm sorry but for now computer music STAYS in my computer room and even there it's panels with Itunes lossless imported music, but for the serious stuff i'ts in my living room 100% cd,s - Chord - Acoustat's - Yes heaven on earth.

The Living Room ( the serious stuff )

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Andre - I'm not seeing the PC panels? Confused????

 

[FrantzM]

I'm sorry but for now computer music STAYS in my computer room and even there it's panels with Itunes lossless imported music, but for the serious stuff i'ts in my living room 100% cd,s - Chord - Acoustat's - Yes heaven on earth.

<snip>

Happy Holiday to you Mr Acoustat but .. What do you propose for a $2500 system. By now we all know you love Acoustat and all but ...

 

[MrAcoustat]

Andre - I'm not seeing the PC panels? Confused????

The panels are on the wall, they are Warfedale nxt,s Violin on the left & Guitar on the right

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

The panels are on the wall, they are Warfedale nxt,s

I almost thought that...damn.....

 

[MrAcoustat]

Happy Holiday's to you to Frantz, i already responded to my choice of a $2,500.00 system Heda integrated amplifier & cd player & Magnepan MG-12s the computer gear was in response to Andre Marc's system.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDj1ap6RCN_LhwTykVQneHSyW3fLfUF-tX89tpqmqsawNifxdOBnYxyE8T

 

[NorthStar]

-- Andre, I like your chair (PC chair).

Happy New Year! :b

 

[Andre Marc]

I'm sorry but for now computer music STAYS in my computer room and even there it's panels with Itunes lossless imported music, but for the serious stuff i'ts in my living room 100% cd,s - Chord - Acoustat's - Yes heaven on earth.

I'm confused about one thing..why are CDs the "serious" stuff and "computer" audio seems to be relagated
to a secondary status. A properly corrected CD file played back through the proper chain will be utterly indistinguishable
from optical disc playback on a flagship CD player.

 

[MrAcoustat]

I'm sorry but for now computer music STAYS in my computer room and even there it's panels with Itunes lossless imported music, but for the serious stuff i'ts in my living room 100% cd,s - Chord - Acoustat's - Yes heaven on earth.


I'm confused about one thing..why are CDs the "serious" stuff and "computer" audio seems to be relagated
to a secondary status. A properly corrected CD file played back through the proper chain will be utterly indistinguishable
from optical disc playback on a flagship CD player.

I'm sorry but i don't believe that a computer based music will be as good as an 8k cd player UNLESS maybe you invest as much money in that kind of system wich i am not ready to do and i have many friends that think the same as i do and SOME are also reviewers, but you sir also have the right to feel different, i have no problem with that.

PS: My computer based system costs about 3k and my living room system costs me about 20k, wich one do you think is better.?????

 

[Andre Marc]

I'm sorry but i don't believe that a computer based music will be as good as an 8k cd player UNLESS maybe you invest as much money in that kind of system wich i am not ready to do and i have many friends that think the same as i do and SOME are also reviewers, but you sir also have the right to feel different, i have no problem with that.

PS: My computer based system costs about 3k and my living room system costs me about 20k, wich one do you think is better.?????

Well, I believe you are very mistaken. There are several file players and streamers that when coupled with a quality DAC that will
make you reconsider, but you seem to be convinced.

Your system prices are meaningless..we are talking about sources.

I promise you if I set up a Bryston BDA-1/BDP-1 combo or a Naim streamer/Naim DAC you would have a lot to think about.

That might even apply to a Mac Book Pro w/software and DAC but I have very little experience there.

 

[mep]

I'll take on that $8K CD player with my music server running FooBar playing back DSD files through my Mytek Stereo 192 DAC.

 

[MrAcoustat]

I'll take on that $8K CD player with my music server running FooBar playing back DSD files through my Mytek Stereo 192 DAC.

If you are happy with that, then it's fine for me it's live and let live.

 

[Andre Marc]

I'll take on that $8K CD player with my music server running FooBar playing back DSD files through my Mytek Stereo 192 DAC.

Forget DSD files..with CD and DVD-A rips you will still come out even or ahead.

 

[mep]

If you are happy with that, then it's fine for me it's live and let live.

CD is CD and DSD is DSD. If you are happy with CD, then that is fine with me too. I know your criteria for great sound is digital without one analog pop or tick and you have that. Is your $8K CD player a one trick pony (meaning it can only play back RB digital) or does it have any other tricks up its sleeves? Personally I would hate to be stuck in digital land with no access to analog, but I would really hate to be stuck in RB CD land as my only source. I do think that DSD is a game-changer in the digital world.