With an infinite budget, would you get your entire system at once or build stepwise?

[caesar]

Just curious if people would just plunk out the cash at once or get pleasure from adding a better piece periodically.

 

[Steve Williams]

IMO most start by assembling a system initially but to add new pieces later as experience and pocketbook dictate

 

[Bruce B]

I would say piece by piece. That way you can tell which components you don't care for instead of having to guess what component in the chain is pulling the rest down... you know the weakest link in a chain thing.

 

[JackD201]

Start with what I have and build up most definitely. I like to get my handle on all the quirks of each component. I can't deal with more than one at a time. The only exception I've made is with preamps and amps meant to be used as sets.

 

[Gregadd]

Of late I have become a big fan of the system approach. Then fine tune as you go along.I assume you mean "cost no object" and not "infinite." With an infinite budget I'd just buy all the best and switch them in and out.

 

[Jay_S]

Infinite budget? I would definitely just go out and buy a whole new system. I don't have anything now that I would retain if I am buying a new seven figure system.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

I'd start by listening to the best big active speaker systems in the world (the travel for auditioning would be part of the budget!). Once I had chosen between bi-pole and boxes, I'd build the room for them. I wouldn't need anything else but a Benchmark DAC1Pre....oh, and a pair of Sennheiser HD800s. I'll bet that even with the travel and the room addition I'd come in under some of you guys .

Tim

 

[flez007]

Same.. I would start with the best suitable speakers for my room size/decor/shape and build up from there... with that scratch I am sure one could apply to at-home listening.

 

[mullard88]

I love this fantasy. I will start by assembling my two favorite complete systems. Then I will acquire more components that work well with what I have. I will then swap these components in and out of the systems as my mood pleases.

 

[DonH50]

Whole system, since I believe in synergy among components, and certainly the lack of it... May be hard to see G*d, but the devil is everywhere... I think things should be chosen that play well together. I have plenty of experience through the years in assembling systems for people who decided what they wanted without regard for how the pieces may work together. Or not.

Don't forget the room treatment; with an infinite budget, I'd build a room!

 

[microstrip]

Could I use a small part of the infinite budget to build a new house?

I would buy the whole system in one step, but the whole system with complete burn-in. Why having an infinite budget and have to wait 600 hours to listen to decent music?

 

[JackD201]

You can keep it at my place, I'll burn everything in for you!

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

I offer professional burn-in services, and we're currently running a buy one/get one free promotion on complete systems over $10k. Buy 600 hours, get 1200 for no additional cost.

Tim

 

[wineslob]

I'd be in the one piece at a time school. Starting with Apogee Grands......................

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Would love to build a Canuck only system.

I'd start with an Oracle Delphi MkVI, and then perhaps a pair of SimAudio Moon 880M Monoblocks, and add to it a Classe CP-700 Preamp. Finishing it off with a pair of Hansen "The Grand Master" speakers.

Yeah, I think I could be happy with that!

 

[RBFC]

I'd be in the one piece at a time school. Starting with Apogee Grands......................

Jason Bloom (RIP) put his arm around my shoulder as we listened to his Grands being introduced at CES many years ago. It was like a proud father watching his kid in the school play. They were exceptional.

Lee

 

[Old Listener]

I offer professional burn-in services, and we're currently running a buy one/get one free promotion on complete systems over $10k. Buy 600 hours, get 1200 for no additional cost.

A very creative and entertaining post. Thanks.

Bill

 

[caesar]

I think there is something to be said for getting all your gear at once and satisfying that desire. But those who get their better and better gear stepwise - either as they grow into the hobby or as funds permit - get more pleasure from getting many small improvements along the way.

 

[audioguy]

An infinite budget? I would make serious upgrades in my video ( since I believe movies at home are better than in any theater). And since no home audio system comes close to live I would get tickets to every live musical event of interest and not worry about my music home listening desires!

 

[Old Listener]

I'd try a number of alternatives

> With an infinite budget, would you get your entire system at once or build stepwise?

I think that swapping gear and searching for differences IS the hobby for many audiophiles. If such audiophiles got an entire system with the best components for each function, what would be left to enjoy?

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An infinite budget is so far from my experience that I have trouble thinking it out.

I can map out a number of alternative approaches to meet my needs (3 rooms with 2 channel audio in each.) With an infinite budget, I could try out all the alternative approaches. of course, I'd want to get some top quality measurement gear too.

Bill