neodinardo
New member
- Thread Author
- #1
Hi everyone,
This is my first post here on Audio Shark. I like reading all the posts here, I love talking to my friends about quality audio equipment, and I could always use some help with building a nice stereo system. So here I am. Hooray!!
My PC speakers just died, I have been without a quality stereo system for some time now, and I finally realized that it was time. Time to build an end game stereo system. Or as close as my wallet will let me get there. Previously, the best audio l system that I have ever owned was way back in 2006 with a $900 NAD C 372 integrated amplifier and a pair of $1,000 Von Schweikert VR-1 bookshelf speakers. This was an amazing system to own for the money I had at the time. However, high-end headphones and in store B&W 800 series demos have dramatically upgraded my idea of what an end game stereo system might be for me. I am doing better in life than ever before, so this time I will be able to take a much bigger leap in audio quality. Now why are these Pass Labs amplifiers so damn expensive... Well this is audio. There always has to be something super desirable just out of reach!! I could do mono for a year and then upgrade to a second monoblock right?? I am sure I will figure it out
I am at the scary stage where I am considering everything and I definitely need to narrow it down. Pass Labs XA60.8 vs X260.8, Parasound JC 5 vs JC 1+, Naim SuperNait 3 vs Naim separates, Mark Levinson No. 5805 vs nothing else I can afford from them, the amp list goes on and on. Everything is more expensive than I would like.
Then for speakers I am looking at the obvious choices I suppose. B&W 804 D3, Focal Kanta No. 2, KEF Reference 3, but there has to be others I should be looking at instead. Something like Joseph Audio or Harbeth or whatever. Getting to dealers to hear the goods is hard for me, but I have a few options lined up. I might have to guess my way threw some other options.
My budget ranges from $10K to $20K max. But I have to get everything for that, the DAC, the stereo preamplifier, the stereo power amplifier, the stereo speakers with enough bass or a subwoofer, the wires, and any streaming box as I am mostly all digital for sources. Perhaps a 4K Blu-Ray player too. I already have a kick ass Threadripper PC. For the DAC I was thinking about the Schiit Yggdrasil 2.
I am torn on the JC 1+ or the JC 5 plus a JC 2 BP as the casework and aesthetics could be better. Pass Lass is always lust worthy but I am not sure it is the final answer just yet. However, it is a step up in casework and I could live with them. I very much like the idea of the Mark Levinson No. 5805 quite a bit. It is a gorgeous looking do everything box for about $8,500, very appealing for now, not for when you just want to upgrade one section. The Naim Supernait 3 looks great as well, has that Naim house sound which I am not sure I want yet, a nice streaming companion unit, and wow it is only $5K for the integrated amplifier. Hegel has a good rep but is made in China so I am not so sure about that, I hear lots about Bryson, and Luxman pops up on my research sometimes. These all seem well designed inside and out. OK, looks are not really that important, but it still puts a bigger smile on my face. It might sway me about 10%. Quality casework is worth another 15%, sound is worth the majority 75%. For anyone that says it is 100% sound I have a very nice cardboard box for you. Just kidding. Mostly.
One thing I found that I really want is a really nice volume knob like the one the Mark Levison has. I do not want standard volume knob technology, no I want those special optical step ladders and relays or whatever.
That should be more than anyone cares to read on a first post. I will be here on the forum asking stupid questions.
YouTube
Bye for now.
This is my first post here on Audio Shark. I like reading all the posts here, I love talking to my friends about quality audio equipment, and I could always use some help with building a nice stereo system. So here I am. Hooray!!
My PC speakers just died, I have been without a quality stereo system for some time now, and I finally realized that it was time. Time to build an end game stereo system. Or as close as my wallet will let me get there. Previously, the best audio l system that I have ever owned was way back in 2006 with a $900 NAD C 372 integrated amplifier and a pair of $1,000 Von Schweikert VR-1 bookshelf speakers. This was an amazing system to own for the money I had at the time. However, high-end headphones and in store B&W 800 series demos have dramatically upgraded my idea of what an end game stereo system might be for me. I am doing better in life than ever before, so this time I will be able to take a much bigger leap in audio quality. Now why are these Pass Labs amplifiers so damn expensive... Well this is audio. There always has to be something super desirable just out of reach!! I could do mono for a year and then upgrade to a second monoblock right?? I am sure I will figure it out
I am at the scary stage where I am considering everything and I definitely need to narrow it down. Pass Labs XA60.8 vs X260.8, Parasound JC 5 vs JC 1+, Naim SuperNait 3 vs Naim separates, Mark Levinson No. 5805 vs nothing else I can afford from them, the amp list goes on and on. Everything is more expensive than I would like.
Then for speakers I am looking at the obvious choices I suppose. B&W 804 D3, Focal Kanta No. 2, KEF Reference 3, but there has to be others I should be looking at instead. Something like Joseph Audio or Harbeth or whatever. Getting to dealers to hear the goods is hard for me, but I have a few options lined up. I might have to guess my way threw some other options.
My budget ranges from $10K to $20K max. But I have to get everything for that, the DAC, the stereo preamplifier, the stereo power amplifier, the stereo speakers with enough bass or a subwoofer, the wires, and any streaming box as I am mostly all digital for sources. Perhaps a 4K Blu-Ray player too. I already have a kick ass Threadripper PC. For the DAC I was thinking about the Schiit Yggdrasil 2.
I am torn on the JC 1+ or the JC 5 plus a JC 2 BP as the casework and aesthetics could be better. Pass Lass is always lust worthy but I am not sure it is the final answer just yet. However, it is a step up in casework and I could live with them. I very much like the idea of the Mark Levinson No. 5805 quite a bit. It is a gorgeous looking do everything box for about $8,500, very appealing for now, not for when you just want to upgrade one section. The Naim Supernait 3 looks great as well, has that Naim house sound which I am not sure I want yet, a nice streaming companion unit, and wow it is only $5K for the integrated amplifier. Hegel has a good rep but is made in China so I am not so sure about that, I hear lots about Bryson, and Luxman pops up on my research sometimes. These all seem well designed inside and out. OK, looks are not really that important, but it still puts a bigger smile on my face. It might sway me about 10%. Quality casework is worth another 15%, sound is worth the majority 75%. For anyone that says it is 100% sound I have a very nice cardboard box for you. Just kidding. Mostly.
One thing I found that I really want is a really nice volume knob like the one the Mark Levison has. I do not want standard volume knob technology, no I want those special optical step ladders and relays or whatever.
That should be more than anyone cares to read on a first post. I will be here on the forum asking stupid questions.
YouTube
Bye for now.