Planning to step up to a high end home audio system. Need advice.

bluegrassphile said:
I've already ripped all my CDs to an external HD through iTunes. And, yes, it took a couple months to do it. Here's the first of hundreds of future questions.....DAC = digital audio converter? And do I need one to run my audio/computer through an analog stereo? BTW, I'm running a PC with Windows 10 for recording.

I also do a lot of recording and have a high end home recording studio. I use Reaper as my DAW (digital audio workstation). I have Neumann nearfield recording monitor speakers. I'm guessing It would be better to keep my audio system and recording system separate? Will I need a computer dedicated to audio? Lots of questions.....
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Yes, DAC = Digital to analog converter. Every CD player has one built in. But you can buy stand alone DAC's. You will need one to play your music from a computer or hard drive. DAC's sound different but some can sound very similar.

Here are a few DAC's to consider but there are many more- the Schiit Yggdrasil (a true Giant Killer and well worth the money), T+A DAC8, PS Audio Direct Stream (It has the ability to change its sound with various software packages), Lumin, Chord Hugo, Auralic Vega, AVA HiFi DAC MK 5 (another DAC like the Yggdrasil that performs above its price point).

There are a lot of other options available.
 
Mechnutt said:
I agree with what every one has said, although I am not on board with budget Schiit gear except for their Yggdrasil DAC which is well worth its price and then some. With a budget of $20K to 25K you have a lot of options. I would listen to a lot of speakers and figure out the sound that you like. I would put at least $10K to 14K to speakers and the rest to electronics and cables. Once you have your speakers then you can take a look at what amp/preamp or integrated amp that will match your speakers and have the features that you want.

Take a look at brands like Audio Research, BAT, PS Audio, Pass Labs, Bel Canto, Luxman, Ayre, McIntosh, Cary Audio, Conrad Johnson to name a few. These are all high end companies. Other companies that are just below are Parasound, Vincent Audio, Marantz, Cambridge Audio. And then there are budget friendly boutique companies like AVA HiFi and Oddyssey Audio that make very good gear that performs way above their price point.
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$ 14K on speakers won't work with a $ 20K budget, and Bluegrassphile has indicated that he would like to spend even less if for that money he could get a great system. I still stick with my $ 5K recommendation for a monitor/sub combo. A well dialed-in combo in that price range can give most floor standers up to $ 10K a run for the money. On top of that, for the musical material played (mostly bluegrass, some blues and jazz) such a combo is ideal; getting it to sound great on large scale orchestral would take more effort. -- Better to put the money saved into room acoustics.

As for the Schiit preamp/amp combo that I suggested, the Schiit Freia preamp has a great reputation, and you have the flexibility to switch between a JFET buffered stage and a tube stage, so you can pick your flavor. I have the well-regarded Schiit Vidar amp myself, and it is very good. Is it as good as my Octave amp? No. But do I think you would have to spend *a lot* more money to get something substantially better? You bet.
 
welcome back! not much has changed, everyone is passionate and opinionated and helpful. away from the equipment, there was one "tweak" I did that gave me the best bang for the buck. I spent about $1,000 on installing two dedicated power lines. Cleaned up the sound quite a bit. Now for the other $24,000....
 
A poster asked if I prefer accuracy or a somewhat sweetened sound (paraphrased). How about.....I like both, LOL. However, I do use tube mics and preamps in my recording studio. So I probably have a slight tube bias (no pun intended). I like the "fatness" of tubes. I definitely preferred tube guitar amps when I owned electric equipment.

I have 2 SVS systems that are 13-14 years old. I'm using Yamaha receivers to power them. I've enjoyed the systems but they tend to sound somewhat sterile to my ears. The SVS subs are wonderful. Perhaps the newer SVS speakers are a little more robust/sweeter sounding and updated, I don't know? Their website is very informative. I have no problem with looking at an updated SVS system if they are highly recommended. But I wanted to look at as many options as possible in the coming months.

Perhaps I'll be ready to purchase a system late summer or fall. But I want to take my time and learn as much as I can. One other thing.....since I'm feeling a little old school I think I'll go 2 channel stereo this time. I run my SVS systems on 7 channel stereo most of the time anyway. So why not just go with 2 channel.....like a "real" audiophile, LOL!
 
bluegrassphile said:
A poster asked if I prefer accuracy or a somewhat sweetened sound (paraphrased). How about.....I like both, LOL. However, I do use tube mics and preamps in my recording studio. So I probably have a slight tube bias (no pun intended). I definitely preferred tube guitar amps when I owned electric equipment. I have 2 SVS systems that are 13-14 years old. I'm using Yamaha receivers to power them. I've enjoyed the systems but they tend to sound somewhat sterile to my ears. The SVS subs are wonderful. Perhaps the newer SVS speakers are a little more robust/sweeter sounding and updated, I don't know? I have no problem with looking at an updated SVS system if they are highly recommended. But I wanted to look at as many options as possible in the coming months. Perhaps I'll be ready to purchase a system late summer or fall. But I want to take my time and learn as much as I can.
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If you want a more robust and musical sound, rather than sterile, I can recommend the Schiit amp that I mentioned, or Pass amplification. Or a nice little tube amp for a couple grand, but perhaps for specifics others can fill in. For speakers I can definitely recommend Reference 3A, but others will name their own favorites.
 
Welcome. Right off the bat, the most important thing,... what format, resolution etc did you record your music to & what did you use for software. If you used itunes & the recording was in 128kbps, well,.... that might be alright if you really want to get pissed at spending all that money & hearing how bad things sound from an expensive point of view.
 
Second, never buy anything unless you can hear it in your system. If that fails make sure it has a return policy if you don't like it, the reason is just one component can do the most good or the most drastic to the whole sound.
If I was you I'd find a few bricks & mortar places nearer to you & develop a relationship with them. Talk, ask, listen, build up a relationship with them. If they are good at what they do & are genuine, you'll know. If they try to sell you something at a very discounted price after you tell them you don't like it......
 
bzr said:
Welcome. Right off the bat, the most important thing,... what format, resolution etc did you record your music to & what did you use for software. If you used itunes & the recording was in 128kbps, well,.... that might be alright if you really want to get pissed at spending all that money & hearing how bad things sound from an expensive point of view.
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Why would anyone record in 128kbps? That's bizarre.
 
bzr said:
Second, never buy anything unless you can hear it in your system. If that fails make sure it has a return policy if you don't like it, the reason is just one component can do the most good or the most drastic to the whole sound.
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Agreed. If possible. Sometimes you can also negotiate a return policy (for a restocking fee).

I did take calculated risks in the past, but never jumped into things completely blind. It has worked out so far.
 
Welcome to AS.

Integrated amps with built-in DAC's are a popular option. And, could get you more for your budget. Based on your comments McIntosh should be on your list. JBL has a new version of the L100.

I believe Mike said the VAC integrated mates well with the Magico A3.

If you can, you really need to visit an audio show. AXPONA is coming up in the Chicago area 4/12, one in DC, Denver has Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Oct. It's really best to look before you leap.

Cary Audio has a nice selection of tube, both single ended and push pull, as well as some solid state, they sell direct where no dealer with a return policy. I just saw their streamers already have Quboz app.

Pass Labs is solid state but I believe has a sound you'd really enjoy.

If you have a large enough area check out Quad ESL's. Or, you may like Magnepan which which some love and good bang for the buck. Matched with something like Pass to drive them.

Your options are wide open, a show would give you an idea of what's out there and possibly a direction.

Just with tubes you could go single end triode with high efficient speakers or push pull with a speaker option more wide.

You're at a fun but can be maddening spot, LOL
 
I saw this in one of the earlier posts.
Caution, Audio Junkies we are, and this High End Audio is like Crack, so be careful

​The journey is tons of fun.
 
20-25K budget. What would I do if I were you? First I looked a Blumenhofer speakers. But it seems they are not available in the USA. Since you like tube amps efficient speakers are a pre.

My idea would be more less the following:
Stenheim Alumine 2
Octave V110 integrated amp (or a cheaper model)

rest on digital source.
 
About a year ago I was putting together a stereo system. Like you I was coming from a home theater experience and setup. If you look at my signature this is what I ended up with. This system is about $20k. Some used some store demo and some new. My recomendation is to start with speakers and power amp. Living in Iowa can limit your ability to many of the brands available to demo. I'd google or locate a few stereo stores to find brands available to demo. And then take a road trip. Contact the store before hand and make a connection with a sales rep and tell him or her your plans. Spend a day just smelling and hearing the electronics. Take a sample of music with you to demo and have some fun. Since you like blue grass and jazz. And considering your location I'd recommend checking out the new line of Klipsch. Thier Forte', Cornwall and La Scala are all within you price point. Mix that with a tube Mac separate amp/preamp or integrated and you may find a good starting point.
 
Al M. said:
$ 14K on speakers won't work with a $ 20K budget, and Bluegrassphile has indicated that he would like to spend even less if for that money he could get a great system. I still stick with my $ 5K recommendation for a monitor/sub combo. A well dialed-in combo in that price range can give most floor standers up to $ 10K a run for the money. On top of that, for the musical material played (mostly bluegrass, some blues and jazz) such a combo is ideal; getting it to sound great on large scale orchestral would take more effort. -- Better to put the money saved into room acoustics.

As for the Schiit preamp/amp combo that I suggested, the Schiit Freia preamp has a great reputation, and you have the flexibility to switch between a JFET buffered stage and a tube stage, so you can pick your flavor. I have the well-regarded Schiit Vidar amp myself, and it is very good. Is it as good as my Octave amp? No. But do I think you would have to spend *a lot* more money to get something substantially better? You bet.
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He said he had a budget of $20K-25K and I gave a range of 10-14K for speakers. My feeling is that if he has the money to spend, then why go budget and possibly regret it later and wonder if you could have gotten better sound. I am all for a great sounding budget system and that is the way I started but I was always yearning for better. I am glad that I moved up. Schiit makes very good stuff but I'll take a Luxman or Pass Integrated over what ever they sell.:)
 
OK, here's a bit of an update. I went to a great audio shop and listened and learned a lot. Of all the speakers and amps I tried (I didn't try a large number) were extremely impressive. To make a long story shorter I kept coming back to a set up featuring a pair of Revel Performa Be speakers and an Acoustic Research VSi75 tube integrated amplifier. We were streaming with Roon (Did I say that right?). Listening to some Alison Krauss And Union Station the sound was sublime. Smooth, transparent to the max and it definitely performed the disappearing speaker trick. The cross overs were seamless. The AR VSi75 integrated amp gave a robust-ness that reminded me of the marbling in a great rib eye steak.....juuuuust enough fat, not too much. The Revel speakers' EQ/frequency spectrum was dialed in to perfection. As I mentioned above, I think some of that had to do with the cross overs and how they're paired with the drivers and beryllium tweeters. I know, that may seem obvious to some but remember I've been away from high end audio for a long, long, time (mid to late '70s). I'm learning to appreciate top shelf stuff all over again.

I wanted to take this set up home sooooooo badly. But, alas, my wife and I got hit with the tax club very hard this year. I found this out the day after I went to the audio store. So, I'm now looking at getting a system in early 2020. Oh well, that will just give me more time to research my wants, needs, the equipment, and the market. But feel free to give me feedback on the equipment I auditioned. The Acoustic Research VSi75 amp was a used one and it was simply wonderful. The sales associate installed fresh tubes, burned them in, and biased them for my listening pleasure. And I do mean pleasure. A bit cliche-ish but this system was a marriage made in heaven. Just superb in every possible way. I want it. Badly!! But I'll have to be patient. And that's OK. It took me about a year and a half to save for my first system back in the '70s. It'll take around a year for this one. After all, we're talking $15,000-$20,000 for this system...$25,000 if I buy a new version of the AC amp instead of going used. OK, your turn. Comments or suggestions please? Thank you in advance.
 
It sounds like you answered your own question. You really enjoyed what you heard and that's the most important thing, no matter what any of us say. It's you that has to enjoy the system. Both the Audio Research & Revel are respectable good performing brands.

bluegrassphile said:
OK, here's a bit of an update. I went to a great audio shop and listened and learned a lot. Of all the speakers and amps I tried (I didn't try a large number) were extremely impressive. To make a long story shorter I kept coming back to a set up featuring a pair of Revel Performa Be speakers and an Acoustic Research VSi75 tube integrated amplifier. We were streaming with Roon (Did I say that right?). Listening to some Alison Krauss And Union Station the sound was sublime. Smooth, transparent to the max and it definitely performed the disappearing speaker trick. The cross overs were seamless. The AR VSi75 integrated amp gave a robust-ness that reminded me of the marbling in a great rib eye steak.....juuuuust enough fat, not too much. The Revel speakers' EQ/frequency spectrum was dialed in to perfection. As I mentioned above, I think some of that had to do with the cross overs and how they're paired with the drivers and beryllium tweeters. I know, that may seem obvious to some but remember I've been away from high end audio for a long, long, time (mid to late '70s). I'm learning to appreciate top shelf stuff all over again.

I wanted to take this set up home sooooooo badly. But, alas, my wife and I got hit with the tax club very hard this year. I found this out the day after I went to the audio store. So, I'm now looking at getting a system in early 2020. Oh well, that will just give me more time to research my wants, needs, the equipment, and the market. But feel free to give me feedback on the equipment I auditioned. The Acoustic Research VSi75 amp was a used one and it was simply wonderful. The sales associate installed fresh tubes, burned them in, and biased them for my listening pleasure. And I do mean pleasure. A bit cliche-ish but this system was a marriage made in heaven. Just superb in every possible way. I want it. Badly!! But I'll have to be patient. And that's OK. It took me about a year and a half to save for my first system back in the '70s. It'll take around a year for this one. After all, we're talking $15,000-$20,000 for this system...$25,000 if I buy a new version of the AC amp instead of going used. OK, your turn. Comments or suggestions please? Thank you in advance.
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bluegrassphile said:
OK, here's a bit of an update. I went to a great audio shop and listened and learned a lot. Of all the speakers and amps I tried (I didn't try a large number) were extremely impressive. To make a long story shorter I kept coming back to a set up featuring a pair of Revel Performa Be speakers and an Acoustic Research VSi75 tube integrated amplifier. We were streaming with Roon (Did I say that right?). Listening to some Alison Krauss And Union Station the sound was sublime. Smooth, transparent to the max and it definitely performed the disappearing speaker trick. The cross overs were seamless. The AR VSi75 integrated amp gave a robust-ness that reminded me of the marbling in a great rib eye steak.....juuuuust enough fat, not too much. The Revel speakers' EQ/frequency spectrum was dialed in to perfection. As I mentioned above, I think some of that had to do with the cross overs and how they're paired with the drivers and beryllium tweeters. I know, that may seem obvious to some but remember I've been away from high end audio for a long, long, time (mid to late '70s). I'm learning to appreciate top shelf stuff all over again.

I wanted to take this set up home sooooooo badly. But, alas, my wife and I got hit with the tax club very hard this year. I found this out the day after I went to the audio store. So, I'm now looking at getting a system in early 2020. Oh well, that will just give me more time to research my wants, needs, the equipment, and the market. But feel free to give me feedback on the equipment I auditioned. The Acoustic Research VSi75 amp was a used one and it was simply wonderful. The sales associate installed fresh tubes, burned them in, and biased them for my listening pleasure. And I do mean pleasure. A bit cliche-ish but this system was a marriage made in heaven. Just superb in every possible way. I want it. Badly!! But I'll have to be patient. And that's OK. It took me about a year and a half to save for my first system back in the '70s. It'll take around a year for this one. After all, we're talking $15,000-$20,000 for this system...$25,000 if I buy a new version of the AC amp instead of going used. OK, your turn. Comments or suggestions please? Thank you in advance.
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Congratulations on finding a system you really enjoy!
 
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