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Thinking about setting up a high end audio system

B

Blurry

Senior member
After saving money for the past year, I finally have enough to pursue a high end audio set. I already got the speakers down (Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 - $2500), but other than that, I have no idea what else I need. Do I need a reciever/amp/etc - let me know what you guys think!

I still have around $7000 left for my budget.

Thanks!
 
Did you already buy those speakers?

You need to do a lot more research before you buy anything (or anything else).
 
The Gallo References are okay, but the didn't quite do it for me...they train their salesmen well though, the guy just kept spewing stats out. It wasn't too bad though.

I would strongly suggest reconsidering and starting over with a whole system evaluation.

$7000 will get you plenty though, so have fun.
 
2 channel or surround sound?

If 2 channel you should focus on a really good cd/dvd-a/sacd player 1K, a turntable 1K, a good pre-amp 2K and a good amplifier 2K. That will eat up your 7K right there.

If surround then a big chunk should go to your pre-pro, 3K+. And a nice sub, 1.5K+

But really, the bulk of your money should go to speakers, then source, then pre-amp and finally amp. That's the order of what is most important. For surround it would be speakers, sub, pre-pro, amp.
 
Bryston 7B, or the like, preamp depends on what you like (Bel Canto, Audio Research, Classe) , if you want to cover the lower registries then a sub (Epik Conquest) can fill that gap for cheap. PS1 I believe was stated as a good cd-player. Denon DVD players (3xxx +; burr brown) perform very well with music.
Regarding amps I'd purchase a "pro" amp (<$1200) to A/B.
 
For reference, what kind of system were you using before? Is there anything in particular you are trying to improve upon? Are you re-using anything from the previous system?

I guess I'm assuming you had a previous system since $9500 is a lot to spend on your first system 😉

How did you pick out the speakers that you selected?

Do you have a good room picked out that you can properly set up this stuff? Can you add room treatments to that room?

As spidey07 mentioned, what's the intended usage of this system? (What are your sources going to be)
 
YoYo sure loves his AV123 and Emotiva stuff.

That amp would be fun to test out...I might just do that next month. Almost time for a new preamp too!
 
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
YoYo sure loves his AV123 and Emotiva stuff.

That amp would be fun to test out...I might just do that next month. Almost time for a new preamp too!
Click to expand...

I do. I actually have no personal experience with Emotiva or Outlaw audio, but I've been trying to keep an eye on both. I will be looking to both companies (and others of course) for my future needs.
 
I've got a few amps that I'm playing with, but one of my big purchases this year will be a fat amp. The article mentioned the Parasound JC-1, which is one of the amps I had in mind, so it'll be a nice comparison.
 
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I've got a few amps that I'm playing with, but one of my big purchases this year will be a fat amp. The article mentioned the Parasound JC-1, which is one of the amps I had in mind, so it'll be a nice comparison.
Click to expand...

Looks like the JC-1 would blow the OP's budget eh? 😉 (and mine too of course)

What else are you looking at for your own system?
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I've got a few amps that I'm playing with, but one of my big purchases this year will be a fat amp. The article mentioned the Parasound JC-1, which is one of the amps I had in mind, so it'll be a nice comparison.
Click to expand...

Looks like the JC-1 would blow the OP's budget eh? 😉 (and mine too of course)

What else are you looking at for your own system?
Click to expand...

Not really, I'd be picking up a pair on Audiogon - ~$3500. I'm going to try out a Promethius TVC passive pre, been wanting to do so for quite some time now. And for the DAC, I'm still deciding between the Benchmark DAC-1 USB or a DIY Twisted Pear Audio Buffalo DAC (based on the ESS Sabre8 Reference ES9008 chip).

It's going to be a fun time, that's for sure.
 
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I've got a few amps that I'm playing with, but one of my big purchases this year will be a fat amp. The article mentioned the Parasound JC-1, which is one of the amps I had in mind, so it'll be a nice comparison.
Click to expand...

Looks like the JC-1 would blow the OP's budget eh? 😉 (and mine too of course)

What else are you looking at for your own system?
Click to expand...

Not really, I'd be picking up a pair on Audiogon - ~$3500. I'm going to try out a Promethius TVC passive pre, been wanting to do so for quite some time now. And for the DAC, I'm still deciding between the Benchmark DAC-1 USB or a DIY Twisted Pear Audio Buffalo DAC (based on the ESS Sabre8 Reference ES9008 chip).

It's going to be a fun time, that's for sure.
Click to expand...

If you do get the Emotiva to test out, let me know how it does. My boss is also shopping around for amps for his future Magnepan 3.6s
I'm not sure what his contenders are right now, but he was looking at a variety of pricepoints.
 
Mmmm, Maggies...I would seriously consider a pair, but considering that I'll probably have on/off room issues (apartments, condos, etc) for the next few years, they had to be dropped from the equation. One of my favorite dealers back in Michigan paired up 3.6's and 20.1's with some Rogue and Audio Research equipment...I <3 Audio Research.
 
OP/EvilYoda

Don't forget to look/listen to krell amps. I absolutely love them. And evilyoda, if you like planars don't forget about martin logan - the bigger the panel the better it is.

ML Oddessey with 200 watts of Krell Class A amps..mmmmmm. Spooky real.
 
Dammit! I want to talk good audio!

OP - what do you want from your hi-fi? You might be better served from going to a shop where they have this kind of thing so you can try many things out and get a little help. Sure they are salesguys but you'll find many of them are enthusiasts as well and are happy to spend some time with you. These shops tend to be very small and hard to find but worth their weight in gold.
 
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