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Newbie question: system upgrade
I am fairly dissatified with my music system right now. While in
college, I put an DVD home theater system together ad-hoc, over time, and I've come to the realization that it just doesn't sound right when I listen to music (can you say "living in denial"?). I guess that the DVD sound of things blowing up and the overwhelming bass covered up the musical flaws. Here's what the system consists of: Perhaps I should think about throwing all of the above (except for the playstation) in the trash and start over. I am not looking to spend a bundle, probably $2,000 to $2,500. I just want a decent system that plays *music* that's nice to the ear. So I did some research tonight... You are a good candidate for a good ol' old fashioned two channel audiophile stereo system. They play music. I assume your existing system is multi-channel which are good for sound effects and movies. Keep multi-channel system for movies. Start anew with 2 channel hi-end stereo components for music. Choose carefully with the idea that you will be constantly upgrading individual components as your budget allows in the future. I am reading between the lines of your post but think I am correct in saying that you are most interested in the best quality playback of recorded music. That means two channel to a lot of us. Who the heck can watch that much of TV and Hollywood anyway. You will find that the better your music playback system gets, the less video you will watch. I watch the local and National news, that about does it. The rest of the time it's recorded music. Connect with a reputable hi-end dealer who will let you bring components home to audition in YOUR living / listening space before you make the commitment to buy. If you are lucky, your reputable hi-end dealer will have used trade-ins of quality components that his customers have sold back to him as they upgrade. If you are doubly lucky, your dealer will have lots of doctor / lawyer / professional type audiophiles with money to burn and constant upgrade fever. The odds are good that you will find well kept excellent sounding pieces less the depreciation of buying new. Audiophiles are an anal lot for the most part and take good care of their equipment. I have had very good service out of used ARC tube equipment. Forget the hype and marketing of the audio industry. Recorded sound does not make giant leaps every year with the introduction of each new piece of technical wizardery. But they want you to believe that in order to sell more boxes of course. Hi end components from 10 years ago can and do sound better than much of the audio industry's outpourings of 2003. Try out a well maintained 10 year old tube ARC pre / amplifier and decent turntable / cartridge. The giant strides of recorded sound claimed by the audio industry (especially the mass marketers) are dubious at best and more like the tiny inching forward if at all when you start buying truly high quality stereo equipment. Don't turn up your nose at that 6 year old Wadia transport. It may just have better sound than 98% of the 2003 transport offerings. And the 2% of the year 2003 transport offerings that do sound better will probably cost more than most peoples cars. And in case you haven't got my message, GET a great used tube amp and a top of the line turntable / cartridge (used is fine set up by a knowledgeable dealer,) That should stir this place up. Regards, Ted |
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