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Stereo Systems Question

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big apple

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Mar 14, 2011
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i would like to get a new stereo system for the home.
any strong recommendations on types of systems available and which manufacturers are producing a high-end stereo sound equipment.
Bose, B and O, Harmon....etc?
Thank you!!
 
Depends how high end I guess. I think Marantz makes good stuff, but we are not talking about the super-high end here.
 
Unless you are more concerned with the prestige of showing a system that the actual enjoyment of the system, you could spend crap loads of possible SP money on a system that you could never differentiate blindfolded.

I was working with an audio engineer that spent a fortune on one channel vacuum tube amplifiers including a 1 KWatt sub-woofer. I went to his place and other than the ability to defibrillate my heart using sound waves - I'm happier with my Sony surround system that I have.

However - if you have the money: http://www.mcalisteraudio.com/
 
big apple said:
i would like to get a new stereo system for the home.
any strong recommendations on types of systems available and which manufacturers are producing a high-end stereo sound equipment.
Bose, B and O, Harmon....etc?
Thank you!!
Click to expand...

Krell is exceptionable however it is not for the average consumer, it's not even for the above average consumer. I suggest you carefully consider the approximate dollar range you are comfortable spending and what you'd like to get for that amount of money.

Are you starting from scratch? Do you need everything; cd, amp, tuner, speakers, surround sound, etc?

What are you using it for; listen to cd's, radio, LP's, watch movies. etc?

More info is needed before anyone can competently recommend anything to you.
 
I'm not a audiophile. I just want a simple system for listening to CDs iPod etc
Perhaps one of those single unit systems ?
I want to spend < 5k.
Thanks for the input.
 
big apple said:
i would like to get a new stereo system for the home.
any strong recommendations on types of systems available and which manufacturers are producing a high-end stereo sound equipment.
Bose, B and O, Harmon....etc?
Thank you!!
Click to expand...

First, read this:

http://www.theaudiocritic.com/downloads/article_1.pdf

That will give you some basic protection from all the audio snake oil out there

Then, you may want to go to a audio forum like avsforum (google it) and ask your question there

Most useful tip I can pass along:

Spend at least half your budget on good speakers with consideration for the space they will be playing in, how they will be arranged/aimed, and the volume you plan to listen at.

No other component in your system will have as much affect on sound as your speakers (and the room they are in).
 
I just bought a JVC bookshelf and I love it. $459+HST.
 
If you're old enough, you will remember the guys in the white van who approached you in parking lots and offered to sell you the best speakers ever made at the best and cheapest deal in the country. They said that their stuff in the van was the best on the market and why would they lie about that?
 
Steve Harper said:
If you're old enough, you will remember the guys in the white van who approached you in parking lots and offered to sell you the best speakers ever made at the best and cheapest deal in the country. They said that their stuff in the van was the best on the market and why would they lie about that?
Click to expand...

You don't have to be old, they still do it today but usually in SUV's now.
 
If you're going to be listening to mostly MP3's, don't bother with a high end system.. Spend a couple grand and be happy. Stay away from Bose, consider mid range speakers by Paradigm, B&W etc
 
smiley1437 said:
First, read this:

http://www.theaudiocritic.com/downloads/article_1.pdf

That will give you some basic protection from all the audio snake oil out there

Then, you may want to go to a audio forum like avsforum (google it) and ask your question there

Most useful tip I can pass along:

Spend at least half your budget on good speakers with consideration for the space they will be playing in, how they will be arranged/aimed, and the volume you plan to listen at.

No other component in your system will have as much affect on sound as your speakers (and the room they are in).
Click to expand...

+1, especially the spending half your budget on speakers.....

OTB
 
onthebottom said:
+1, especially the spending half your budget on speakers.....

OTB
Click to expand...

Same advice here. the signal changes state at the speakers and needs the best equipment to do it efficiently. There are some good Canadian companies that build speakers, if you feel the need to buy Canadian;

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=47351

Paradigm, PSB, Energy, and StudioLab are available in many stores, so you can negotiate price more easily.

The choice of HK is a good one. They do things little differently than most and as a result, give lots of reserve power for listening at a lower volume .
 
Garrett said:
You are getting a lot of wide ranging advice in this thread. Never, ever buy Bose. They have great marketing, and a cheap product that will under perform.
Click to expand...

Garrett, you are so right. Bose is great at imagery, but horrible at fidelity.

R2R
 
Electronics wise, we all have our favorites. I like H-K amplifiers myself.

As for speakers, I have an excellent set of Energy towers that sound fantastic whether I'm cranking out Metallica or listening to a concerto. As far as I'm concerned - Velodyne is the only subwoofer you should be considering.

R2R
 
thank you all for the well-informed advice. perhaps someone could suggest some retail shops in the city where I could go and test and listen to the various systems/brands that have been mentioned? Many thanks.
 
asn said:
i think you guys are missing the point....he wants High-End. Most of the brands here suggested so far are towards the lower end of the middle range. Given how the OP has written his question it sounds like he's not sure of what he wants but wants the best. Which suggests he's come into a lot of money and doesn't care about price. To that end brands he should look for are Krell, Mark Levinson, Naim, Theil, Magnepan, Roksan etc.


I will also say this ...make sure whatever power outlets you connect the amps to have their own breakers similar to what the AC is on. You will also not need to turn on the heat in the winter. and make sure your floor can support the weight of these amps.
Click to expand...

The OP writes,
"I'm not a audiophile. I just want a simple system for listening to CDs iPod etc
Perhaps one of those single unit systems ?
I want to spend < 5k."

ASN, one could spend more that 6k on a single Krell amp.

R2R
 
The electronic components are not as critical these days, if you spend $500 to $1000 you are getting pretty much good sound. The speakers and headphones make quite a difference in the sound. If you want excellent music, try Beats headphones by Dr. Dre, they go for approx. $150. I have them at my office where I can do work and enjoy good music. The Dr. Dre headphones deliver every little sound that is embedded in the digital source.. Another suggestion for single person listening is to set up your computer to play music and place a high end computer speaker set up on your desk in front of you. High end computer set ups with a sub woofer can go for about $200 - $250. Your digital source is also important, you will not get good sound from MP3s that you have downloaded free off the internet. Commercially made CDs are your best bet.
 
Grrrr a bit off topic but as it was brought up.. Please don't buy Monster brand headphones (Dr. Dre, Bieber etc)... It's all marketing and looks vs real, balanced sound quality. Anyone who appreciates balanced sound quality will recommend a bunch of other cans for similar or cheaper that are better. Shure SRH840 and SRH440, Audio Technica M50's, Sennheiser HD558/HD595 are better $100-$300 options for example
 
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