What Would I buy Today! Knowing what I Know Now

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Recommended Streamer

Recommended Speaker List

Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)

Around $200

Around $400

Around $500

Around $600

Recommended Amp List

Under $100

Around $130

Around $250

Around $400

Recommended DACs

Subs

[AllboroLCD]

Schiit needs to finally release an all-in-one model and call it "The Sandwich"

[jaball]

My "Budget System": Paradigm Phantom v3 floor standing speakers off FBMP for $100. Arylic B50 receiver/amp for $150. Old speaker wire & banana plugs I found in the closet. The result? It's fantastic.

[HeyYall]

Sorry if I keep saying this, but this video is a lifesaver! For someone like me who's trying to figure out my music style and put together a great sound system without breaking the bank, this video is perfect. I've looked everywhere online and watched tons of reviews, but hardly any recommended good options for different budgets – cheap, middle, and high-end. This video does just that, making it easier to mix and match based on what I can afford.

[eddents]

Even though it's the simple things in life that may often bring us the most joy, being able to explore life through varying choices and options can be a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing your wish lists with us! Great food for thought (or music for our ears).

[HeyYall]

Thank you Sir! You don't know how helpful this was for me. I just want people to tell an end to end system that works for them. Thank you for mentioning this in three layers of budgets!

[rockman]

My system is about $6k-$7k, I got the Topping Pre-90 / D90, Emotiva DR-2 Amp, Tekton Pendragon Towers, SVS SB-2000 SUB, Node-2i Streamer, and for my personal tastes of adding sparkle and bass to metal music, I added a BBE 882i Sonic Maximizer.

[HeyYall]

Wow! This is very helpful. I am profoundly grateful for your invaluable recommendations of high-quality, cost-effective components and systems that harmonize so well together. It's an absolute delight to learn and experiment with these resources. Your guidance has truly enriched my experience. Thank you immensely.

[nc]

I liked reading through the posts here. No right or wrong conclusions as we all respond to differences in presentation and how everything works in a particular room. Take that same equipment and place it somewhere else and it could sound different, better or worse than what one is accustomed to. Lots of variables.

In my journey, I bought a Yamaha 50 watt receiver, Paradigm 7se and Klipsch KG4 with a Vector Research CD player back in 1988 at a local shop among a bunch of other local shops, all of which have long since gone. Stereo Review was the magazine I read and word of mouth was both what I used.

Kept that system for many years, replacing the CD player with something or other first. Then picked up a Marantz 80 watt which was audibly much better than the Yamaha in 97. Kept that receiver for another 12 years. Replaced with an HK3490 which I used up to 2014. Along the way, I sold the KG4, bought them back, sold again, bought another pair, sold that. The SE7 was the last to go around 2007.


Note that I used Paradigm and Polk speakers stacked as I found Paradigm to have the low end and mids while Polk had accentuated upper mids and highs. That worked well for a time if not unsightly, two stand mounts stacked together like a floorstander. Went from the SE7 with Polk 5jr. By themselves, I found the Polk too bright but it helped the Paradigm.

Went with smaller Paradigm and Polk combos shrinking the stack. But wanted a smaller speaker that could give what the combo did and improve upon it. Tried many a small speaker. Sent many back. That started the upgrading in all areas.

So, the first buy can last many years before upgrading. So what is one inclined to upgrade to and how big of a jump should one take? That depends on identifying what you most respond to. Over the years I have found my preferences and what I can give up a bit to achieve those. In a nutshell, I really like depth and separation with good tonality/timbre, with well controlled sibilant notes and smoothness in the music while remaining airy enough for what I like adding spacial qualities I notice.

Second is detail, clarity/resolution but can give up a bit to keep what I feel is most important. In my experience, some higher end equipment can be too refined which truncates too much detail which I found odd, even if it had superior resolution. So, I can give up some, but there's a point where it becomes too noticeable and for me bothersome. A balance.

What I don't seem to need is too much bass (for me) but for some it is required. So while one can chase after a speaker that goes down to 30 Hz or so, it isn't a determining factor for me. Outright dynamics, punch, solidity of notes, among some others. Of course you need enough to support the rest of the frequency range, but it becomes an issue if it muddles things up the the scale. Hate loose, un-textured bass lines, graininess in the mids/treble and when notes/instruments/singers blend together. Don't want a wall of sound but a nice stage with locality and spacial cues.

So, back in 2014 I bought what I considered my dream system as to what I was willing to spend. I picked up a Hegel h160 (best amp compared to all others), Focal 807Ws (after combining 2 pairs of speakers over the years) it did the trick and eventually a Marantz CD6006 hooked up to a Topping D70s but the dac in the Hegel is really nice. The D70s adds some warmth and the internal dac of the Hegel better etched notes but still sounding smooth. They are both in the same league as to SQ, with some differences.

If I knew then what I knew now...well, equipment is always changing so some of it didn't exist as of yet but today, and for the last few years, I have used different equipment. First off, what I wanted was smaller, lighter equipment (I am getting older and wanting to downsize, everything) which presented some constraints. So, finding what I wanted both sonically and ergonomically wasn't an easy task.

What I finally found was a Keces E40 integrated and then I would have to match up speakers within its capabilities. So, I have Triangle Zeta Plaisir (old Color series and while giving less of what the Focal provides, has a softer voicing, laid backness which works really well for music and Ok for HT), Dali Opticon 1s and Martin Logan 15i recently purchased this year.

I bought the Opticon 1 at half off after trying the Menuet SE (always wanted a pair but found those too refined for my tastes), while the Opticon 1s do well enough where the Menuet excelled and retains the detail. I will use those for desktop.

Going back and forth between the Zetas and 15i required some adjustment as they are both very different yet having some of the qualities of my more upscale Focals. Comparatively, the Zetas are very musical with music while the 15i, still very good with music excels in HT. The 15i has more body, the Zetas more air and extension which I like with Piano notes. The 15i isn't worse, its different and after listening a while, I like what they do but it is an adjustment. They add more body but do not extend into the highs like a metal dome. Maybe it was ringing or distortion I had become accustomed to, not quite sure, but it is pleasant and I hear it with alot of speakers, as well as amps (Emotiva). It's just different as a real life Piano will present notes different than either, as well as all other speakers that are only attempting to "reproduce" the real thing. So go with what pleases you.

That's pretty much it. So, I still have the Hegel and Focals which I plan to sell not becasue these do anything wrong but becasue I am downsizing. I will continue to look at new offerings as I may consider separates down the road, but for now, today I have:

Main system:
Keces E40 - Marantz CD6006 - Aune X8 (with Sparkos upgrade and Aune linear PS) - Martin Logan 15i

and desktop will be

my second Keces E40 (I like these very much, noticeably better than a A07 btw) - Topping d70s - Dali Opticon 1s

Yes, the Hegel is a bit smoother, liquid and far more powerful but the difference isn't great on these speakers. So overkill for my current needs.

Down the road, if I were to upgrade, I have pondered a Billie amp among other integrated which may be a step up in SQ and power from the Keces, perhaps not my much but also separates. Amps on my radar are the new schiit Vidar II as well as a Jeff Roland Model 125.

I have looked at many other speakers. Elac Carinas, Dali Rubicon, Neat Petites, among other for something small that brings alot to the table. I almost pulled the trigger on the Neats but that would have been more $$$ and I really want a grill if for nothing else a bit of protection. Also looking at Falcon M10 but I want to hear before buying next time around. the Opticons cost me what the restocking fee was on the Menuets. But at least I found that just becasue something costs more, it may not be as satisfying to any individual. The Menuets, for what they did they did really well, but gave up something I couldn't.

So yes, Randy has his views, as well as everyone having theirs based on experience, needs, desires, budget, room, etc....

Starting out with ChiFi and budget speakers can still be satisfying and is an inexpensive way to begin. Buying used, especially receivers can be really, really inexpensive. That's the beginning of the journey but could be your end game too if you are satisfied, happy...you don't need to spend alot, but spend something you will.

[LeeBergerMediaProd]

I bought the V3 with 48 volt power supply as a way to confirm that I need to move on from vintage equipment. I was surprised and impressed with the improvement over a 50 year old McIntosh amp. Gave me the confidence to purchase a Schiit Vidar 2 to power inefficient speakers. V3 now residing in my office. What a tremendous value. Also learned more about class D amps. In the words of Mr Spock “fascinating’”

[stephkirwin]

So I bought the JBL A130 to replace my ol alesis reference and with my sub they are lovely sound..it's a tough room high ceiling open to second floor balcony and a kitchen behind listening area but it works. Enjoyable listening and good on movies too ...cheers

[erichill]

Option #1

How can you connect the subwoofer to the setup?

Thanks

[Simon_Hawkshaw]

The advice I've been waiting for. This an amazing video with some great advice for us all. Thank you so much for pulling this all together into baseline systems with mix and match options. I think anyone starting out will be very happy with any of these setups. Thank you so much for bringing this all together, your time, and effort sharing this with us all. Stay well, Sir.

[seano]

That Pro-Ject tube box S2 is badass! I love mine, for my Debut Carbon Evo with the Sumiko Ranier cartridge which is awesome! And that TT is great for upgradeability as well as best value for sound quality for the price. Going to a Cambridge CXA-81 with Elac Carina speakers which are the best Elac bookshelves at $1k, which are highly versatile with ALL genres of music! TV optic in to the CXA-81 for streaming and a rel t7x for one of the best subs for music out there. And yeah, it rocks as well as great for jazz and nuanced music.

[HeyYall]

While individual component recommendations are certainly beneficial, receiving comprehensive end-to-end system recommendations with these individual parts is truly invaluable. Thank you so much for your assistance.

[Poe]

You have offered honest and valuable feedback. I'm not that old, but I really miss the old days when all manufacturers were building stackable audio gear with almost same dimensions. Now one is tall and thin, another one is deep and ... at the end nothing matches....each one is making their own standard (that are not even maintaing thruu incremental series)...

[RaiderCBR.]

You should do a vid on garage sale and thrift store system for cheap. My brother wanted a cheap system for his garage last month so he gave me 200 bucks and I hit the thrift stores and garage sales. I came back four hours later with a Denon 3806 with a working original remote for 50 bucks, 4 Polk monitor 7 that looked like crap but drivers were in great shape for 40 bucks. Found a 10 inch sub that is made from 3 different subs, has a huge amp and weighs 83 pounds, works fantastic for 30 bucks. Went to his house and dropped off the 200 pounds of gear and gave him his 80 bucks left over with a list of cables and connections he should get. Set it up the next weekend and brought over a old Dynaudio center channel I was using as a rear in my Crown vic. Sounds very good and his neighbors are not very happy.

[ujase]

Hmmm I would prefer for under £($)3700ish (UK bias)
DAC £599 - Eversolo DAC-Z8
Head phone and pre AMP £599 - Singxer SA1 Class A
Streamer/Digital Transport £379 - JF MX-Pro -
Near field Active Monitors £350 - Adam T5V
Head Phones £500 Planar Magnet Hifiman Edition XS
Turntable £299 Pro-Ject T1 (Black)
Subwoofer £699 Focal Sub One woofer

= NIRVANA

I suspect, you can get this for even less if you shop around.
This is my setup minus the Pro-Ject T1 (that's on my shopping list :)

[darrylgaston]

best question ever asked? Kudos for thinking this way. after most of you audio reviewers who have done tons of reviews. You should have to at some point answer a question like this to sort of own up to your reviews and prove the were not just fluff :) I have ended my audio journey for now with a Modwright amp (kwa100) plus Modwright preamp (ls100) plus modwright phono amp and Italian speakers - Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole's bookies with REL sub's. my journey is over! but I still love reading reviews of good audio equipment..

[geoffseyon]

Randy, thanks for all you do for us audio hobbyists. Please do 2024 version of this video.

[bt]

Found your channel just in time--had some Cambridge issues and am about to purchase another integrated amp/dac for my office 2 channel system. Thanks for your work and content!