AudiogoN Forums: please help a rookie

please help a rookie

I planning to get my very first audio system and it looks pretty confusing.I tried to do some homework, bought stereophile and hanged on various net forums to get more info. I'll have to spend 1-1.5k on a solid amp, maybe a little less on a cd player and about the same for speakers. I listen to opera, jazz and pop, my room is 20X15, hardwood floors. I am looking at arcam A85, musical fidelity a3, rotel 1080, but any suggestions for best bang for my buck, new or used will be very wellcomed. Btw, I like the sweet sound of B&W...thanks.

Dandreescu (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-25-02

Responses (1-25 of 25)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

02-25-02 $1000 to $1500 for a integrated amp that will go well with b ... Sugarbrie

02-25-02 In the $1.5k price bracket for a used amp, you should defini ... Sdcampbell

02-25-02 First, buy a rug. that hardwood floor will be hell on anythi ... Bomarc

02-25-02 Guys, i think he is looking for an integrated amp. the a85 ... Sugarbrie

02-25-02 Welcome aboard friend! i'm maybe closer to a novice myself a ... Gunbei

02-25-02 If you decide on b&w, get an amp with some power (100-150 wa ... Ohlala

02-25-02 Don't forget about cables too! Gunbei

02-25-02 Ugh, my friend, that's a monster of a question -- as there a ... Mezmo

02-25-02 True true true...fix the room first!!! if you cant do rugs, ... Mdomnick

02-25-02 Dandreescu, i post very infrequently here but do often foll ... Mckc

02-25-02 Buy used! whatever you buy you will just want something bett ... Bflobob8

02-25-02 I've been going through the same process as newbie after a 1 ... Budrew

02-25-02 My most recent upgrade had the same budget as your start up ... 3728slingshot

02-25-02 I'd buy f. alton everest's "sound studio construction o ... Tom_nice

02-25-02: Dandreescu
Thanks everybody for the very interesting answers. To be onest,I did some research but way too little listening in the high-end demo room, partially because I am living in a rural area[ SC], without many dealers around...

For folks like me, yours advice is quite wellcomed, as it will be easier to select from a small number of options,when I'll visit the audio stores

B&W wise, I listened to 602s and 805s. NTS 7-9 are in my price range. Talking about money, nothing is carved in stone. I'll rather strech now a little if it is neccesary to get on the best place in the diminishing returns curve...That means I am opened to any suggestions, but the plan was to get an integrated amp/cd/speakers. I 'll get a rug, thanks!
Dandreescu (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-25-02 Also, before you buy, please realize that the performance of ... Seandtaylor99

02-25-02 The creek (or other) integrated would go well with the cdm-7 ... Sugarbrie

02-25-02 read the thread "the most important piece in a stereo ... Ultrakaz

02-25-02 Hi dandreescu. 1) decide on your total budget. don't forge ... Rupertdacat

02-25-02 Just get everything on audiogon and your budget 'll be given ... Buckingham

02-25-02 I guess i forgot about the cd player. the rotel rcd-991 sel ... Sugarbrie

02-25-02 Where in sc?? we're practically neighbors!!! i am in columb ... Gthirteen

02-26-02 I agree with the basic suggestions here. look at your syste ... Sean

02-26-02: Dandreescu
Thanks again for the input. I considered the tubes somehow too exotic for a beginner but it looks like I must at least take a listen to some...I like B&W, but I am aware that are many other nice alternatives.[ so far I just listened to B&Ws, KEF Q35, Monitor Audio silver, some Polks...]
Joe, your kind invitation is appreciated, I 'll email you.
Dandreescu (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-26-02 I just wanted to second the thoughts of joe and others - ple ... Cjdubose