Steve,
I see this thread hasn't been added to in 2 years, but I figured I would toss in my thoughts &, potentially, resurrect it because there is some stellar info in it!
I would like to throw my "chosen path" to nirvana out there for thoughtful consideration. Like most folks, my budget was limited [was not blessed with a golden spoon at birth & my profession required YEARS of education & training - lots of "poor years"], so I adapted by purchasing used equipment, initially from eBay <YUCK!> & now almost exclusively from A-gon. Out of that necessity, I discovered that it is massive fun to buy quality used equipment [that I could have NEVER afforded new], use it and either resell it or keep it, if I fell in love with it. In fact, I even set up a separate checking account for my 'toy fund' - wife fully knowledgeable and very supportive [she has her own expensive hobby- photography].
I actually enjoyed the trade-in/trade-out ability to audition & play with equipment I have lusted for for year to be so much fun, I decided to keep that up. Now that I am years into my profession, I am extremely fortunate to be able to afford much of the new, high-end stuff. But, I grew up poor & that impact is deep. So, I choose to buy/trade/resell/keep high-end used equipment & divert that extra capital towards other things that make my heart smile: charitable support of organizations that support & assist people-in-need & peoples-at-risk. By no means is my musical enjoyment compromised + I am supporting good works to the benefit of others AND I am setting an example on how to conduct yourself as a good citizen of our world & culture to my daughters. Talk about a WIN-WIN-WIN situation!
If you truly are dedicated to purchasing something new, instead of the 'big name' brands, google for small-shop craftsmen type vendors/builders. Yes, substantially more challenging, but again my intrinsic frugality speaks, you're supporting individuals at the local level who still treat their work as a personal investment in an art form. Odyssey comes to mine as does Emotiva [not truly in the league of Odyssey, but damned nice bang for the buck], as does ModWright [a bit pricier].
Good luck & I hope whomever reads my lengthy response derives some benefit.
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/index.html
I see this thread hasn't been added to in 2 years, but I figured I would toss in my thoughts &, potentially, resurrect it because there is some stellar info in it!
I would like to throw my "chosen path" to nirvana out there for thoughtful consideration. Like most folks, my budget was limited [was not blessed with a golden spoon at birth & my profession required YEARS of education & training - lots of "poor years"], so I adapted by purchasing used equipment, initially from eBay <YUCK!> & now almost exclusively from A-gon. Out of that necessity, I discovered that it is massive fun to buy quality used equipment [that I could have NEVER afforded new], use it and either resell it or keep it, if I fell in love with it. In fact, I even set up a separate checking account for my 'toy fund' - wife fully knowledgeable and very supportive [she has her own expensive hobby- photography].
I actually enjoyed the trade-in/trade-out ability to audition & play with equipment I have lusted for for year to be so much fun, I decided to keep that up. Now that I am years into my profession, I am extremely fortunate to be able to afford much of the new, high-end stuff. But, I grew up poor & that impact is deep. So, I choose to buy/trade/resell/keep high-end used equipment & divert that extra capital towards other things that make my heart smile: charitable support of organizations that support & assist people-in-need & peoples-at-risk. By no means is my musical enjoyment compromised + I am supporting good works to the benefit of others AND I am setting an example on how to conduct yourself as a good citizen of our world & culture to my daughters. Talk about a WIN-WIN-WIN situation!
If you truly are dedicated to purchasing something new, instead of the 'big name' brands, google for small-shop craftsmen type vendors/builders. Yes, substantially more challenging, but again my intrinsic frugality speaks, you're supporting individuals at the local level who still treat their work as a personal investment in an art form. Odyssey comes to mine as does Emotiva [not truly in the league of Odyssey, but damned nice bang for the buck], as does ModWright [a bit pricier].
Good luck & I hope whomever reads my lengthy response derives some benefit.
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/index.html