2. amps-preamps
  3. 123038-76301

Building a system from scratch (other than speakers)

Hello all! This is my first post. I am a relative newbie when it comes to hifi but have been doing some research and reading the forums for a while now. I am looking to build a two channel system with the best quality sound for the money. My budget is approx. $5K. I have a pair of Martin Logan Theos in my home theater that I will be pulling out for the dedicated hifi setup. 
Mainly I'm looking for preamp and amp advice. I know a point of contention is the tube v ss debate, but have read on this forum and others that you get the most out of electrostatics with tubes. I know virtually nothing first hand about tubes so am concerned about maintenance and high ongoing cost. I don't have a lot of listening time anyway, less time for working on components. Is this something to worry about? 
Also, brand/model suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm concerned about mismatching the speakers and amp.
For cd I am looking at the OPPO BDP 105d and for vinyl the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, but would appreciate advice here as well. 
Thank you all in advance!

arisingsound

Showing 2 responses by simao

simao's avatar
simao
1,713 posts
 
If they’re around, go to various audio stores in your area, especially ones that deal ML’s. Tell them what you have; tell them what listening habits you have; as much as you can, hear things for yourself. Ask if they’ll let you audition a piece for a few days.

I’m not the most knowledgeable person on the matter, but modern tube gear isn’t as finicky and high maintenance as you may think. The tube gear I’ve had from ARC, Rogue, Sophia Electric, Blue Circle, Jolida, and LSA have all performed beautifully with little to no fuss once the initial set-up is complete.

It really depends on what kind of sound you want (I like a warm and bloomy soundscape, for example, and listen to a lot of acoustic jazz; thus, I have a good SS/tube hybrid amp and a tube phono to power my Adagios). Listen to as many components as you can before buying --

-- and be ready to change them out as your whim and sound ideals change over the years :)
simao's avatar
simao
1,713 posts
 
Yes, yes, and yes.

Reading Stereophile and Audiogon forums, talking both by email and in-person with audio dealers, meeting with and talking to other audiophiles and with the actual designers and makers (Robert Lee of Acoustic Zen, Duke LeJeune of AudioKinesis, and Larry Staples of Living Sounds Audio are a few who come to mind) of some of the products. All these and a bunch of years experimenting with different components, configurations, cabling, rooms, and music.

I guess like any serious hobby, the more you immerse yourself in it, the more you learn. There's also the obligatory bunch of useless info and snake oil out there, but for the most part the people I've dealt with share a passion for good sound and an appreciation for others who share that passion.
More to discover