Amg56,
Congratulations on your retirement.
You have received some very good advice from various posters.
I am in agreement with mitch2 in that you need to decide what type of sound and system you want. Definitely you need to get out and get exposure and attending an Audio show is an excellent ideal.
As mitch2 said you need to hear all varieties amplifiers (tube,transistor, class D, low power and high power). There are many choices available in terms of speakers (and there are many!). In fact each category of audio component will offer an enormous number of choices.
Get the needed exposure to High End Audio products. Since you re Building a new home seek expert consultation regarding the listening room, this is of paramount value for you. You have a very generous budget and can construct a superb system at that level. In my opinion you can spend less and still develop a superb sounding system.
The key point is get out and listen to all manner of audio equipment and develop a sense of what you want your system to sound like.
Charles
Congratulations on your retirement.
You have received some very good advice from various posters.
I am in agreement with mitch2 in that you need to decide what type of sound and system you want. Definitely you need to get out and get exposure and attending an Audio show is an excellent ideal.
As mitch2 said you need to hear all varieties amplifiers (tube,transistor, class D, low power and high power). There are many choices available in terms of speakers (and there are many!). In fact each category of audio component will offer an enormous number of choices.
Get the needed exposure to High End Audio products. Since you re Building a new home seek expert consultation regarding the listening room, this is of paramount value for you. You have a very generous budget and can construct a superb system at that level. In my opinion you can spend less and still develop a superb sounding system.
The key point is get out and listen to all manner of audio equipment and develop a sense of what you want your system to sound like.
Charles