Coming out of the blackhole called work...retirement


Hello All

I have just retired and emerged from the mud of work that encompasses everything and acts light a blackhole for hobbies and enjoyment. Now that I am seeing some light I want to upgrade my 70's something stereo to something I can really enjoy. I read in a post from long ago about a preamplifier called a George Lightspeed. It was Australian, quality sound according to the posts and cheap. Is this something I want to consider or must I look at products in the thousands or 10's of? 

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Since you re Building a new home seek expert consultation regarding the listening room, this is of paramount value for you.

In particular, you might reconsider the 5m x 5m dimension. A square room generally invites the most standing waves. Find some odd dimensions or get all Golden Ratio for example.

It would also be worth your time (and fun!) to spend a weekend at an audio show.  Unless you are in a major city with good brick-and-mortar options, this is the only way to hear a lot of things and find a frame of reference for the kinds of gear you like and don't.  Unless you're spending a half-million dollars, your system will involve compromise; hearing a number of rigs is the only way to understand which compromises you are happiest to live with.
Congrats on your retirement.  Retirement is not as good as people say... it is much better than that.  You have a great opportunity here to put together a very satisfying system.  As others have said; a combination of audio show attendance and visiting audio salons with some of your favorite recordings in hand should help you begin to discover what direction to go in crafting a system.

As others have said, it is not about the money invested but rather the care in assembling components that play nicely together!  In the end, the system has to satisfy you. Go with what sounds like "music" to you.

Enjoy the journey!

This can be a bit daunting if you have been out of the audio world for a while.  I would start with your room first and make sure it is well designed.  You can avoid a lot of problems by spending some time and money there. 

As others have said you have an opportunity to put a "system" together instead of piecing components into a whole.

Trust your ears.  Specifications are rather meaningless. 

Consider the support of the dealer and the company that manufactures the gear.  If you have a problem can you really get something fixed?

If you are careful, you can put a really nice system together so visit as many dealers and shows as possible.

Congratulations on your retirement.  I retired 7 months ago and I have been upgrading both my systems.  Have fun and do not forget to listen, listen.
@goose   +1  Good point about getting gear that can be repaired when necessary.