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Setting up a system - What to buy WHEN?

Hello audiogon gurus!

I've been a long time browser over the years, but only just signed up today. I'd like to get some advice. I'll try to be brief as possible.

So I'm going to be putting together a system in Q1 once I get moved into a house and have a listening space. But I'm just not sure in which order to buy these pieces. I have a cheap setup now that'll serve as the starting point. It's just some cheap bang-for-the-buck type stuff I've picked up on Amazon and at Best Buy. Nothing really worth talking about except for the Pre-Amp. It's "decent" but not Audiophile by any means. It's a Rotel unit that set me back around $700. I mention this because given this one piece being better than the rest, well, I think it might just move the pre-amp purchase to one of the later ones.

Here's a list of what I need to buy (Sorted alphabetically):

  • DAC      
  • Main Amp 1
  • Main Amp 2
  • Main Speakers  
  • Phono PreAmp  
  • Power Conditioner
  • Pre-Amp    
  • Turntable + Stylus

note: My plan is to hopefully be able to buy an amp that'll power both mains on it's own. Then circle back later, buy another of the same unit. Then I'll swap each over to monoblock mode - one driving each main.

So because of the cost of these items, Basically each line in my list will be a separate purchase spaced out over time. How long? I'm not sure. something something "money don't grown on trees . . . "

So I ask you all, what's the order of operations here? What should get bought first???? I currently have all of these units - now it's time to upgrade! I look forward to hearing from you.

ps. This thread isn't about brands ;)

128x128bigslacker
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astewart8944
499 posts
 
First, welcome. You have asked a question that will yield strongly held differing opinions. My recommendation, which I have given several times to others, is as follows: If possible, attend a large audio show. AXPONA is in Chicago in the spring and RMAF is in Denver in the fall. Both shows have lots of rooms that feature audio equipment you have probably never heard. Go into as many rooms as you can and spend your time listening to as many different systems as you can. Pay special attention to what equipment the manufacturers have paired together--often they have determined it is a synergistic setup that makes their equipment sound close to its best (this is not always 100% true--but it is fairly reliable). IMO, only after you have heard a lot of equipment will you be able to determine what system you are actually chasing. Then, IMO you should look for very good deals on the equipment you actually want. Don't buy it unless you are convinced you can't get it at a better price any time in the near future. This method should allow you to use discipline to wait for what you really want at a good price and your money will go farther to get a complete system that you aren't constantly feeling you need to upgrade. Otherwise, you may pay too much and not get as much as you otherwise would for the same amount of money.
Have fun--you are at a really fun part of the journey.
Regards
Al   
bigslacker's avatar
bigslacker OP
41 posts
 
I should mention the system will probably be used primarily for the turntable. After I source some HQ sound files, I can see streaming those frequently too. Maybe 50/50.
So I guess DAC would also be near the end of the list. And I'm also guessing either the TT or speakers would be the first thing to get upgraded. As to the order of the other pieces. . . . lol I'm still clueless.



Ps. Thank You, Al. I'll start looking for a good show to attend.


inna
7,132 posts
 
I would start with speakers. If you choose right you will enjoy them for a long time. Then power amps and speaker cables. This would make a speakers/power amps/speaker cables unit complete. After that - preamp to match the amp but also future phono stage and dac.
I would upgrade turntable/tonearm/cartridge last, this step is just as important as speakers. Tables/arms can last for decades.
But if you are going to buy used you will be limited by what's available at the moment, so it might be more chaotic and complicated. Ideally, you want to have the entire signal chain in your mind before proceeding. Still, speakers first, unless perhaps you want to use particular esoteric lower power tube amps and then match speakers to it.
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