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Sound System on $10K Budget

All, sorry if this has been asked a million times before. I am looking to build a home audio system from scratch and want to keep it under $10K. I have no idea where to start, and scrolling through this forum has just made me more overwhelmed. For context, I have a headphone setup (Meze Empyrean and HD 800S and a Vioelectric V280/1). Unfortunately, I haven't used the system in over a year--I find it too difficult given all the wires, turning my desktop on, etc. As such, I am looking to put in a home audio system that I can more casually listen to as I work, cook, etc.

The room I am putting the system in is 34 x 20 with 12 foot ceilings. I am looking for a system that is just all around good (jack of all trades master of none) given the budget. I will not be doing any room treatments, etc (not worth the marginal benefit and I am not looking for perfection here). The system will be used daily for TV and for music. As far as genres, I really like everything, but skew towards alternative/indie/pop/rock. I am guessing I will want a sub, but I have no idea and am flexible. I was thinking two loudspeakers, but I am flexible.

FWIW, I don't really believe in expensive cables and think it is a waste of the budget at this price point, but I am open to other opinions. I am open to buying used equipment (I actually prefer used equipment--I believe quality audio equipment should last forever). Overall goal is simplicity + all around good. 

tas2200
audio-fanman's avatar
audio-fanman
6 posts
 

Start with speakers.

2 Years ago I started my journey...

Are you handy ? I followed a thread for 10+ years on a DIY speaker design.

Elsinore speakers. Many consider end game. Depending on how nuts you go, you should have 5-6K left. Speakers are 98db per watt, so 10W will pretty much blow the windows out....  Been told they go louder than anyone ever needs...

That said, I did a Tube amp (8-9 Usable watts) (love it) turntable and RPie/LMS streamer ..

Many folks who never heard  music like this cant simply walk past the system... It draws most in, mouths gaping murmuring OMG, that sounds soooo very nice...

I figure that I'm still south of the 10k number. And I would spend double for the speakers if I had too.....

 

Good luck...

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 

Not a novice. 
buying, selling, trading for well over 35+ years. 
 

 Headroom you will need!

flea watt amps are worthless!

 

35+ years of audio, had 100W receivers, etc, they clip, and distort , don’t waste your money 

250WPC minimum

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,844 posts
 

You are clueless, 35 years notwithstanding .

rego
378 posts
 

Speakers $ 4.5k 

SB G90 M2 Technics 

Integrated $ 2.5k 

SU G700 M2 Technics 

Speaker Cable $ 400 - 800 

Ascent 12TC Kimber Kable 

Base    12VS Kimber Kable  

I would absolutely wait for M2 Products when available. 

Music Direct  

Given – reluctance to spend more for cable I included two options. 

Just good solid simple tech – high quality material. 

My System consists of a mix of two Technics Class Components. 

Premium SB C700 > Grand SU G90 > 12 TC 

While my total is a bit N of $10K it includes Prime TT > Assortment of ICs. 

My front burner goals are to step up to Ascent and settle on a Power Cable. 

Yes … Power Cable as well. 

MO you will not regret spending $ 1k on Ascent 12TC. 

Some of the users here have SB C700 … search Virtual Systems. 

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

with a matching center channel for tv... then a decent av receiver

Oh please no.

35+ years of audio, had 100W receivers, etc, they clip, and distort , don’t waste your money 

You are right 100 watt receivers are crap but a 25 watt tube amp can work very well in a lot of systems. 

 

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