YOUR DREAM SYSTEM

[Jim Shaw]

YOUR DREAM MUSIC SYSTEM

What would you buy (new) to build your dream (but practical) 2.x music system?
No home theatre, just music. Save HT for another post.
No vintage, all readily available new today, with a total cost within say the cost of a good used car (U$ 20,000)

What musical genres do you mostly play? (It matters when selecting components.)

Categories
Predominant musical genres (please do not say 'all'):
Speakers:
Turntable:
Cartridge:
Streamer/DAC:
Preamp/control:
Amplifier:
DAC (if any)::
Headphones:
Subwoofer(s):
CD/SACD Player (if any):
Anything else in your wet dream:

 

[Jim Shaw]

YOUR DREAM MUSIC SYSTEM

What would you buy (new) to build your dream (but practical) 2.x music system?
No home theatre, just music. Save HT for another post.
No vintage, all readily available new today, with a total cost within say the cost of a good used car (U$ 20,000)

What musical genres do you mostly play? (It matters when selecting components.)

Categories
Predominant musical genres:
Speakers:
...

Pardon if I go first just to kick things off:

Musical genres: Classical, symphonic, choral, solo piano, jazz, vocal, organ, chamber
(all US$)
Speakers: Revel F208 $2500/ea
Turntable: Technics SL1200 Mk 7 $1500
Cartridge: Ortofon Black $750
Cartridge: Bluesound Node $600
Preamp/control: Parasound 200 $900
Amplifier: Buckeye Purifi 1ET400A $1200
DAC: (if any) Topping D90SE $900
Headphones: AKG K371 $160
Rythmik L12 (2ea) @$650
CD/SACD Player: Denon DCD-1600NE $1500

Approx. cost new: $13,500 USD

 

[anotherhobby]

To be honest, within the price range you've listed, I own my dream system. The only piece that I question is my Denon, and that's mostly because I think my Focals would sing a little better with a bit more power, but I don't know that to be true. I guess I'll round out my dream system below by adding 2 Benchmarks.

Predominant musical genres: jazz dominant (old stuff and new stuff), lots of jazz derivative genres, Americana/folk, then a smattering of everything else.

Speakers: Focal Aria 936 ($6k pair)
Turntable: Technics SL-1500C-K ($1200)
Cartridge: Soundsmith Otello ES Cartridge ($300)
AVR/Pre: Denon AVR-X4300H (not current, but this year's X4700H is $2k)
Amplifier: 2x Benchmark AHB2 in mono ($6k, don't have these, just want)
Subwoofer(s): Two JL Audio e112's ($5k pair)

MSRP Total: $20,500

 

[odarg64]

What musical genres do you mostly play? (It matters when selecting components.)

Sigh...

 

[FrantzM]

HI

You said dream and my dreams have changed thanks to ASR. Still , you said "Dream"...

Active Based:
Genelec 8351 ($8,000.oo/pair)
Genelec W371A. ($20,000.oo/pair)
SVS SB-16 or equivalent Rythmik ($3,000.oo)
NO Turntable ($0.00)
Trinnov Altitude, I know, no HT, Still... Trinnov Altitude... $20,000.oo
TOTAL $52,000.oo

Passive-Based
Revel f328Be $($17,500.oo/pair)
3 x Rythmik or SVS Sealed Subwoofers ($5,000.oo)
Class D 500 watt/ch Amp ($3,000.oo/Pair)
Trinnov Altitude, I know, no HT, Still... Trinnov Altitude... $20,000.oo
TOTAL: $45,000.oo

Headphones:
Current is as good as it gets, so not much dreaming on this side:
HiFiMan HE6Se-v2
Drop THX AAA789
Topping D10b
Raspberry Pi with Volumio and Fusion DSP
NO Turntable
TOTAL" <$900.oo


To be frank, Looking at the prices, I shudder at the W371A prices.. Each $9,995.oo MSRP.. That is a bit rich, and bordering on HEA pricing, if you ask me ... I could be moved to simply eschew the W371A and use Rythmik FM8 As base/woofer for the 8351A and a pair of other Rythmik to complement but, there is something interesting about the pattern control afforded by the W371A...

Peace

 

[Tom C]

@Jim Shaw I really like your list. My own would be quite similar. But I have a couple questions…
given the subwoofer pair, do F208 make sense, vs going with the stand mount M106 (saving money), or M126Be (a step up). With that budget, Gem2 could even be considered, new or (better) used. As an added potential bonus, M126Be offers a greater number of finish options.
When I want to play physical disc in a player, my choice is Sony UBP-X700, which will play about anything, with some limitations. Mine was less than $200, but that was over a year ago. Since you already have a DAC in the budget, you only need a transport, so I think you could skip the Denon player without too much trouble.

 

[Jim Shaw]

@Jim Shaw I really like your list. My own would be quite similar. But I have a couple questions…
given the subwoofer pair, do F208 make sense, vs going with the stand mount M106 (saving money), or M126Be (a step up). With that budget, Gem2 could even be considered, new or (better) used. As an added potential bonus, M126Be offers a greater number of finish options.
When I want to play physical disc in a player, my choice is Sony UBP-X700, which will play about anything, with some limitations. Mine was less than $200, but that was over a year ago. Since you already have a DAC in the budget, you only need a transport, so I think you could skip the Denon player without too much trouble.

Interesting. Lots of options to trade, eh? The topic was meant to be food for thought, no argument there.
As to subwoofers, I enjoy pipe organ music, so I doubled down on 2 good subs. A pipe organ has fundamentals to 16 Hz, and the Revels would be more than 10 dB down at ~24 Hz. And two subs to drive the room effortlessly and overcome any room modes.

The Sony looks good. My only issue is that video players usually need a video monitor to make selections -- they have no built-in display. I currently wrestle with this by using a Philips DVD player into my DAC. Sounds great, but its UI is designed to use a television.

 

[JeffS7444]

A suitably-sized room, not too isolated from the rest of the dwelling because the last thing I need is a padded cell. Make the room/light/furnishings amenable to listening while eating, reading, or on the computer.

Music: Mostly pop music of the 20th and 21st centuries, not necessarily from the English-speaking world. Because I am a musical tourist: I may not understand the words, but I like a catchy tune, and the amazement of discovering awesomeness that I've never heard before.

Kind of torn as to hardware choices: Obvious route for me is something like Linkwitz LX-Studio speakers + amps, crossovers, etc. But it involves more boxes, cables and what-not. As opposed to a single system handling cinema and 2-channel from a Denon AVR.

Either way, would love to try implementing with Linkwitz open-baffle woofers.

Bluetooth: Both receive and transit, because I might want wireless headphones.

Very much like the idea of a turntable connected via Bluetooth or Toslink, or even standalone turntable (Headache Sound Omni?) because much of it's value is as a toy, and I want the freedom to move it about on a whim.

Already own RPi-based streamer, internet radio (Revo Superconnect), MiniDSP HA-DSP headphone amplifier, Fostex T50RP II headphones

 

[sprellemannen]

I feel done buying hi-fi gear as my dreams have already come true.

Passive based
The system I currently have in my living room (see the spoiler) with the Sennheiser HD 800 S (they are "placed" in my desk setup).
Total price (MSRP): Approximately $36,000.

Active based
Genelec 1236A, Benchmark DAC3 HGC, Sennheiser HD 800 S and cheap (but excellent) cables by Benchmark/Canare.
Total price (MSRP): Approximately $47,000.

Desk setup
My current setup. Its total price (MSRP) is approximately $3,800.

 

[NiagaraPete]

Option one
D&D with stands. Interface from iPad to speakers. Maybe something for streaming.

Option two
Neumann KH420, same as above.

Option three
Genelec 8361 + pair of W371a, same as above.

 

[jhenderson0107]

I have the W371a + 8351Bs.

Now I'm building the Linkwitz 521.4s.

"Having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting. It is not logical but it is often true".

- from this poster which hangs in my garage:

 

[Purité Audio]

Option one
D&D with stands. Interface from iPad to speakers. Maybe something for streaming.

Option two
Neumann KH420, same as above.

Option three
Genelec 8361 + pair of W371a, same as above.

You don’t need a streamer with the 8Cs just Roon.
Keith

 

[Tom C]

I feel done buying hi-fi gear as my dreams have already come true.

Passive based
The system I currently have in my living room (see the spoiler) with the Sennheiser HD 800 S (they are "placed" in my desk setup).
Total price (MSRP): Approximately $36,000.

Active based
Genelec 1236A, Benchmark DAC3 HGC, Sennheiser HD 800 S and cheap (but excellent) cables by Benchmark/Canare.
Total price (MSRP): Approximately $47,000.

Desk setup
My current setup. Its total price (MSRP) is approximately $3,800.

It’s amazing how, even making sensible choices, the cost can really add up.

 

[syn08]

YOUR DREAM MUSIC SYSTEM

Predominant musical genres (please do not say 'all'): punk, post-punk, industrial, noise, jazz
Speakers: Focal Utopia Be (current model: Utopia III EVO)
Turntable: VPI Avenger Plus
Cartridge: Lyra Delos
Streamer/DAC: Happy with the current RPi based streamers, running Volumio
Preamp/control: Mola Mola Makua
Amplifier: Either Benchmark AHB2 or any good Purify 1ET400A based implementation.
DAC (if any):: Topping D90SE
Headphones: Sennheiser HD820
Subwoofer(s): no need
CD/SACD Player (if any): no need
Anything else in your wet dream: money to purchase these, and a treated room to install them.

The target $20k price is not matching any of my wet dreams . Also doesn’t match anything resembling the real life .

 

[RayDunzl]

Already got my dream system.

Or I quit dreaming.

Pick one.

 

[olbobcat]

Music: punk, rock a billy, psychobilly, goth, jazz, classic rock, rock, Hardcore, DJs, electronica,Triphop, Ska, Western swing, Bluegrass, Garage, Surf, Americana,++++++, not all but most music
Dac: Toppings D90se. $800
Active Crossover DSP: ?????????
Nothing for physical media, just a Nimbie and my NUC computer for ripping and storage.
Amps: 6 channel Class D Hypex or Purifi, 1 or 2 monos for sub or subs $4000.
Speakers: I will build my own. Since I am a Horn guy a present.
Custom big multicell horns or Biradial wood like TAD with Celestion Axi 2050 drivers.
Big bass bins with Faital 15pr400 2 per cabinet. about $8000.
Two big subs or one giant sub for $2000 to $6000.

 

[MattHooper]

YOUR DREAM MUSIC SYSTEM

What would you buy (new) to build your dream (but practical) 2.x music system?
No home theatre, just music. Save HT for another post.
No vintage, all readily available new today, with a total cost within say the cost of a good used car (U$ 20,000)

What musical genres do you mostly play? (It matters when selecting components.)

Categories
Predominant musical genres (please do not say 'all'):
Speakers:
Turntable:
Cartridge:
Streamer/DAC:
Preamp/control:
Amplifier:
DAC (if any)::
Headphones:
Subwoofer(s):
CD/SACD Player (if any):
Anything else in your wet dream:

Ok, I'll play.

Except for some reason you've limited people's dream system to $20,000. What if your dream system doesn't fit that budget?

Like some others, I feel I own my dream system in terms of what I can afford, and as it was accumulated over time it cost more than $20,000.

So if you don't mind I'll just move on to my dream system...if I had total f*ck you money

DAC - whatever. Benchmark like the one I have
Streamer - I dunno. I'm fine with the Bluesound Streamer I own. Don't know much about expensive ones.

Ok, here's where I go all goofy audiophile:

Preamp: Conrad Johnson Gat 2:

AMPLIFIER: Conrad Johnson ART 130 (monoblocks, this is just one of them):



TURNTABLE: Triangle Art Anubis. Because I just think it looks so wild and cool:



SPEAKERS: Devore Fidelity O/Reference:

 

[SDC]

I dream better room... I want to live in a pent

 

[crazycloud]

No vintage, all readily available new today, with a total cost within say the cost of a good used car (U$ 20,000)

Too many limitations. I can design and build my own speakers and have a heavily modified SP10, so why would I want to compromise with new gear?

 

[JaccoW]

Predominant musical genres: Jazz, Ambient, Disco, House, Rock
Speakers: Harbeth SHL5plus XD (€6000) or Wharfdale Linton Heritage 85th (€1400). Different price range, I know. I like the boxiness of these vintage speakers and the last time I heard the SHL5 I really liked it. Not sure what else is out there. Maybe something like the KLH Model 5 (€2500), Klipsch Heresy IV (€3800)?
Turntable: modified Technics SL-1700(MK2) (€200+)
Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT-MC2022 (for the lolz @ $9000) I'm pretty happy with my Audio-Technica VM540ML (€250)
Amplifier: Technics SU-G700M2 (€2299)
CD/SACD Player/Streamer: Technics SL-G700 (€2499)
Reel-to-reel: Akai GX-747dbx (€2500-4500)
Mini-PC: Minisforum HX90G (€969) or Elitemini TH80 (€560)

All in a nice silver + walnut finish.