Where to begin?

[Pooka]

Hello. I'm new to the forums and to the hobby of high-end audio. I wanted to build a nice home system. I have absolutely nothing, so I'll be starting from scratch. I think my budget will be around $2000, but that is negotiable. I listen to jazz, classical, folk, and live music mostly. I would like something that sounds natural. I don't like thumpy bass. I will listen to all suggestions as to what I should consider buying and in what order I should purchase it. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Happy Camper]

Since you already have the HD 580s and SR-60s, will your budget include more hps?

What will be your medium? Computer files, cds, LP?

[Pooka]

Hi, Happy Camper. I would like new headphones and that would have a separate budget. I'd be willing to spend up to $1000 for headphones. I currently have all my music on the computer, but am planning on purchasing it all again on CD and am considering getting a turntable as well.

[compuryan]

A good place to start is the source. Regardless of which headphones you choose, you'll want to get a really good source. It sounds like you'll want one with an integrated CD player. There are many right around $1000, especially if you're willing to buy things used. Cambridge Audio 840C is one that comes to mind, a Meridian 508.20/508.24 might work well too.

[mrwinick]

Sounds like our listening preferences are very similar. I have been on a long journey and have found a system that I absolutely love that ended up costing right around your budget. I have my music on a mac. It was all ripped lossless. I use VLC media player instead of itunes. My source is an Oritek Dac, my amp is a singlepower mpx3 and my headphones are senn hd600's with a cardas cable (as of today). Sacd_lover was selling his mpx3 recently. If it is still available you should contact him. I tried hd650's a few years ago and they were too 'dark' for me. That may have changed recently with an update to those headphones. I tried akg-701's and they did not compare favorably with the hd600's--I would describe the sound as 'thin.' I went from a headsave classic (inexpensive) amp, to the corda arietta, to the lunchbox 2 to the mpx3. Not a fair comparison-the mpx3 is an order of magnitude better in every way. The fact that you can create the sound signature you want by tube rolling is fantastic. I went from no dac to an emu 0404 and there was an impressive difference. The move to the Oritek was another huge step up. The soundstage exploded out in all directions. The last step was the cardas and it too was a noticeable improvement. For roughly $2000 you can replicate what I have and I don't think anyone could be unhappy with that system. Good luck and have fun.

[Happy Camper]

We have to concentrate on the source first. This is important because there are so many options. Since you have your music currently on computer, I will start there. With a budget of $2k, I'd put half that in a source. In this decision, you need to debate if you want to stay single ended or go balanced.

You have two options. A stand alone DAC or a CDP with digital ins.

DACs- All the DACs money can buy...
All the DACs money can buy, pt. 2

The other half I'd put in an amp.

REVIEW AND COMPARISON OF 23 HOME HEADPHONE AMPS add Travagans Red

Put in $1000 in the search function of the amp section and see what comes up.

On any of this stuff, going to the f/s forum and typing the unit or price in the search will bring up options. Then you can go to the amp forum and enter the unit for further study.

This will get you started. Come back with any specifics and we can direct you.

Welcome to our forums and enjoy. Sorry for your wallet.

[zx10guy]

Are you looking to have a 2 channel system or a multi-channel system? If you are looking at a 2 channel system, is a sub going to be a consideration?

[Happy Camper]

If you have a Guitar Center to visit, swing by and test some of the different maker's wares. Find the sound you like and then check out the hp forum for reviews of that model.

Details with no booming bass sound like AKG, AT, Grado in the dynamic type and any electrostatic type. If buying electrostats, they will need their own amp, so the $1k amp budget could be in your $1k hp budget, so $2k electrostat budget will get you a nice setup.

As mentioned above, used here or on Audiogon will get you more for your money, once you know what you want.

In spending this kind of money, it would be in your best interest to go to a meet that has some of the equipment of interest. Even if you don't know yet what you want, you will get some idea of the characteristics of the level of gear you wish to invest in.

FWIW, the majority of people who hear electrostats are hooked. Among the most detailed hps made. Unfortunately, they are also among the most expensive.

Example: A used HE60/HEV70 stat system ($1750) and the above mentioned Azur 840c ($1000) set up would be very nice. Toss in a $100 IC & a $100 glass optical cable and your listening to a very nice setup. The Azur has digital ins that allow you to listen to your computer files and play cds.

[meat01]

I would listen to a few CD players first, before dropping $1K on one. You may be happy with a $500 or $300 CD player and have more to spend on headphones which really make the most difference in sound quality. It is true that garbage in equals garbage out, but a $300 CD player is far from garbage. I agree your buck will go farther on Audiogon. There have not been that many advancements in CD players over the years. A $1k CD player a few years ago still sounds great.

[moogoob]

I would say base your system around an outboard DAC (essentially a high-end external soundcard that usually can accept optical/coaxial digital input and often USB as well). I can vouch that a decent DAC can make quite a big difference. Then focus on your cans, and match an amp to them.

[Pooka]

Thanks for all of the information. I see myself happily doing research this weekend in order to process it all. Alas, there are no Guitar Centers in my state, but I will keep it in mind the next time I go on a road trip. Attending a meet sounds like a great idea. I'm kind of shy around people I don't know, but I'll try to get over that. Once again, thanks for helping me out and I'm sure I'll be posting again once I process all of this information and educate myself a bit.

[qusp]

x2 on using your computer as source combined with a nice dac. just re-rip to lossless and off you go. IMO Its far more convenient to have all you music in a searchable format especially with a large library. all you need is some isolation pads for your hardrive and off you go jk but seriously if you have a decent computer why not just start there; if you are like me you'll spend a lot of your listening time at the computer anyway. lavry make some really nice dacs around your pricerange. and i'm chime in with the other posters and say buy used from here or audigon you could save enough money to add to your music collection or buy even nicer HP or amp.as far as amps go I would look at the rudistor offerings.... WOW

[Uncle Erik]

I take another approach to planning a system - start with the transducers you want first. I think you already have a HD-580, so keep that and look at the AKG K-501, AKG K-1000, Beyerdynamic DT880, and the Beyerdynamic DT48. All of those do well with the music you like.

Next, find an amp that drives your headphones well. You'd probably do well to look into tubes - they really deliver the mids and highs that you enjoy. Solid state can be good, too, but tubes are probably what you'll find most pleasing. Try going through the For Sale Forum, since there are some terrific values in there. There's a good deal on a MPX3 and I think there's an EC-01 in there, too.

As for sources, it is true that garbage in is garbage out. The problem is that there's a fallacy in that statement. It assumes that less expensive sources are garbage. Some are, but many are not. If you look at the actual measurements of even a $100 CD player, they are usually far from garbage. Don't assume something is bad because of the price. For example, Oppo players are good, as is the Sony SCD-CE595. If you're willing to go used, the Marantz SA-8260 can be found for $300-$400. That was a class "A" Stereophile pick while it was in production. Certainly not garbage, nor are many other affordable players. Also, these all play SACD. If you're into jazz and classical, you might want to think about picking up a SACDs. I got into the format a couple years ago and have been very, very happy with the recording quality of all but one or two.

A turntable is a good idea, too. I started out with a Rega Planar 3, which I was very happy with. I'd recommend a used one. Others like the Technics SL-1200 as a first table. My cousin has one and I do like it, but I liked the Rega better.