About to start a beginning audiophile set-up

[mikaronni]

hey, so i'm new to the forums, but i have been reading around before, and all it's done for me is just get me more anxious to begin a new system. i just wanted some recommendations on where to start.

current situation:
right now, i just have a computer playing all my music through itunes. there is no improved soundcard, so it is just running straight from the headphone out into logitech z-2300. looking on these forums about soundcards, i just kept seeing better equipment that could bring out the most of my music.
i just have regular cd's, no sacd's or dvd-a's. they are mostly alternative/indie rock with some electronica and techno. so of course, i would like something that would be a strong performer throughout the whole frequency range.

so after reading about how a dedicated component can be better than a computer that is constantly used for multi-tasking, i decided that a cd player would probably be best for me. i currently have a budget building that would dedicate about $1000 for a good player. it seems like most people on the forums highly regard the rega apollo. so i was just wondering, would this be a good start off for me or should i consider other cd players?



other equipment:
this is a bit off-topic, but it goes with my questions about starting a new system. to complete my cd player, i wanted to add on a headphone amp as well as headphones, as it seems my speakers aren't as good as i thought they were. i really dont know what better audio sounds beyond my computer speakers.
to begin with the headphones, i was considering sennheiser hd650's. they get some pretty good reviews and is said to provide a nice low end, which i want to make sure is apparent when i listen. i also came across the ALO section of the site, so should i also consider recabling the headphones? are there any better alternatives out there, such as alo-modded ultrasone hfi780?
for my headphone amp, i am not sure what i would like yet. i dont know if a solid state or a tube amp would suit me best. so i am open to suggestions. but i have come across the little dot mkv and woo6, both which seem to be highly regarded. i hope to try to listen to both types at a store i will soon visit.




i am asking all these questions a bit early, but i just wanted to get an idea as i will be going to san francisco soon and wanted to check out an audio store to see if my ears would truly appreciate the improvements in sound quality. and the store i looked into carries both the rega apollo and sennheiser hd650. this is the store i plan to visit: Hi Fi Home Theater San Francisco High End Electronics AV Projectors Highend Speaker Systems Loudspeaker System. if there's anything on products on the site i should also consider, please note them. i am a bit intimidated because i came across some reviews of the store saying they were a bit elitist, and considering i'm just a teen, i doubt i would be treated seriously. so i would like to be well informed when i come in to try out new equipment.


if there's any other equipment recommendations, my planned budget will be around $2000 for all components, of course i would be willing to go a bit over, but that's just a general number. i would rather get some great introductory equipment instead of slowly upgrading so i'm willing to spend that much in one go.

[bigshot]

You'd do better to plan to build your system piece by piece. That way, you will get the best bang for the buck. The only thing you need a store for is equipment you need to audition... that would be the headphones or speakers. The rest can all be bought online much cheaper than a brick and mortar, and without the snobby high pressure salesmen.

See ya
Steve

[mikaronni]

haha, yeah, that's why i plan to go to the store. i see a lot better deals for the components else where.

[PFKMan23]

Another source I'd consider is the Cambridge Audio 840c.

[texashorn91]

Good recommendation, but I think the 840c is above his budget. I think you should also look at the upper end Marantz CD Players, they sound great. I am about 90% positive you will not see the Woo or Little Dot headphone amp at that store, as they are for a very small market. Little Dot is out of China, anyway. If you saw a headphone amp it would be something like a Graham Slee Solo or another well known brand. Also, don't worry about recabling your headphones, get that way down the road. Focus on everything else first. Good luck, I hope that helped!

[mikaronni]

thanks for the advice, but unfortunately the store does not seem to carry any marantz players based on their stock displayed online. if i dont consider recabling headphones like you said, the cambridge player can fit into my budget. it's a little bit on the pricey side, but it does seem like an interesting option. how strongly would you recommend it pfkman23? hi-fi seems to really like this player and the weaknesses seem to only be apparent in a to b comparisons as they noted.

[1UP]

Welcome to head-fi, sorry about your wallet! That shop has lots of good stuff!

Ask to hear some players and amps from: Arcam, Creek, NAD, Naim, Rega Simaudio. Arcam probably has the most laidback presentation, and the Naim the most toe-tapping, with the others in between.

You don't have to go for electronics from the same manufacturer, but sometimes it makes things easier to audition as brands tend to have a house sound.

In terms of speakers, be sure to listen to at least Dynaudio, KEF, and Triangle.

Don't be pressed to spend too much on cables and stands; you have to keep an eye on whether the salesperson is gonna try to take the mickey! Allocate no more than 5-10% of your budget on the cabling and speaker stands (if standmounted).

May be a good idea to test the CDP and amps' in-built headphone output capabilities with the Sennheisers until you get a dedicated headamp at another point (most good ones recommended round here won't be available in this kind of store).

Be sure to take along many favourite CDs along to give a comprehensive test - something balls-to-the-walls rockin', something chilled, something with strong vocals, something with piano, something with a prominent rhythm section.

Have loads of fun, don't be under pressure to buy anything, and let your ears be the judge and not the salesperson's pitter-patter!

[spyderx]

My advice: Spend the majority of your budget on the speakers. With that budget you can get some very nice bookshelfs (even higher end if you go used market). Spend a modest amount on an integrated amp. Rotel makes some very nice ones that you can pickup for a very decent price used. Spend the rest on your CD source.

An example: Rotel RA-1062 + CD Source + Speakers

In all honesty (I know this is head-fi) if you're looking at speaker setups, spend the money there.

Brands to checkout:
Dynaudio
Usher
KEF
B&W
Paradigm

[Hi-Finthen]

Another source I'd consider is the Cambridge Audio 740c.

[wower]

Lots of good info already. It's best not to blow the budget at this point. Anything with hi-end pedigree will be a step up. (This is how I got a good hi-fi source.) Get a source that isn't consumer grade and consider from there what kind of sound you personally like.

I personally like the low-end marantz but right now I would have to agree with thet rest of the thread and say the Cambridge Audio 640/740/840 offer the best bang for the buck at the moment. I think the rega apollo has a very a-typicial sound sig that my not fit every system or personal preference. (I love the saturn however.)