A high-end stereo sound system for less than five grands! ...Speakers, Interconnects, and Cables included!

Magnepan's are the best value out there, new or used and you can easily build a formidable system for under 5k! If they don't float your boat, used Vandersteen's...

Jim
 
Re: A High-end Stereo Sound System for Less than Five Grands! ...Speakers, Interconnects, and Cables included!

A pair of used GoldenEar Triton Two's or Gallo Reference 3.5 would be worth consideration. When Vanns was selling the Mirage OMD-28's for $1699/pair, I snapped them up. Beautiful build quality.
 
NorthStar said:
Mike, not long ago I saw a pair of Mirage OMD-28's for sale from another audio forum, and for only $799/pair! :exciting:
...Excellent condition.
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Now THAT could be the start of your killer $5k system. If memory serves me correct, that's about 1/10 their original asking price.
 
Mike said:
Now THAT could be the start of your killer $5k system. If memory serves me correct, that's about 1/10 their original asking price.
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When they first came out they were $7,500/pair! ...Then $3,500/pair. ...And you can find them used for $1,500/pair or less if you really look.

* I tried to locate the place where I saw them for that ridiculously low price but helas without success (I bet they were sold real fast and then the post removed).
It was only a local sale, and without the boxes.

BUT! My own system here with two (not one but TWO) Hsu VTF-15H subwoofers ($1,758 for both of them in Satin Black, or $1,998 in beautiful Rosenut finish), and mated with those Totem Model 1 Signatures - Mahogany (Paul's choice for roughly $999/pair Cdn without stands), will give you all the Hallelujah voices of the world!

Add a great integrated amp for roughly $999. ...The Cambridge Azur 840A v2 from Paul is only $780 Canadian dollars.
And the Azur 840A v2 provides 200 watts RMS into 4 Ohm loads! ...That is plenty for the Totem Model 1 Signature monitor speakers.

...And the Oppo BDP-105 for also $999 (directly refurb from Oppo, with the same warranty as new), as your source for CDs, SACDs, DVD-Audios, Blu-ray Audios, HDCDs, Digital hi-res music downloads, Wav, FLAC, DSD formats are all supported, and Headphone listening, and a digital processor/convertor (DAC), and a preamp too (with five possible sources and its own volume level control), and also with so many other features that you'll still be all set even after you're long gone (departed from this planet)! :D
Think of it as your ultimate legacy, your musical heritage to your young lovely daughter. :cool:

And strike an overall deal which includes the speakers stands and all the wires, and you're in full orchestral heaven with all the angels sitting on clouds, and for only five grands all together! :)
- You still have roughly $465 left for the speaker stands, speaker wires, and interconnects for the source and subs.
KimberKable (used, like from Dave), and quality speaker stands are easily obtainable.

Hey, check out a review of that sub: http://www.hometheater.com/content/hsu-vtf-15h-subwoofer

I bet that this hi-end stereo system could play orchestral classical music at realistic levels (very loud), and would not feel embarrassed at all among other hi-end stereo sound systems that are much more expensive (say up to $50,000+).

My system (with Paul's help) is totally appropriate for quite large rooms (it has to, with 450 cubic inches of low frequency bass displacement). ...And with roughly 3,000 watts total of peak power output!
 
sharkmouth said:
One word: Paradigm, bang for the buck is bigger than lovelace in the mall.
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+1!!!!!! I can attest to this! With those subwoofers (very good choice by the way) just pick up a pair of Paradigm Studio 20s which I think may run you less than $2K. Of course you'll need stands for those I think. Wait a minute, what about the power source, receiver/amp? By the way, the Kimber cables will not be necessary. The way your going about will still be over $5k I believe?
 
No, because the Kimber cables you can get on the used market (Dave here has some for sale), plus you always get discount from many audio stores.
I know so because I have several Kimber speaker wires and interconnects myself. ...Never pay full retail price.

I also own several Paradigm speakers in my home theater room. ...But no Studio versions, just yet.

Paradigm is fine for home theater, but for stereo music listening only I want something more high end, refined, exotic, less boxy (appearance?).

* And by the way, that system from post #31, it is a unique system, not the best but one that is very powerful and can be used with any genre of music: Classical Organ, Orchestral, Opera, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Smooth Jazz, Crying Blues, Electronica, RAP, Punk, anything at all. ...That's why I built it in the first place.
And with Paul's help it has also refinement.

Other people can build their own using tubes and stats. ...Go ahead, that's what this thread is for. :)
...A high end stereo system for less than five grands.
 
NorthStar said:
No, because the Kimber cables you can get on the used market (Dave here has some for sale), plus you always get discount from many audio stores.
I know so because I have several Kimber speaker wires and interconnects myself. ...Never pay full retail price.

I also own several Paradigm speakers in my home theater room. ...But no Studio versions, just yet.

Paradigm is fine for home theater, but for stereo music listening only I want something more high end, refined, exotic, less boxy (appearance?).

* And by the way, that system from post #31, it is a unique system, not the best but one that is very powerful and can be used with any genre of music: Classical Organ, Orchestral, Opera, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Smooth Jazz, Crying Blues, Electronica, RAP, Punk, anything at all. ...That's why I built it in the first place.
And with Paul's help it has also refinement.

Other people can build their own using tubes and stats. ...Go ahead, that's what this thread is for. :)
...A high end stereo system for less than five grands.
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Paradigms not good for music? Not high-end enough? You have not heard the Studios then. I think the ones you are referring to are their lower line offerings. The Studios are anything but boxy. Take a look at pics on-line and you'll see. I also find them extremely revealing. They don't color the sound too much if at all actually. I don't like speakers that color the sound. Remember too that the sound has more to do with the source and recording than anything else. Then of course there are our ears to consider in the equation. No two people hear exactly alike which is why it's not a good idea to take speaker recommendations at face value without a listen.
 
- Boxy; appearance, looks, outside build.

- More high end than Paradigm; that's right, lots of those around.

- And I certainly never said that they ain't no good at reproducing music; you did (assumed that I did).

- No, I was referring to ANY one of all their lines.

- I've seen them all; few of my audio dealers are Paradigm dealers.

- I love Paradigm speakers; they are made to sound real good, with great thinkers in the company, and with the help of the NRC facilities. They make their own quality drivers and use some of the best materials too. ...Even in their bottom lines. ...And they won more awards than anyone else year after year after year. ...One of the most solid speaker manufacturers coming from Canada, my home-grown country.

* Just want to make sure here, so that no one misinterprets my wordings. :)
 
Magnepan 1.7's- $2200, Peach Tree Nova 125 integrated hybrid tube amp with built in Sabre DAC-$1500, Rhythmik F12servo Sub $800, Cardas Pasec 1 meter XLR about $350pr, Belden 10g speaker wire by Bluejeans cables about 0.90cents a foot unterminated. The Peach Tree has a nice dynamic and transparent sound being a digital amp, high current 30 amps and it almost doubles it power at 4 ohms to 220wpc. The Cardas Parsecs lean a bit to the warmer side with very good resolution and clarity. Power cord by Cullen Cables - $125

Amplifier with DAC - nova125 Amplifier DAC with Tube | Peachtree Audio

http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/media/reviews/TONEAudio-nova125-review.pdf

or the newer-

http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/nova220se-amplifier-with-dac.html

Rythmik Audio servo subwoofer 12" F12SE Signature Edition

This system consists of gear the perform way above their price points.

Other speakers to consider are Salk Song Towers, Dyn Audio, Thiel and PSB Synchrony Two's. I love the Synchrony One's but they sell for about $4500pr.
 
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They were favorably reviewed in an audiophile publication and they cost less than $1000/pr! I bet a set a tubes and these would be great!
 
Re: A High-end Stereo Sound System for Less than Five Grands! ...Speakers, Interconnects, and Cables included!

NorthStar said:
Paradigm makes some excellent speakers indeed Kev. The Reference Sudio 20's ($998/pair) would made a good choice, I think.
But then you need to add some speaker stands with them; something solid and of great value (inexpensive; like $100-200 for the pair).



Yes Mike, those too would do.



And yes again; as long as we don't go over $1,200 or so. ...Don't forget the stands.
Because that would leave us with roughly $1,040 for the integrated amp and interconnects and speaker wires.
...It's doable.




Yes Doug, if the prices are in the right range.



Nelson, our budget won't allow us to contemplate this excellent integrated amp and music server.
Or in the case of the int. amp, unless we can get a pair of great speakers in the five-six hundred dollars range or so.
...It's doable. ...Because we can get interconnects and speaker wires from Blue Jeans Cable or so.



Mark, if you read my first original post carefully, you would know that the high-end stereo sound system that I'm putting together is unique, extremely powerful (good for any type of music at all), and is only imaginary.
I am NOT personally looking for a new pair of speakers, but someone else might. :)

And! ...The two subs in that system are an integral part (essential) of the full balanced equation.
And that's why monitors with stands would do very well (easier to position for best imaging).
And the two subs' free positioning allow for a very solid and balanced foundation.

* The main purpose of this thread is to see what I, and all of you/us together (or alone if you prefer) can come up with, and intelligently recommend a high-end audio stereo system to someone with a budget of five grands, or less.
And the requisites are:
- A system that can play ALL types of music, and with great authority (Live, with you-are-there realism).
- A system that images very well (holographic).
- A system that is mostly Musical and Natural sounding, without any particular emphasis (neutral all across the full audio spectrum).
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Paradigms are Canadian too ya know.
 
Re: A High-end Stereo Sound System for Less than Five Grands! ...Speakers, Interconnects, and Cables included!

Mike said:
Another option would be Sonus Faber Venere 2.5's.
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I agree with you Mike, Sonus Faber Venere 2.5 floor standing speaker could be an excellent option for NorthStar!
I've tried it and is really powerful, no unwanted resonance at all!
 
NorthStar said:
- Boxy; appearance, looks, outside build.

- More high end than Paradigm; that's right, lots of those around.

- And I certainly never said that they ain't no good at reproducing music; you did (assumed that I did).

- No, I was referring to ANY one of all their lines.

- I've seen them all; few of my audio dealers are Paradigm dealers.

- I love Paradigm speakers; they are made to sound real good, with great thinkers in the company, and with the help of the NRC facilities. They make their own quality drivers and use some of the best materials too. ...Even in their bottom lines. ...And they won more awards than anyone else year after year after year. ...One of the most solid speaker manufacturers coming from Canada, my home-grown country.

* Just want to make sure here, so that no one misinterprets my wordings. :)
Click to expand...

Ok, I am a bit confused as you did say: "Paradigm is fine for home theater, but for stereo music listening only I want something more high end, refined, exotic, less boxy (appearance?)."
Yes, everything in their budget line below the Studios is boxy and quite frankly not impressive in sound quality either, however would do fine for a quick home theater set up. That said, the Studios on up are high-end and can hold their own against speakers costing twice as much. I find them to be rather revealing and colorless to my ears, perfect for music (and HT if one chooses), but that's me and my ears alone, everyone's mileage varies.
As for not being high-end enough, at the price I paid for my Studio 100s, they better well be high-end enough. Speakers more high-end than the Paradigms? If talking build, then in my opinion, no, just higher priced. That being said though, there are a few speakers just as nice out there in the same range. Paradigm being just one. Great Canadian company by the way.
Just my worthless opinion.
 
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