Need help with putting together a stereo system

J

Journal

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Jun 19, 2024
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india
Hello everyone,



I'm completely new to this type of gear and these kind of forums. (so please forgive any rookie mistakes). I'm finally in my journey to understanding how to built a good audio system (hope it manage to educate myself slowly and surely its never too late). Honestly all my life I've believed that one needs a lot of money to buy good gear but I think now I see that is not the absolute truth (to some extent it will always be true) but if once approach is correct and with time one can keep upgrading get a sound one likes or prefers.



So my first purchase was a while ago the 5.1 focal dome flax for my movie set up. I got an Harmon Kardon AV receiver with it ( came free ans still works fine has airplay and sportify and i use apple music until now.

anyway, my real journey towards stereo sound system started recently when I purchased a Luxman L 507 Z integrated amplifier. Now i need to buy speaker that go well with it, budget is modest for now roughly $ 2500 or so. To be honest I didn't think this through, I got a good deal on Luxman in Japan so i bought it there. (it's way cheaper in Japan) Now I wonder if I should use my tower speaker as the front 2 in the 5.1 and use the luxman to power them ( this will most def elevate my movie experience) and also be able to use the towers as a stereo for music only ( i have a mid size bedroom roughly 20 feet X 12 feet) The center and surround could use power and signal from the AV receiver.

But someone said that I'll need a home theater by-pass on the Luxman for that (which it doesn't have). I'm not sure how to go about it. or if it's even a possibility?



besides that I'll need recommendation on speakers and what all should i consider. I'm based in India and the gear gets expensive by the time it goes through customs etc.

I was looking at Spendors A2 or A4 (can't get much review on it) not sure of they will pair well with Luxman and do justice to it. Little on the higher side are B&W 603 S3 (not sure if this is worth it) or other options are KEF Q950, Polk R700, or Dynaudio Emit 50 ( all these option came from a local dealer) I'm happy to hear as many options from members here.

post that I'll need to address the Dac + streamers as well. Budget about $1500- S2000

i"m not sure if I'm setting a realistic budget or is it possible to spend less but get good sound without name like (lumin etc). I'd be glad to reduce the budget wherever necessary but i rather wait and buy something that works well then change every 6 months or 1 years. I'm happy to go with a cheap streamer and a good Dac since that's what I'm made to believe matter.



any thoughts also please feel free to burst any myths I believe are true.



thank a ton for taking the time out to read or reply.
 
Your Lux has a Separate button which should be the same as HT Bypass. It allows you to use either the Pre or the Amp sections separately depending on your setup. I have the 505UXII and use it to drive my front speakers while using my HT setup.
 
You don't necessarily have to have a HT bypass. You can use any regular input BUT you have to set your Luxman to a certain volume, as example let's say "80", run your auto speaker set up with the Luxman at 80 than when watching movies or using the Denon the Luxman has to always at 80 in order to remain balanced with all speakers. When using the Denon the Luxman will be the slave and you would not use that volume control, it remains at whatever volume you set the Luxman to when you set up your surround speakers after the Luxman is in the chain.

My taste in speakers would be the Spender or Dynaudio. Spender leaning more toward a sweeter sound where the Dynaudio would excel in bass, slightly more dynamic to my ears. To conserve space and budget I'd try the Luxman as the front left/right to see how it does with your Focal. Of course, all your 2-channel sources would go into the Luxman and the Denon turned off when listening to the Luxman.

Some will argue but my experience has proven to me streamers do matter and you can benefit from higher quality streamer. If you like the Innuos they make good products. I'm not sure what to recommend as DAC without knowing what you have access to. The Luxman is a very nice unit so my advice is not to cut corners on your source, if the detail doesn't come from the source nothing after that will provide that lost detail.

Hope that makes sense. Welcome to Audio Shark
 
Post #2 hit while I was typing, I think the only thing that would change on my post is the stuff about the volume control, that's not necessary with a bypass. Once the Lux is in the chain though you do have to do a fresh speaker set up for surround sound.
 
"The Luxman is a very nice unit so my advice is not to cut corners on your source, if the detail doesn't come from the source nothing after that will provide that lost details" - Mr Peabody

Makes Sense in fact it's tough to explain that logic to everyone. Most people suggest to get Wiim pro or mini DSP. I'm not sure of them or even eversolo A6 for that matter. Local dealer for Luxman India suggested Audiolab (since he sells both) But if Audiolab is really that good an option then I'll have to wait or rob the bank.

Firstly, without VPN in India we can get Spotify or Apple Music (lossless) I'm using Apple music as if now to stream. Not sure how their Loseless streaming quality is compared to that of Roon or Tidal connect.

Otherwise my AVR currently has airplay. So I can continue with that or you think its better to move to Roon or Tidal ?

When it comes to Speakers, I can afford Splendor A2 or may be A4. Other option little above the budget is B&W 603 S3 (if they are really worth it not sure about it). In term of Dynaudio, Emit 50 is what was suggested by the local dealer. I'm not sure if there are better Models that worth a try. A lot of people recommended KEF R3 Meta (but they are bookshelves) I wonder how the R5 meta fair in terms of their quality.

When it comes to DAC there are a lot of option Like SMSL SU X (10) or there is Musician Pegasus II. Heard some good things about Mhdt labs (but no chance of hearing it, without ordering it) here i need help of people who have tried a few dac to suggest how each one fairs in comparison.
last option in my budget was Liberty Line DAC II from mytek. I read good reviews of Brooklyn DAC + bridge II roon core 4 TB (again its over budget but if its better then audiolab I'm willing to wait and buy it when I'm done with the bank robbery or picking bricks.


well, all these I've researched on the internet and not heard anything yet. Every make of speaker's dealers are different so is tough to compared them on site. since every dealer's set up is so different.
So I guess, its good to hear some opinions here and then zero down a few option before going to the dealers.


thank you so much for your time and patience.

cheers
 
Journal said:
"The Luxman is a very nice unit so my advice is not to cut corners on your source, if the detail doesn't come from the source nothing after that will provide that lost details" - Mr Peabody

Makes Sense in fact it's tough to explain that logic to everyone. Most people suggest to get Wiim pro or mini DSP. I'm not sure of them or even eversolo A6 for that matter. Local dealer for Luxman India suggested Audiolab (since he sells both) But if Audiolab is really that good an option then I'll have to wait or rob the bank.

Firstly, without VPN in India we can get Spotify or Apple Music (lossless) I'm using Apple music as if now to stream. Not sure how their Loseless streaming quality is compared to that of Roon or Tidal connect.

> Your Apple lossless is fine for your set up. Roon is not amusic service but more of an organizing software and ap.

Otherwise my AVR currently has airplay. So I can continue with that or you think its better to move to Roon or Tidal ?

> I'm not really sure how Airplay compares to Connect when streaming. Tidal is in sort of a transition from MQA to FLAC, you might want to remain with what you have for a while then once Tidal has completed their change maybe try a free trial.

When it comes to Speakers, I can afford Splendor A2 or may be A4. Other option little above the budget is B&W 603 S3 (if they are really worth it not sure about it). In term of Dynaudio, Emit 50 is what was suggested by the local dealer. I'm not sure if there are better Models that worth a try. A lot of people recommended KEF R3 Meta (but they are bookshelves) I wonder how the R5 meta fair in terms of their quality.

> Speakers are more of a personal choice opposed to better best. I'd go with what you can hear or have a return policy on. The R3's are really good. You would have to get stands but they are a 3-way. I can say the speakers you are considering are all good, just have different presentations.

When it comes to DAC there are a lot of option Like SMSL SU X (10) or there is Musician Pegasus II. Heard some good things about Mhdt labs (but no chance of hearing it, without ordering it) here i need help of people who have tried a few dac to suggest how each one fairs in comparison.
last option in my budget was Liberty Line DAC II from mytek. I read good reviews of Brooklyn DAC + bridge II roon core 4 TB (again its over budget but if its better then audiolab I'm willing to wait and buy it when I'm done with the bank robbery or picking bricks.

> The MyTech stuff is very good. Some people really love the Chinese DAC's I've had no real experience with them nor Audio Lab. A DAC I have heard and impressed for the money was the TEAC, I forget the model, something like 501 or 505, it also has some preamp functions and streaming. I heard it in a Mark Levinson set up and preferred the TEAC to the DAC built into the Levinson preamp.


well, all these I've researched on the internet and not heard anything yet. Every make of speaker's dealers are different so is tough to compared them on site. since every dealer's set up is so different.
So I guess, its good to hear some opinions here and then zero down a few option before going to the dealers.


thank you so much for your time and patience.

cheers
Click to expand...

Maybe Mike or someone with experience with Luxman will chime in on speakers etc.
 
Welcome! For your Luxman L 507 Z, consider using the tower speakers for both stereo music and as the front speakers in your 5.1 setup—though you'll need a home theater bypass, which the Luxman lacks. For speakers, consider the KEF Q950 or Dynaudio Emit 50; they pair well with Luxman. Also, start with a good DAC and a basic streamer within your budget to gradually build your system. Insta Pro ♕
 
Here are a few things that would help narrow it down:


  1. Purpose – Music listening, home theater, DJing, vinyl setup, etc.?
  2. Room Size – Small bedroom, living room, big open space?
  3. Budget – Ballpark is fine.
  4. Sources – What will you be playing from? (Phone, turntable, CD, streaming, etc.)
  5. Preference – Are you into vintage gear, modern minimalist, wireless/Bluetooth, or wired high-fidelity?

Once I know a bit more, I can recommend components like receivers, speakers, amps, and sources that fit your setup and vibe.aslo visit sso
 
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