How would you spend your money?

[Worf101]

Your sources do make a difference. Designing a system for analogs sources (ie turntable, tape decks etc..) would require a far different tack than purely digital. Using your budgets, if the systems didn't have to do "double duty" and I had dedicated rooms for HT and music... I'd think I'd break it down in the following manner.

1. HT - 60% of my funds would be spent on getting the best upstream signal I could get without totally sacrifcing "warmth". The rest would be spent on decent matching fronts and center and average rears. The choice of sub would get the MOST attention and money out of the remaining 40% of funds.

2. Music only - 60% of funds would be allocated to speakers 30 percent to turntable and the last ten percent to some decent monoblocks. I'd probably have multiple choices of speakers perhaps for different musicl genres... if wishes wuz fishes.

Da Worfster

[bturk667]

How much would you spend on speakers (percentage wise) in an AUDIO ONLY system. Also, please list number of source components.
There were three budgets:
1. $5,000
2. $10,000
3. $20,000

[jbangelfish]

The question has nothing to do with HT.
I agree with Bryan that it would be very interesting to see the outcome of two completely different approaches to a 5k or any other system for that matter. Again, Audio systems.
It's up to the individual how much you spend on wire, whether all digital or incorporating analog. Build to your taste and see what people come up with.
I know that Bturk is more comparing amp vs speakers but let's see what people come up with. I think it's a good post and a good experiment.
Bill

[bturk667]

To me it's really more about the importance of electronics (i.e. everything except speakers) and their benefits to the sound of an entire system than just speakers and their benefits.

[jbangelfish]

We take a very similar approach. We just disagree to some extent on choice of components, same idea though. I would still be interested in comparing a couple of amps you don't care for to yours. Could be interesting.
Bill

[bturk667]

While I was looking for an amp, I auditioned NAD, Rotel, Adcom, B&K, Bryston, McCormack, Marsh and Sunfire. I narrowed my choices to the Sunfire, Bryston, Marsh and McCormack. In the end I chose the McCormack because of it's warmth and smooth midrange. I also got a pretty good deal on it. I however could have lived with any of them.

I'm always willing to try something new when it comes to amps. So, give me some low cost alternatives, or any others for that matter. Just so you know, Last time I did any serious amp auditioning was about four years ago.