Hi all, new member here~

[Chamai]

Just going to introduce myself a little here.

My name is Arthur and I am 23 and I have been playing the piano since I was 4 and played various instruments such as drums, flute, electric guitar and bass too. I know this is not a music forum but I just want to say that I know how instruments sound like and I know what kind of sound I am looking for. Few months ago for some reason, I just realize that I have been playing so much music, but never really sat down to enjoy music. I almost never read any audio and video magazines or anything like that. I do have some surround sound bundle system that came with my flat screen tv's. Those are crap ofcourse. i had to replace the speakers with my old school technics floor standing speakers because they sucked so much. So right now, I just play with EQ and make the best of whatever I have.

So here is what I have planned out. I am going to go to some stores next week and just walk around and try out different setups. I plan on building a home theatre system that allows me to listen to stereo music, watch movies.

I know how CD's are made and how much compression is used when a CD is made. So I am not trying to bring out the natural sound of the CD because everything is compressed like hell already. I want my system to give me some option of fiddling with EQ's.

CD mixes always sound really FLAT, and one-dimensional to me. To me, tube amps tend to give more dimension to the mix when I listen to vocals and piano music. It also gives the tone more warmth imo. Maybe I don't know what I am talking about but thats what I hear. So I am going to start looking at tubes first rather than SS I am going for the pre amp/amp route ofcourse. So I am looking for a setup that gives me a lot of options to fiddle around with EQ.

As for the CD player, I am going to need some help with this. I really don't know whats the difference between a cheap one vs an expensive one. My uncle sells a lot of high end audio gear, but he is pretty biased so thats why I need you guys to help me heh.

Speakers is probably going to be just as hard in choosing the amps because I have to try them paired with the amps at the same time. Or else I am really playing with luck here.

As for SUBS, all I am asking for is accurate response time and smooth.

So as for the sound I am looking for. I am looking for warmth, and dimension. I want feel as close to the music as I can if that makes any sense. I know how the music sound largely depend of the final mix of the CD, but I want to achieve that "live sound." When I close my eyes, I DON'T want to know that the music is coming out of speakers.

also, if i want to hook up additional speakers for a 5.1 setup, what do I need?


as for budget. I think around $14000 CAD. I am pretty flexible as long as it is worth it. Again, I am a noob when it comes to audio gear.

EDIT- i listen to, pop, pop rock, classical, metal, death metal. the room is just a regular living room with wooden tile floor. walls are dry wall. i live in Canada so everything is made out of wood. haha

this system ofcourse will be hooked up to the TV. I also have computer and PS3 hooked up to it too.


thanks guys.