TS,

Recently I have been introduced to some excellent sounding audio set ups (don't really know what the components are, but the people who when they say it is a nice system, you can take their word for it). Well since then I have decided that I want to get a stereo system for listening to audio. The problem is that I have NO idea how audio components work and pretty much have no idea what I am reading about. Ideally I would like a 2 speaker set up that produces high quality sound (not top notch audiophile, but as close as I can get). I realize this is a category that is never ending (price wise), so I am thinking all said and done ~$1600??

First and foremost I would like to play off my iPod. I have a music collection of >9000 songs, and have recently been going back and archiving a lot of my stuff from CD in lossless. Most non-lossless material is 256kbps AAC, but sadly I have OLD stuff that goes down to 128. I want to build a system where I can play my high quality music (most of which is jazz, classical, classic rock - SRV, louis armstrong, albert king, Led Zeppelin, Sinatra, rush, Stan Getz ,etc); therein lies the rub. In order to play off an iPod, to a decent system, you need DAC conversion, which is not possibly out of an iPod without expensive digital docking. So my first question - Using an iPod at lossless and just plugging it on using lineout and dual RCA jacks, what type of quality can I appreciate? Is it even worth it? I would include a DAC in my system to aid with this but the source would have to be digital, so that leaves me to using something like a sonos or digital dock - both pricey IMO. As for the sonos, being wireless is not important for this system - I can load 16 GB of lossless onto my iPod and set it up to play all night and be perfectly happy.

Well I am sure I have sounded quite inept thus far because I don't know what I'm talking about. I just want something that will sound excellent and I want everything compatible with the weakest link to maximize performance. Here were a few setups I have been contemplating:

Cambridge 650A integrated amp - $700

B&W 685 Bookshelf speaker - $640

I think that this would be a strong start, but then again, if I use a lineout adapeter/RCA (sendstation) to hook up would this be a complete waste - even on lossless? I would like something like this to be a good start, and maybe in 6m add this to improve on the connection:

Cambridge DAC with Digital iPod dock - $625

I realize that I could get a cd deck, but unless I spend for one with a DAC built in (Cambridge CA350C) it would just be outputting at a sub-optimal level, and since I don't have many cds compared with my whole music collection, that seems like something to worry about later. Moreover, I believe an external dedicated DAC would work better (and I could use with multiple sources).

Should I give up and buy this?
H&K MAS 102

Keep in mind I realize you guys can come back at me with some of your tens of thousand dollar systems. I am no audiophile but would like to start appreciated music better. Right now my nicest audio equipment are my shure SE210s, so all of this would be an improvement. Also, I just picked the cambridge stuff because the stats to my eyes seemed decent and I liked the look.

I always though McIntosh stuff looked cool (maybe someday):
McIntosh MXA60

 

As an aside. Would it be easier to get a b&w Zeppelin air? I just feel like an iPod dock can't come close to separate speakers.

 

Audiogon.com

/thread

 

^ ^
A great place to go to look at used (or sometimes new) equipment.
I'd recommend you also try some forums (eCoustics.com is one of many) and ask, letting some of the folks know what your budget and preferences are.
Yes ... it's easy to sink some considerable $$$ into audio.
All depends on what makes you smile.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the website - I like cruising audiogon, they have good stuff. I will definitely be cruising the audio forums before purchasing, but I knew there were some audio people on here that I was hoping could give some advice, especially with hooking up the ipod. (btw - I just saw my OLD minidisc player, that has a digital out!) grrr apple.

 

I have the Beolab 4000 from B&O, fantastic system! sound reproduction is good and it is also wall mountable as well.

 

sorry Beosound 8

 

Kev, did u end up narrowing it down? I may get something for our new apt.

 

Yea - my advice is to not go looking for speakers! Originally the only place that had BW speakers was Bestbuy, but then remembered the speaker store. After listening to a few setups, I went with the B&W 683 floor standers. A little overkill for my office, but next year I will put them in my living room, and when played next to the CM5 (bookshelf speakers-same price), they have a whole layer of bottom end sound that cannot be matched. Didn't like the CM8 floor standers (too bright the music sounded). The problem is that they keep showing you nicer and nicer speakers that sound better and better, they had a pair of KEF speakers, which would have been more, and on and on. Went with these 683s, a marantz integrated amp, and a marantz SACD player. I will use the SACD source for my CDs (obviously), but it has a digital in so I can use it as a DAC for my airport express (for my AIFF files on my comp). After reading dozens and dozens of hours of forum stuff and talking with people, I am happy with my decision. Some of the problem with online forums is that there are insane crazy audiophile people out there. For me this is 10000X better than I have ever heard music, but they would now recommend I buy some $450 dollar power cord to get an extra 2% better sound. Maybe when I am an attending!

Hope all is well brother.

 

The marantz sacd wasn't in stock, so I need to order it.