Your practical Dream System - $50K limit

[sqlsavior]

As for me, listening to music provides lots of emotional satisfaction and soothes the soul. My passion is a life long one.

So, what would you be listening to if you were limited to $50K?

 

[E-Stat]

So, what would you be listening to if you were limited to $50K?

Since my speakers run that alone today, I would wait for finding a good preowned example. And accept a slightly lesser version like the M1. Audiogon has a pre-PX core one for sale now:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...atic-speakers-m-1-black-pair-27048-full-range

Then add about $10k for new cores. Prolly could reproduce most of my current system on the used market for the difference.

 

[sqlsavior]

@E-Stat , that looks like a nice pair. Not sure what "new cores" or PX cores are.

Anyone, here's an exceptional high-end speaker bargain, right on our own site, in a place I never look...

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...eldon-stokes-available-for-demo-2-200.924291/

Somebody really needs to snap those up, IMO!

 

[E-Stat]

@E-Stat Not sure what "new cores" or PX cores are.

In Sound Lab speak, the core is the panel and the design has evolved over the years. The more rugged Professional eXtension design was introduced around 2006 and has been replaced recently by the Bass Focus models.

You may note the multiple segments found in a Sound Lab panel. A single diaphragm is used but bonded to an arc shaped grid which provides controlled directivity and minimizes inherent resonances. With previous models, the segments got smaller as you moved upwards. The Bass Focus is somewhat like an MTM approach in that segments are tallest at both top and bottom and shorter as you move towards the center. This improves bass sensitivity while still distributing the resonance. Here you see Brett assembling the grid and behind him you can see a U-1PXF prior to having the grill installed.



Thanks for the link, but I prefer true line sources for a natural presentation of image height and find myself "listening down" to various Quads. What I particularly like about the U-1PX is the sound field changes very little as you move about the room. As line sources, volume drops in a linear manner instead of an exponential one with distance. Since they a true full range design, what you hear across any part of the panel is identical whether from the front or rear, sitting or standing. Your 57s employ a monopole tweeter in the middle flanked by two larger dipolar panels that handle lower frequencies. Later versions use multiples of identical size panels.

 

[sqlsavior]

Thanks for the link, but I prefer true line sources for a natural presentation of image height and find myself "listening down" to various Quads.

The link was more for other 'stat fanciers. Piquet or PK-restored Quads used to go for $4K, when he was active and responsive, so I think that $2.2K for these Stokes-restored ones might just be a screamin' deal. No affiliation, and as with any used 'stats, a listen in person is required, IMO.

Thanks for the photo and explanation of the 'cores' - it makes sense. I've no doubt that your setup sounds amazing, and would love to hear it someday.

As for myself, I fixed the 'listening down' problem by putting mine on stilts! The resulting look actually made my wife approve of them, whereas the cinder-blocks under the original legs did not help. I'm satisfied with my presentation in every way, although it is no doubt different from yours. One interesting feature is that when I stand up, and so are then 'listening down' to them again, the depth dimension is laid out before before me, in an astonishing 3-D effect. When I told a couple of guests who were listening standing up that to get the full effect they had to sit in 'the throne', one replied "We're getting quite an effect right here." I have come to realize what he meant.

 

[E-Stat]

As for myself, I fixed the 'listening down' problem by putting mine on stilts! The resulting look actually made my wife approve of them, whereas the cinder-blocks under the original legs did not help.

When I visited Kent McCollum of Electrostatic Systems last year, the pair he had recently rebuilt was likewise elevated. I think that helped for sure. Sounded nice driven by an Audio Research REF75.

While mine are the 7' model, SL also makes them in 8' and 9' versions for larger rooms The additional panel area adds to bass response and output capability. Mine is a 90 degree version, but there are also 22 and 45 degree models that can be used in arrays due to their controlled directivity. For several years at RMAF, Ray Kimber demonstrated his recordings using triple 922s in front and doubles in rear.

Click here for some pics of an incredible system .

 

[SomeGeoffGuy]

I guy nearby me in Michigan has a set of Mcintosh XRT-30's, two MC1201's, and a C2200 preamp. I think I could live with that! He has had it listed on craigslist and ebay literally for over two years. I think he is asking too much for the speakers, but man would that make a nice system!

-Geoff

 

[tom67]

Basic Mac systems with receiver and CD player.....add some Salk HT1s and thats all I need. Receiver has USB for streaming which I use more as time passes

 

[musichal]

Okay, so I hit the lottery and donated tons-of-mon to charity and can spend $50K on audio...

I'd just as soon keep my integrated amp

Mark Levinson No. 585 Int-amp...........$12,000 (New, I bought used)
Monitor Audio Platinum PL-300....... ....$16,000
Dual SVS SB3000 Subwoofers............$2,000
McIntosh MR-87 AM-FM Tuner.............$5000
Cables...................................................$5000

 

[Wildcat]

That Levinson is sweet!

 

[visman]

This would be the center piece in my dream system - ARC Reference 160S approx. $20K

 

[xero-D-hero]

Hmmmm,I guess I'll bite.

Mine:
Speakers ATC SCM150ASL (Pro) ~ $23k in stock @ Sweetwater.
Preamp ATC CA2 ~ $3.5k.
Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 Transport ~ $3k.
Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC ~ $6.5k.
Technics SL-1200G Turntable ~ $4k.
Luxman E-250 Phono Pre ~ $2.5k.

Misc -
$2k +/- for a cartridge for the Technics TT (I would need to investigate this one).
Figure $1k +/- or so for cables (I'd use Mogami for the audio cables / power ???).

I'd need a silverface tuner too,likely vintage ~ fully restored and such,so let's say another $1k +/- here.
Say maybe a Kenwood KT-8300 all tarted up ???

That gets me close to $50k ($46.5k if my math does'nt fail me here,LOL).
So I guess the rest would go for something like a nice stand from Salamander or ???
And some nice sturdy stands for those big ATC's too...
That would likely get me to just under the $50k budget here.



Bret P.

 

[halkaloogie]

For a $50k dream system, I'd build myself a dedicated treated and tuned room. If I did all the work myself I'd be able to get it done for just about that price. Then just use what I already have.

 

[Nixxuz]

Avantgarde Duo XD - $40,000

Line Magnetic LM-512CA Tube Preamp+LM-503PA Dual Monoblocks - $10,000

I'd find a source floating around somewhere. I'd run a phone and a $60 FX Audio DAC X6 into that setup and not be too unhappy.