Beginning
This section of the site contains information for those who are interested in learning something very basic about high-end audio. It contains, for example, an answer to the question, What Is High-End Audio? It also contains some suggestions about how one can begin one's involvement with this particular hobby; a guide to some of the lingo one hears used by audiophiles; and some discussion of the various pieces of an audio system.
Let me say straight-off that 'high-end' does not have to mean expensive: Although one can spend an enormous amount of money on a truly phenomenal system, high-end is more about an attitude than it is about money: The goal is to get the best possible musical reproduction, given one's budget. It is more than possible to put together a musically satisfying system for less than one thousand dollars, and to do it with all new equipment. If one is prepared to buy some of one's equipment used, as I often do, one can put together an excellent system for far less.
I've decided not to make any specific recommendations here about manufacturers. For one thing, I lack relevant expertise. For another, who cares what I think? But most importantly, such advice is best given by a knowledgeable friend or dealer who can discuss specific needs, desires, and budget. But I will record here what has been part of various sytems I've had over the years, for illustration.
The first is what was my bedroom system maybe five years ago. I regard it as very solid: Though it has its flaws, immediately obvious in comparison with a better system, music played on it sounds like music, and that's what matters.
| Marantz PM-57 Integrated Amplifier (bought new) | $250 |
| NAD 512 CD Player (bought new) | $250 |
| Kenwood KT-615 Tuner (used; new $400) | $70 |
| Paradigm Titan Loudspeakers (demo) | $150 |
| Premiere Speaker Stands | $75 |
| Audioquest F-14 Speaker Wire; two ten foot runs | $15 |
| Audioquest Ruby Interconnects; 2 1m pieces (used) | $50 |
| TOTAL | $860 |
It would have been possible to save a good bit of money here had I bought a used amp: I've long lusted after an old NAD 4020, and once even bought one (it turned out to be broken), for example; that could have saved $100 or more. I'm less inclined to buy used CD players, at this price point, as their motors tend to be a bit gimpy (and expensive to replace); I doubt I could have done too much better on the speakers, either. Still, we're looking at a very decent system for well less than $1000.
Here is another 'affordable' system, which produces quite astonishing sound for the money. It has the disadvantage that it's CD-only: The Creek OBH-10 has but one input. But if, as many people do, you just listen to CDs, you're just wasting the other inputs on your pre-amp anyway, unless for some reason you need long runs of cable, which won't do with a passive. A passive pre-amp like this one is also very transparent. Anyway, this system one comes in at about three times the price, but I'd estimate the sound is ten times as good. So we haven't hit the point of diminishing returns yet. Not nearly.
| California Audio Labs DX-2 CD Player (demo) | $300 |
| Creek OBH-10 Remote Passive Pre-amp (demo) | $175 |
| Classe Audio DR-10 Amplifier (used) | $600 |
| Thiel CS.5 Loudspeakers (demo) | $1200 |
| FMS Wave Guide Speaker Cable, two five foot runs | $60 |
| Audioquest Ruby Interconnects; 2 1m pieces (used) | $50 |
| TOTAL | $2385 |
This, as I said, is a very serious system, for $2385. Something like it could have been a fair bit cheaper, had I managed to find (say) a used pair of Thiel CS1.2s.
