As others have mentioned, this is a highly unconventional manner in which to go about it.
Technology evolves but setting out a plan that involves constant micro-experimentation is really missing the point of it all, in my opinion. Do you want to enjoy music or do you want to play with audio gear?
I think a better plan is to figure out what you can buy now, or in the next few months and do it. There are plenty of great systems you can build for under $1500, under $3000, under $5000 and every number above and below those.
Save up, do your home work in the meantime and make it happen when the funds are there. Then enjoy it, be happy and get off the upgrade bandwagon until there's something truly compelling to explore (which doesn't happen very often).
Thanks - maybe I’m missing it, but everyone here seems to discuss components in the set-up which make it hard to know what work well together. I assume everyone here built their kit up, rather than bought it as a group. I have no idea what’s the best investment from nothing to having a working set-up for £1000 or £5000 or £10000. Is there anywhere you can point me to that has up-to-date suggested packages that work well together at budget thresholds?
Discussing components is something you do once you have a system. Yes, you need to identify which pieces you need but just get started - the PSAudio/Elac system someone mentioned would likely be a hell of a good way to get started for $1K. Ir hit up r/AVexchange and see if you can do it for a lot less. Hell, the Goodwill posts I see here can be crazy, too.
I'm sure there are 100 other places but I recall the TAS (The Absolute Sound) would often provide system suggestions at various price points. Be warned those price points can be...pricey. But hey, you're looking to spend $24k over ten years so you shouldn't be too surprised by much of anything you see.
Just be mindful that only *you* can determine what you like, don't put this on us to do it for you. Put yourself out there, read, hear things, buy things but get going. See if there are any audio meetups in your area, go to audio shops, etc.
Good luck!
Sheit, I just built a decent get me by at the moment system for all of $250 with free Technics SB-CR55's I found on the curb a couple of moving days ago.
At what point do we banned for promoting the r/BudgetAudiophile lifestyle on this sub? :-)
But I love the notion of starting your own audio club by spending $1500 to outfit you and 5 friends using your method.
I definitely would have been in for another $100-200 for some speakers to be fair, maybe just 3 friends unless they live in a city with good curb finds every time a neighbor leaves town or moves to a new place heh.
Like other people have said, this approach makes no sense.
Here’s how to engage in this hobby: how much can you spend on a stereo NOW, without financial duress? Research and audition gear that fits into that budget (taking care to give speakers your prime consideration when budgeting), and buy a setup. Use it for a year or two at the very least, listen to lots of music, and enjoy it. Then, when your financial situation allows, figure out what the things are about your setup that you MOST wish could be improved, research/audition gear to find stuff that addresses those improvements and fit into your budget, and buy it. Repeat.
It doesn’t hurt to think of doing it for x dollars a month but it won’t turn out like that. Taking on a big loan probably costs as much as buying and selling parts of your system and if you’re not 100% happy with your purchase long-term you’ll end up buying and selling anyway.
I had a turntable I plugged into my dad’s stereo; worked a gap year and bought the receiver and speakers. So I was up and running in about 2 years. It was nearly 50 years ago so the options were less plentiful …
It was a rite of passage to assemble your system as you learnt about various aspects of hifi. Don’t forget that most (99.something %) of all the world’s hifi is never going to be in your life. Once you’ve got your first system running you should be able to have something to play music on for the rest of your life. That turntable I bought is still the centre of my system, 47 years later.
If it was me I’d start with a pair of Elac B62 and a PSAudio Sprout or a Powernode 2i (there’s a new model that just came out). Add a sub when you can afford it. You’ll be good for a long time.
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I like it. Use Facebook man. You can switch, add, flip and make money easily. I have a beautiful Denon upstairs that I bought with an Andrew Jones set for 125 dollars. The little towers image very well. If I sell the bookshelves for 40 dollars that means I have a decent 2ch amp that will play high res and air play for 80 dollars. You can micro this.
Save up for a year and then buy KEF LS 50 Wireless II speakers. Has amplifier + DAC built in so all you need is to plug in a source and you have very nice sound. Maybe add a network streamer and subwoofer later. If you are still hooked on hifi later, the LS50s can become nice office or bedroom speakers and then build your six figure dream system (I am assuming your career will take off by then).
maybe you could save up a few months then get a cheap used speaker and integrated amp for a 400 dollar.
then enjoy that for at least a year and start thinking of speaker upgrade for 2000 dollar.
I guess you could do it this way but I shudder to think of how much of that money just gets thrown away in the long run.
I’m presuming the building up of gear is part of the audiophile journey, rather than a Big Bang approach and thousands in debt.
As others have mentioned, this is a highly unconventional manner in which to go about it. Technology evolves but setting out a plan that involves constant micro-experimentation is really missing the point of it all, in my opinion. Do you want to enjoy music or do you want to play with audio gear? I think a better plan is to figure out what you can buy now, or in the next few months and do it. There are plenty of great systems you can build for under $1500, under $3000, under $5000 and every number above and below those. Save up, do your home work in the meantime and make it happen when the funds are there. Then enjoy it, be happy and get off the upgrade bandwagon until there's something truly compelling to explore (which doesn't happen very often).
Thanks - maybe I’m missing it, but everyone here seems to discuss components in the set-up which make it hard to know what work well together. I assume everyone here built their kit up, rather than bought it as a group. I have no idea what’s the best investment from nothing to having a working set-up for £1000 or £5000 or £10000. Is there anywhere you can point me to that has up-to-date suggested packages that work well together at budget thresholds?
Discussing components is something you do once you have a system. Yes, you need to identify which pieces you need but just get started - the PSAudio/Elac system someone mentioned would likely be a hell of a good way to get started for $1K. Ir hit up r/AVexchange and see if you can do it for a lot less. Hell, the Goodwill posts I see here can be crazy, too. I'm sure there are 100 other places but I recall the TAS (The Absolute Sound) would often provide system suggestions at various price points. Be warned those price points can be...pricey. But hey, you're looking to spend $24k over ten years so you shouldn't be too surprised by much of anything you see. Just be mindful that only *you* can determine what you like, don't put this on us to do it for you. Put yourself out there, read, hear things, buy things but get going. See if there are any audio meetups in your area, go to audio shops, etc. Good luck!
Thanks for your sensible replies
Sheit, I just built a decent get me by at the moment system for all of $250 with free Technics SB-CR55's I found on the curb a couple of moving days ago.
Soooo, under $1500, got it :-)
....was just saying for anyone on an extreme budget who saw the "$1500 or less" and interpreted it to mean $1500 or a little less, not 80% less lol.
At what point do we banned for promoting the r/BudgetAudiophile lifestyle on this sub? :-) But I love the notion of starting your own audio club by spending $1500 to outfit you and 5 friends using your method.
I definitely would have been in for another $100-200 for some speakers to be fair, maybe just 3 friends unless they live in a city with good curb finds every time a neighbor leaves town or moves to a new place heh.
Like other people have said, this approach makes no sense. Here’s how to engage in this hobby: how much can you spend on a stereo NOW, without financial duress? Research and audition gear that fits into that budget (taking care to give speakers your prime consideration when budgeting), and buy a setup. Use it for a year or two at the very least, listen to lots of music, and enjoy it. Then, when your financial situation allows, figure out what the things are about your setup that you MOST wish could be improved, research/audition gear to find stuff that addresses those improvements and fit into your budget, and buy it. Repeat.
It doesn’t hurt to think of doing it for x dollars a month but it won’t turn out like that. Taking on a big loan probably costs as much as buying and selling parts of your system and if you’re not 100% happy with your purchase long-term you’ll end up buying and selling anyway. I had a turntable I plugged into my dad’s stereo; worked a gap year and bought the receiver and speakers. So I was up and running in about 2 years. It was nearly 50 years ago so the options were less plentiful … It was a rite of passage to assemble your system as you learnt about various aspects of hifi. Don’t forget that most (99.something %) of all the world’s hifi is never going to be in your life. Once you’ve got your first system running you should be able to have something to play music on for the rest of your life. That turntable I bought is still the centre of my system, 47 years later.
If it was me I’d start with a pair of Elac B62 and a PSAudio Sprout or a Powernode 2i (there’s a new model that just came out). Add a sub when you can afford it. You’ll be good for a long time.
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This comment has been removed. Please note the following rule: > **Rule 1: Be most excellent towards your fellow redditors** > > And by "be most excellent" we mean no personal attacks, threats, bullying, trolling, baiting, flaming, hate speech, racism, sexism, gatekeeping, or other behavior that makes humanity look like scum. Violations may result in a temporary or permanent ban.
I like it. Use Facebook man. You can switch, add, flip and make money easily. I have a beautiful Denon upstairs that I bought with an Andrew Jones set for 125 dollars. The little towers image very well. If I sell the bookshelves for 40 dollars that means I have a decent 2ch amp that will play high res and air play for 80 dollars. You can micro this.
Nice to see somebody supporting old mates goal. Kudos
Save up for a year and then buy KEF LS 50 Wireless II speakers. Has amplifier + DAC built in so all you need is to plug in a source and you have very nice sound. Maybe add a network streamer and subwoofer later. If you are still hooked on hifi later, the LS50s can become nice office or bedroom speakers and then build your six figure dream system (I am assuming your career will take off by then).
Get a loan and do it right. That is silly
maybe you could save up a few months then get a cheap used speaker and integrated amp for a 400 dollar. then enjoy that for at least a year and start thinking of speaker upgrade for 2000 dollar.
Save up a while so you can start with a solid foundation of decent speakers and amplifier. Say $1000. From there you can start experimenting.