Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!info-high-audio-request
From: uwm!decwrl!cae780!donald@mps.ohio-state.edu (Donald Maffly)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Suggestions for a Novice?
Message-ID: <7665@uwm.edu>
Date: 15 Nov 90 14:55:04 GMT
Sender: news@uwm.edu
Lines: 45
Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

I was in a similar situation to you about a year ago.  I'd suggest that
before you go out and blow the 4K, do some reading up, and alot
of auditioning.  If you can find the components you want on the
used market you can probably get away with spending less than
2K.

On a 4K budget, I'd go with B&K or Adcom separates (i.e amp
and pre-amp).  You could expect to spend just 1K in that department, and have
3K left over.  I like the Denon CD players, although I've never
heard of the 2560.  Don't you mean the 1560?  It's very detailed compared
to the others I've heard.  They do, however, have a cold analytical typically
Japanese sound.  The Sony ES series players supposedly sound 
a bit warmer, and they are just as detailed.  The new Sony ES (is it
the 55??) is a one-bit player (the latest DA technolog) but I don't
think it has a digital out (which is important if you want to upgrade
later with an outboard DA converter).  The Harman Kardon one-bit players
are good, too.  They are detailed, AND warm.  A true budget audiophile player 
player would be the new Mod Squad, or the Adcom.  
So say another 750-1000  on a CD player.

This leaves you with about 2K on speakers.
There are such big differences in the sound of Speakers that
you should really go out there and spend a few weeks, if not months
auditioning different models.  Don't just go on hearsay.
KEF has a good reputation as  a speaker maker, but I believe they
are a British make -- meaning that you will be paying more for them
than you would at for an American make at the same quality level.

American makes that I'd suggest you listen to are:
 
Vandersteens 2ci -- at $1100 dollars is known for making good deep bass.
Theil 1, -- $1200  -- very articulate in the highs
Spica Angelus -- $1300 great imaging, but not alot of deep bass


The Audio Anarchist column in Stereophile did a comarison of these
three models within the last year.

Also the
Theil 2.5 -- $2400 -- proabably like the Theil 1 but with more bass.

So we are talking 3K, which gives you 1K left over to buy some
good source material, or for a turntable or various tweaking items.

-- Donald Maffly