I never thought I'd be without tubes. It's all I've ever owned. Cary Audio, VTL, CJ, Sonic Frontiers, Hovland, etc...at some point they all seemed make their rounds in my house. However, when the opportunity to purchase a pair of Jeff Rowland Design Model 6 mono-block amps came up, I jumped and never looked back! My very first solid state amps, and I couldn't be happier. I've paired them with a Muse Model 3 Signature Edition pre-amp, and an Electrocompaniet CD player, all driving Harbeth 7ES2 monitors. I'm done...



...for now!

sure... but he said $2k, right?

That's for everything? Do you listen to vinyl? or CDs? Do you want to hear FM radio?

IF it is CD only - then just buy a CD player, amp and stereo speakers. You can get very nice sound for $2k in used equipment, I wouldn't call it high end sound (there, each "box" will be about $2k). I might devote $800 or even more to the speakers. See if you can find used Vandersteen or Magneplanar speakers.

Adcom or Nad, or find an old apt amp or pre-amp. Those are quality brands and reliable, no fuss. They are not however, anywhere near the bleeding edge.

As mentioned, Audiogon is a great resource. Athough, good (local) deals pop up on CL from time to time as well.

Here are a bunch in your neck of the woods:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/718211546.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/715510152.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/717322027.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/712959388.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/720747826.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/720707121.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/718545314.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/721121054.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/719139797.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ele/718330625.html

Good "bang for buck"? Try a nice old G.A.S. "Son of Ampzilla" paired with say, a PS Audio 4.5 or an NAD 1020 as your preamp (or build a Bottlehead Foreplay). Want tubes you can "grow" with? Get an old Dynaco Stereo70 then mod it to taste (i.e: Audio Research or VanAlstine). All of these are available at reasonable prices!

+1

Specifically the reduced resolution of 99% of the mp3 files out there is the weak link.

I can't fathom for the life of me why people would either (1) convert their entire music collection to low-res mp3s (lower than the original media anyway) or (2) spend a fortune on high-end audio components just to play low-res files. It's like buying a $3,000 HDTV to play old grainy VHS tapes recorded in SLP mode.

I do like my mp3s, but they're all recorded in maximum resolution. When I actually want to load 'em up on my player, I create a lower resolution version so I can pack more into memory - with the understanding that they're for simple listening, not necessarily high-end audio appreciation. The "masters" never get downgraded.

The phrase "polishing a turd" comes to mind for some reason. . .

I've had the Adcom GFA1A for about 15 years . I had it tweaked at the factory about 8 years
ago. Really love this amp ! get one... send it in for upgrades, about $300.00? you'll have
a bullet proof killer amp for pretty cheap !

Check audioadvisor.com. They'll have a range of CD players, integrated or separate amps within you budget. I would plan on spending close to half on speakers. Don't buy those mail order unless you've heard them and know you will like them (or they have a return policy). Buy the speakers YOU like best- not what your buddy likes or someone else recommends.

Just picked up some very nice Bang & Olufsen stuff on CraigsList. Worth keeping an eye there.

89911, I agree so much. I dumped my Sirius and XM radio because the sound was worse than both CDs and HD FM radio. I finally bought an ipod (the cheap one) on a whim 2 days ago, and I'm thinking about dumping it too, now.

How does one make max resolution mp3 files, and can I put them on the ipod ( I don't care about capacity. Quality is everything)?

and isn't there a Bang and Olufsen outlet store in Gilroy?

I'd say don't get rid of your gear though, you'll regret it.

Dynaco tube preamps are awesome. I'd look at NAD amps on ebay, 2100's sound sweet and are cheap. Those and a set of Ohm Walsh's or Maggies and you'd be on your way for less than a grand.

You can record in itunes "apple losseless" http://www.neilturner.me.uk/2004/05/09/apple_lossless_encoder.html which results in no degredation of sound quality. The downside is the amount of hard drive and time it takes to record. You would need a very large ipod (40-80gb) to store much music. You are right about XM radio quality. Although digital and mostly static free, the stereo separation and bandwidth really stinks. I'd place it below cassette tape quality.

Let me be the 157th person in line to say $2k isn't going to get you into high end audio. Not even a toe-hold. If you really must stay under $2K, consider a good set of headphones, a source unit and some amplifiication. Or, start selling off your wife's shoes on eBay to raise Sufficient Funds.

My advice would be to throw anything that plays mp3 files into the nearest pond. Forget radio, too.

Figure out if you want to play CDs or vinyl and get used to the fact that occasionally you will have to get up to change the things. You'll need to get up once in a while to fetch more beer/wine/doritos and to pee, anyway.

Don't lose sight of the fact that if you don't have a decent room in which to listen to a system, you might as well stop right here. This is maybe the hardest part for most people. Since you live in the bay area, where housing costs are off the charts, I am not optimistic. Since you have a wife also, I fear that you will be limited in where you can put this stuff. The average female thinks of high end audio gear scattered through a house to be as desirable as cockroaches. Good luck, here.

Wander down to the local library and track down some back issues of Sterophile magazine and a copy of the latest Orion Blue Book on audio. Each year Stereophile publishes a summary of their recommended components. Look at each summary for the last 10 years or so. Orion will give you an idea of what they'll cost. Figure out what you want and then look on eBay, Audiogon, etc.

Good luck,
JR