Vivek Batra
Well-Known Member
Hi FMs
I know this is going to be a long post. Sorry for that. I feel that it would help people to understand my goal and the problems I had with my last system hence a long story. I have faced a lot of difficulties during my journey, so kinda once bitten twice shy situation with me .
Very brief background, I started my journey around 6 to 7 months ago. My goal was to set up a 2.1 channel system but ended up buying Klipsch RP-8000F, R -115 SW with Denon x4500H. With in the first 2 weeks I realized this was not what I wanted.
Now, I am starting from scratch with only Klipsch R-115 SW with me and Fortes on order. I'll try to explain with my little knowledge what I am expecting and what I felt was missing in my previous system.
Why I was unhappy with my previous system
1. Mid frequencies were not very prominent. Highs were overpowering Lows and mids both. Denon + Klipsch sounded harsh and lean to me.
2. I prefer to listen at low volume levels and the sound was kinda flat at low volumes. say at -35 to -30 db.
3. Not much dynamic. Though some very nice recordings were close to optimum level of the equipment but not all tracks sounded great.
4. Relying mostly on streaming (Spotify Premium)
5. I was big time wrong to expect every track to sound like "Hotel California or Keith Don't go". I think the biggest cause of dissatisfaction was this.
My expectations from the new system
1. Crisp and detailed sound.
2. Instrument separation that can be felt at all volume levels, not at ear bleeding levels of course.
3. Large sound stage to fill my living room of 20*18.
4. Not too complicated in terms of setup.
Now coming to what I want to buy (Brand New)
I have planned to add equipment in phases first phase being the bare minimum purchase to get me going and then keep on adding as required or budget allows. My budget for the phase 1 is around 4 Lacs less the better.
Phase 1
1. Network Transport preferably not a player that could handle online streaming, input from laptop may be external HDD or USB drive that would be an advantage.
2. External DAC. I see an advantage of spending money on an external DAC.
3. I have toned down my requirement from Pre + Power to Integrated amp for the moment, but still open to both options. I am not aware if there is any integrated amp with Pre Outs so that I could add a power amplifier in future? Since I have Klipsch sub with me so I am looking for an amp that has sub out(s) or some mechanism to allow sub woofer in the system e.g. 2.1 channel
I guess these 3 components are bare minimum to get me going. I do not have any CD collection so I am relying on some FLAC files and streaming options for the time being.
Phase 2 (With in next 6 months)
1. Universal disc transport
2. Interconnects
Since I'll be using an external DAC, and if some money can be saved then definitely a Transport. My notion is that if a single DAC is feeding the pre amplifier taking inputs from Disc/Network transport then the digital to anlouge converstion will be same irrespective of source rather than using multiple DACs in the system.
Phase 3 (Not very soon)
1. Turntable
2. AM/FM Tuner I am a regular FM listener.
My choice of music
I like to listen old English classical, jazz, country, ghazals and old hindi songs. So warmth and details are I don't want to compromise with.
My humble request to all the members, I would like to know why you would recommend Brand A over Brand B, I would gain some more knowledge by knowing what to look for when looking for an amplifier or any other equipment.
I think talking about all the equipment in one go won’t be a good idea, so may be to start withlets talk about Amplifier(s).
Thanks a lot for all your support always.
I know this is going to be a long post. Sorry for that. I feel that it would help people to understand my goal and the problems I had with my last system hence a long story. I have faced a lot of difficulties during my journey, so kinda once bitten twice shy situation with me .
Very brief background, I started my journey around 6 to 7 months ago. My goal was to set up a 2.1 channel system but ended up buying Klipsch RP-8000F, R -115 SW with Denon x4500H. With in the first 2 weeks I realized this was not what I wanted.
Now, I am starting from scratch with only Klipsch R-115 SW with me and Fortes on order. I'll try to explain with my little knowledge what I am expecting and what I felt was missing in my previous system.
Why I was unhappy with my previous system
1. Mid frequencies were not very prominent. Highs were overpowering Lows and mids both. Denon + Klipsch sounded harsh and lean to me.
2. I prefer to listen at low volume levels and the sound was kinda flat at low volumes. say at -35 to -30 db.
3. Not much dynamic. Though some very nice recordings were close to optimum level of the equipment but not all tracks sounded great.
4. Relying mostly on streaming (Spotify Premium)
5. I was big time wrong to expect every track to sound like "Hotel California or Keith Don't go". I think the biggest cause of dissatisfaction was this.
My expectations from the new system
1. Crisp and detailed sound.
2. Instrument separation that can be felt at all volume levels, not at ear bleeding levels of course.
3. Large sound stage to fill my living room of 20*18.
4. Not too complicated in terms of setup.
Now coming to what I want to buy (Brand New)
I have planned to add equipment in phases first phase being the bare minimum purchase to get me going and then keep on adding as required or budget allows. My budget for the phase 1 is around 4 Lacs less the better.
Phase 1
1. Network Transport preferably not a player that could handle online streaming, input from laptop may be external HDD or USB drive that would be an advantage.
2. External DAC. I see an advantage of spending money on an external DAC.
3. I have toned down my requirement from Pre + Power to Integrated amp for the moment, but still open to both options. I am not aware if there is any integrated amp with Pre Outs so that I could add a power amplifier in future? Since I have Klipsch sub with me so I am looking for an amp that has sub out(s) or some mechanism to allow sub woofer in the system e.g. 2.1 channel
I guess these 3 components are bare minimum to get me going. I do not have any CD collection so I am relying on some FLAC files and streaming options for the time being.
Phase 2 (With in next 6 months)
1. Universal disc transport
2. Interconnects
Since I'll be using an external DAC, and if some money can be saved then definitely a Transport. My notion is that if a single DAC is feeding the pre amplifier taking inputs from Disc/Network transport then the digital to anlouge converstion will be same irrespective of source rather than using multiple DACs in the system.
Phase 3 (Not very soon)
1. Turntable
2. AM/FM Tuner I am a regular FM listener.
My choice of music
I like to listen old English classical, jazz, country, ghazals and old hindi songs. So warmth and details are I don't want to compromise with.
My humble request to all the members, I would like to know why you would recommend Brand A over Brand B, I would gain some more knowledge by knowing what to look for when looking for an amplifier or any other equipment.
I think talking about all the equipment in one go won’t be a good idea, so may be to start withlets talk about Amplifier(s).
Thanks a lot for all your support always.
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). My listening room (living room) is 18x21 and have some 'acoustic treatment' in form of heavy curtain and a wall of bookshelf (which kind of act like a disperser).
