Long story... long: I am wanting to up my stereo game over the next several months.
There are a million sources of information online, and only one or two stores in the nearest city where I can ask questions. This leads to much confusion. I find too many alternating viewpoints on almost any specific subject online, and I get what seems like very partisan opinions at the two good stores in the city, where they (of course) only recommend products they happen to sell.
I have some dumb questions, some possibly dumb preferences, and a willingness to understand my needs and not get too 'sold' on any one school of thought.
I also understand I'm overthinking things. So, here's some point form information first.
- I've always appreciated good audio equipment, but I've never owned any. I've been living with a 100 watt Pioneer amp for 25 years, original value 300 bucks, and a pair of large-ish bookshelf Paradigm speakers (bought for around 400) for about 10 years. So i've had... somewhat 'big' sound, but grossly inaccurate, lacking bottom and top, with muddled mids for years. It's better than a crappy bookshelf system, but I'm done with this level.
- I only have to fill one medium size living room. It's not a big space. But I like it loud.
- I refuse to buy systems with multiple splits off the amp for surround / multi-speaker systems. I strictly want stereo / dual-mono amp, and two speakers (okay, possibly a system using a remote subwoofer, but I'd prefer speakers with a big enough driver).
- For now, I only want an amp and two speakers. I can grow from there. I got rid of all my media (CDs and tapes) ages ago, I'll just use a bluetooth jack into the amp's CD line in from my phone and use Spotify at highest audio resolution. That's what I do now. I do have vinyl, however I can't afford a good turntable yet.
- Budget is around 2,000. If it's not a 50/50 split on price amp vs. speakers, I'd rather spend most on the amp and improve the speakers later. (is that a dumb choice?)
- I don't want to buy new equipment. Dangerous, I know, but the savings are massive, especially for amps, less so for speakers in my price range. There are a couple of very reputable 2nd hand dealers in Canada, I'll buy from them and pay the premium for refurbished, because I just don't trust the e-bay - type market for equipment like this. (Am I wrong? Is the premium a store charges for inspected used equipment worth it? Should I just buy the speakers new, considering I'm only going to spend around a thousand?)
- I'm slightly in love with older McIntosh tube amps. Is it possible to get a 10-30 year old tube amp in good condition for around a thousand? The 2nd hand market seems very confusing here.
- Am I an idiot for wanting a tube amp? I've heard the difference they make, I like the look, I know I can get tube phono pre-amps for a few hundred, but are they worth it (in your opinion, I understand)? Is the warmth 'real' in your mind? I admit it; I think they look cool and kinda want them for the look, but I believe (much weaker argument) they sound good. But maybe they don't work with my music preference...
-... which runs from EDM, electronica, real thumpy shit, through to a lot of jazz, to chamber music, punk, and hard rock. I want to build a system that can work with those demands. I want to feel base drum hits, and I want violins to flow, and I know these are in opposition, but I'm not an audio freak... I don't want two different 50,000 dollar systems. I want to start with about two grand worth of just two base components, of some age, but of excellent quality.
All opinions welcome
