Home audiophiles.......I need your advice/opinion

[g4string]

I have been doing some window shopping trying to piece together a "decent" home audio system. My main source will be through my iTunes library delivered via wifi or through a direct-cable attachment via an iPod. My secondary source will be a disc through a cd/dvd/br player of sorts. Here is what I am looking at.......

Marantz MM7025 power amp....120W x's 2 channels
http://us.marantz.com/Products/3253.asp

Marantz NA7004 Network Audio Player
http://us.marantz.com/Products/3298.asp

Paradigm Monitor 9 floor speakers....1 pair
http://paradigm.com/products/paradig...ries/monitor-9

B&W 683 floor speakers
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speake...eries/683.html

Regarding the Marantz equipment....the NA7004 is the only piece I can find like it in its class. With the use of Apple's Airplay, I should be able to remotely access my iTunes library from my home computer through the NA7004. Additionally, I like the units "internet tuner" and I like that I can tune in Pandora. I dont know if the built in DAC is a gimmick....but its nice there is "something" trying to compensate for the compressed nature of the iTunes format. Both units cost $800 a piece.....so that puts my pre/power at $1600.

If there is anything I should be looking at regarding the electronics side of my system, let me know. I am new to the AV world -and- there is soooo much stuff out there that I can easily have overlooked something better, cheaper, and more suited to my needs.

Regarding speakers, I have demo'd both the B&W's and the Paradigms. My demo was not in the same store, so I have no real side-by-side comparisons, only my recollection. I found the Paradigms for about $900 a pair and the B&W's for about $1400 a pair. From what I can gather and remember, I think I liked the B&W's better than the Para's. The B&W's just seemed to have a better sound. However, from what I recall; the Para's sounded really great as well. I really wish I could do a side-by-side comparison. Additionally, I do not plan on running a sub. All I want is a pair of really good tower speakers. With that, I think (from what I can recall) the B&W's had a better low end response than the Para's. I am wondering if the B&W's are worth the extra $500 than the Para's. Again, since I am unable to audition both pairs side-by-side; it's hard to make that determination. FWIW, the B&W's are made in China and the Para's are made in CAN. I like the fact the Para's are made in CAN....

Again, if there is anything I missed regarding speakers; please let me know. I am open to any and all suggestions and or comments. My goal is to keep my price for a good system from $2000-$3000. Thanks!

[MIJ-VI]

Your Listening Room: The Most Important Component in Your Stereo System
http://stereos.about.com/od/optimizi...treatments.htm

[Jim Nazium]

IMHO, you can't go wrong with B&W speakers. I have the Nautilus 805s, and after many years and many different speakers, they are my favorites. But before I prattle on with my opinion, just note that B&W speakers are used in mastering studios all over the world, including Abbey Road Studios.

My only other comment is about the power amp. I don't think you need to spend anywhere near 8 bills for a 120 watt amp (unless you're just in love with the looks). Go to eBay and get a used Adcom GFA-555. They're built like tanks and they can be had for $200 - $300.

Enjoy your new setup! Post pics.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by g4string

I have been doing some window shopping trying to piece together a "decent" home audio system. My main source will be through my iTunes library delivered via wifi or through a direct-cable attachment via an iPod. My secondary source will be a disc through a cd/dvd/br player of sorts. Here is what I am looking at.......

Marantz MM7025 power amp....120W x's 2 channels
http://us.marantz.com/Products/3253.asp

Marantz NA7004 Network Audio Player
http://us.marantz.com/Products/3298.asp

Paradigm Monitor 9 floor speakers....1 pair
http://paradigm.com/products/paradig...ries/monitor-9

B&W 683 floor speakers
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speake...eries/683.html

Regarding the Marantz equipment....the NA7004 is the only piece I can find like it in its class. With the use of Apple's Airplay, I should be able to remotely access my iTunes library from my home computer through the NA7004. Additionally, I like the units "internet tuner" and I like that I can tune in Pandora. I dont know if the built in DAC is a gimmick....but its nice there is "something" trying to compensate for the compressed nature of the iTunes format. Both units cost $800 a piece.....so that puts my pre/power at $1600.

If there is anything I should be looking at regarding the electronics side of my system, let me know. I am new to the AV world -and- there is soooo much stuff out there that I can easily have overlooked something better, cheaper, and more suited to my needs.

Regarding speakers, I have demo'd both the B&W's and the Paradigms. My demo was not in the same store, so I have no real side-by-side comparisons, only my recollection. I found the Paradigms for about $900 a pair and the B&W's for about $1400 a pair. From what I can gather and remember, I think I liked the B&W's better than the Para's. The B&W's just seemed to have a better sound. However, from what I recall; the Para's sounded really great as well. I really wish I could do a side-by-side comparison. Additionally, I do not plan on running a sub. All I want is a pair of really good tower speakers. With that, I think (from what I can recall) the B&W's had a better low end response than the Para's. I am wondering if the B&W's are worth the extra $500 than the Para's. Again, since I am unable to audition both pairs side-by-side; it's hard to make that determination. FWIW, the B&W's are made in China and the Para's are made in CAN. I like the fact the Para's are made in CAN....

Again, if there is anything I missed regarding speakers; please let me know. I am open to any and all suggestions and or comments. My goal is to keep my price for a good system from $2000-$3000. Thanks!

your primary source is an i pod....does that mean mp3......if so why waste money on stereo gear......mp3s are kinda like reading a readers digest version of a book....the main stuff is there but the detail is gone.....speakers are best auditioned over time,but if you have to do a sound room trial,take some discs you are familiar with that will put the gear through the paces....

a lot of folks will tell you that speakers are the most important....i disagree.....a good front end will make a mediocre speaker sound better,but a good speaker can do nothing for a crap front end.....

i would look at audiogon as great used gear comes up for sale regularly .....i'm not sure i favor the new "tower" stuff.....seems like a lot of it is form over function....i'll take short and squat if it sounds good ....

if you have the time try to audition some of the tried and true gear that has been around a while....people have lived with them a while and all the strengths/weaknesses are well documented.....quality used gear that holds value can always be swapped/sold for closer to what you paid when it's time to upgrade

[DwaynieAD]

My sony stuff cranks and i got it for cheap on CL.. tried that route?

[Kosko]

I'm a big fan of Krk monitors (of course when used with a sub-woofer). You can find yourself some great deals on packages from ebay and spend around 800 for 2 RP8s and RP10, stands and cables. Gizmodo has a nice read on stereo equipment at different price points, a lot of audiogon gear on it.

Edit: Why no sub?

[mrpackerguy]

Sounds good. I've had 2 Denon receivers since 1980 that served and continue to serve me well. I mate them with Polk speakers, an older set from the early 80s, and then a center channel and two Ri50s from about 10 years ago. Together with a Velodyne sub = good stuff. Don't use the home theater system as much as I do just the stereo for Pandora, etc.

[sloasdaylight]

Originally Posted by g4string

I have been doing some window shopping trying to piece together a "decent" home audio system. My main source will be through my iTunes library delivered via wifi or through a direct-cable attachment via an iPod. My secondary source will be a disc through a cd/dvd/br player of sorts. Here is what I am looking at.......

Marantz MM7025 power amp....120W x's 2 channels
http://us.marantz.com/Products/3253.asp

Marantz NA7004 Network Audio Player
http://us.marantz.com/Products/3298.asp

Paradigm Monitor 9 floor speakers....1 pair
http://paradigm.com/products/paradig...ries/monitor-9

B&W 683 floor speakers
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speake...eries/683.html

Regarding the Marantz equipment....the NA7004 is the only piece I can find like it in its class. With the use of Apple's Airplay, I should be able to remotely access my iTunes library from my home computer through the NA7004. Additionally, I like the units "internet tuner" and I like that I can tune in Pandora. I dont know if the built in DAC is a gimmick....but its nice there is "something" trying to compensate for the compressed nature of the iTunes format. Both units cost $800 a piece.....so that puts my pre/power at $1600.

If there is anything I should be looking at regarding the electronics side of my system, let me know. I am new to the AV world -and- there is soooo much stuff out there that I can easily have overlooked something better, cheaper, and more suited to my needs.

Regarding speakers, I have demo'd both the B&W's and the Paradigms. My demo was not in the same store, so I have no real side-by-side comparisons, only my recollection. I found the Paradigms for about $900 a pair and the B&W's for about $1400 a pair. From what I can gather and remember, I think I liked the B&W's better than the Para's. The B&W's just seemed to have a better sound. However, from what I recall; the Para's sounded really great as well. I really wish I could do a side-by-side comparison. Additionally, I do not plan on running a sub. All I want is a pair of really good tower speakers. With that, I think (from what I can recall) the B&W's had a better low end response than the Para's. I am wondering if the B&W's are worth the extra $500 than the Para's. Again, since I am unable to audition both pairs side-by-side; it's hard to make that determination. FWIW, the B&W's are made in China and the Para's are made in CAN. I like the fact the Para's are made in CAN....

Again, if there is anything I missed regarding speakers; please let me know. I am open to any and all suggestions and or comments. My goal is to keep my price for a good system from $2000-$3000. Thanks!

Overkill?

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

My sony stuff cranks and i got it for cheap on CL.. tried that route?

You can't compare Sony with any of those brands he listed. Not in the same class at all.

Really, the Marantz receivers and B&W speakers are top notch. Whatever you select will be a good choice.

[link wray]

That Marantz power amp is a class better than those B&W speakers ( wich i would prefer over the paradigm speakers ). So you want the best you can get for that kind of money.
My choice would be this: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/usher3/1.html
Its a combination of monitor speakers and matching subwoofers. They won the 6moons realsization award and there are not many speakers that have had this honour.

[mmbongo]

You're overlooking one major piece of gear...the preamp. I see you have an amp, and a signal source, but not a preamp. I guess if you don't plan on hooking any other source to the amp, and if the network music player has a volume control and remote then you don't NEED the preamp, but surely you're going to hook up a CD player or something else.

Regarding speakers, it's hard to go wrong with either B&W or Paradigm. I've owned plenty of both, and I prefer Paradigm. Paradigms have a more 'alive', brighter sound, they punch you in the face more. B&W's generally have a smoother, darker, more laid back 'dry' sound. Both are great and it just depends on what you like.

[Ben Clarke]

I would expect more sonic satisfaction from an HH Scott, Fisher or similar integrated vintage tube amp and a pair of used Klipsch (anything in the Heritage line). Price of entry well under $1K, and kool factor to boot...

[link wray]

mmbongo you are right. I think i would replace the marantz equipment with this teac receiver: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/teac/2.html

[fokof]

Paradigm is very good for the money.
My ex-girlfriend had a pair ( ) and I was surprised by the quality.
I got one of their active sub (Servo 15) and I am more than satisfied.

[Philbiker]

All that gear is nice. I have B&W speakers that I bought in the late 90s - I love them. Paradigms are nice I'm sure, but I have no first hand experience with them. Based on my experience with B&W I can recommend the brand without reservation.

mmbongo makes a good point that you need a preamp.

Jim Campbell also makes a good point that if your source is lossy files you may be disappointed with the results. You mention an Itunes library - are you ripping your own sources using Apple lossless encoding?

[Randall]

Energy is another good quality Canadian made speaker. I agree with the ipod statement. Crap in = Crap out.

[Selta]

Garbage in, garbage out, that's all I have to say right now...

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

That should be quite decent if you set up the loudspeakers and your listening room well. If you rip your own program material from CDs or other high-quality sources, opt for lossless compression. If you have to use mp3 files, select high bitrate ones (i.e., 256 kbps) if you have a choice. Playback from low bitrate, lossy-compression files will probably be disappointing.

[JulienJeff]

I have a denon amp with B&W speakers and it sounds great.
I bought that one year ago aiming to use it mainly like OP (using iTunes with wifi). It sounded great but since then I've started again to listen to more CDs and the sound quality is way way better. It's not a surprise, but we sometimes tend to forget the sound difference and think that a great amplifier will be sufficient.

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by MonetBass

You can't compare Sony with any of those brands he listed. Not in the same class at all.

Really, the Marantz receivers and B&W speakers are top notch. Whatever you select will be a good choice.

and yet mine sound great for much less money

so obviously i can because i did