I have been out of the audio thing for quite some time and I don't really know where to go next. I ran across a great deal on some used Totem Forest speakers (hi-vi drivers) and ended up purchasing them. I used to have a pair 8-9 year ago and loved them, so I am very happy to have them again. I have been obsessively reading and researching online and it seem like the more I read the more I get confused!
My current system is iTunes (Using a trial of Audirvana), AppleTV, Adcom gtp-880, Adcom GFA-6000, Totem Forest. I am using Transparent interconnects between the pre and amp, and bi-wire speaker wires that were built by a local high end audio shop.
It currently sounds very detailed and crisp, a massive upgrade in sound from the 20 year old Klipsch 5.5 floorstanding speakers that I was using, IF I listen at conversation levels AND the source is a decent quality audio file. The best I have currently are some 320kb CD's that I ripped a long time ago...have yet to try lossless, but plan to try that this weekend. I feel like the Forests would really benefit from more power and better source input, but not 100% sure, hence the reason for my post.
My aspirations are to systematically build a HT setup, but I want to start with good 2 channel a base and build from there. I do not have a well-defined budget, but I am looking deals on used equipment and will probably generally like to keep things around $1000 +/- per component.
So...where should I start?
More powerful amp? Krell KAV-250a(250wpc, $900), Bryston 4B(200wpc, $1400), Adcom GFA-5500/5503(200wpc, $500)
External DAC? Oppo BDP-105, Peachtree, is this necessary at all???
OR, are my current components ok? Maybe I don't even know what I am missing with higher end stuff. The Adcom GFA-6000 has been pretty solid, so the more powerful 5500 logically might do the trick for a low cost? Or should I go ahead with something better?
I like the Oppo BDP-105 because it has a DAC, as well as many other features that I could end up using down the road, including CD playback for the near term. I've never watched a Blu-Ray disc but I am curious..all of my movie watching is currently iTunes and Netflix.
Thank you for reading and sticking with my long post! I am all ears for your insight and advice!
Best,
Andy
Dallas, TX
I have been out of the audio thing for quite some time and I don't really know where to go next. I ran across a great deal on some used Totem Forest speakers (hi-vi drivers) and ended up purchasing them. I used to have a pair 8-9 year ago and loved them, so I am very happy to have them again. I have been obsessively reading and researching online and it seem like the more I read the more I get confused!
My current system is iTunes (Using a trial of Audirvana), AppleTV, Adcom gtp-880, Adcom GFA-6000, Totem Forest. I am using Transparent interconnects between the pre and amp, and bi-wire speaker wires that were built by a local high end audio shop.
It currently sounds very detailed and crisp, a massive upgrade in sound from the 20 year old Klipsch 5.5 floorstanding speakers that I was using, IF I listen at conversation levels AND the source is a decent quality audio file. The best I have currently are some 320kb CD's that I ripped a long time ago...have yet to try lossless, but plan to try that this weekend. I feel like the Forests would really benefit from more power and better source input, but not 100% sure, hence the reason for my post.
My aspirations are to systematically build a HT setup, but I want to start with good 2 channel a base and build from there. I do not have a well-defined budget, but I am looking deals on used equipment and will probably generally like to keep things around $1000 +/- per component.
So...where should I start?
More powerful amp? Krell KAV-250a(250wpc, $900), Bryston 4B(200wpc, $1400), Adcom GFA-5500/5503(200wpc, $500)
External DAC? Oppo BDP-105, Peachtree, is this necessary at all???
OR, are my current components ok? Maybe I don't even know what I am missing with higher end stuff. The Adcom GFA-6000 has been pretty solid, so the more powerful 5500 logically might do the trick for a low cost? Or should I go ahead with something better?
I like the Oppo BDP-105 because it has a DAC, as well as many other features that I could end up using down the road, including CD playback for the near term. I've never watched a Blu-Ray disc but I am curious..all of my movie watching is currently iTunes and Netflix.
Thank you for reading and sticking with my long post! I am all ears for your insight and advice!
Best,
Andy
Dallas, TX