A dedicated listening room from scratch.. I envy you, sir!

What is your budget? Are you looking for a tube setup, or solid state?

I am no expert by any measure, but went through several different configurations before I arrived to what I enjoy the most.

I had difficulties integrating a sub properly, and hunted for speakers that I can used without needing a sub. I stopped at Harbeth SHL5 plus- for tge music I enjoy, they produce plenty of bass. Saying that, if I was exclusively a rock guy and wanted to be punched in a gut with bass, I'd probably get one of the new famed REL subs.

From integrated amps, I went through several and ended up first with McIntosh MA5300, then I replaced it with Accuphase e-280. I love both, with a preference for the latter.

But the best advice is- go visit as many hifi shops as you can, and audition until you find that perfect sound.

Good luck and have fun!

Congrats! Can’t wait to see where your journey leads! I have to agree with the poster before me…you should have a budget in mind and start from there.

Just curious how large is the room?

It would be helpful to know the dimensions of the dedicated sound room in mind, including ceiling height, construction composition, windows, planned furnishings, openings, etc. It would also be helpful to know what the general budget for this investment will be. Personally, I would choose a relatively large room that isn't square. Generally speaking, speakers are the business end of any sound system. So, I'd prioritize those in my budget. Depending upon the budget in mind and the type of music you enjoy, you may not need a sub. Secondly, I would think in terms of getting as good, clean, low distortion and good headroom integrated amplifier with as good a built-in DAC as the budget can afford. Then, I'd think in terms of a good transport, which I would connect via a good and not necessarily expensive digital coaxial cable.

Old Audiophile wrote:

Secondly, I would think in terms of getting as good, clean, low distortion and good headroom integrated amplifier with as good a built-in DAC as the budget can afford. Then, I'd think in terms of a good transport, which I would connect via a good and not necessarily expensive digital coaxial cable.

Two questions. How about an analog amp and an external DAC? Then you can get an excellent external DAC and upgrade when they make a big improvement. However, it seems they don't make many analog amps. Marantz makes one, the PM8006, for $1,500. Very expensive.

Also, it seems to me a lot of amps with DACs with optical in only play up to 96 kHz. Maybe, though, I'm mistaken about that.

Sakpl8ng rates of optical are limited to～96kHz
My Accuphase DAC module in the amp produces USB Sampling rates of 384kHz,32bit
Coaxial sampling frequency 32kHz～192kHz.

If numbers of sampling frequency is what you're after, just use USB.

Yes, so it's true. USB sampling frequency is higher than optical and coax too. Also, I agree that there is more to SQ than just sampling frequency. I'm happy we agree.

manunkind wrote:

Sakpl8ng rates of optical are limited to～96kHz
My Accuphase DAC module in the amp produces USB Sampling rates of 384kHz,32bit
Coaxial sampling frequency 32kHz～192kHz.

If numbers of sampling frequency is what you're after, just use USB.

Also, don't worry about your DAC. I'm sure it's good enough for your ears, manunkind. What matters most is that you enjoy what you've got and I'm sure it sounds fine for you.

Very curious to what the original poster started looking at for his system…