If you had to do it all over again...

[fatchowmein]

I'm guessing there are alot of people who were in my shoes when starting out in this hobby with their first receiver with pre-outs. Next came an amp followed by replacing the receiver with a pre-amp.

Looking back, would you have looked for the pre-amp of your heart's desire and purchased the amp with it in mind or would you have looked for an amp first and not worry about the pre until later, giving more importance to mating the amp to your speaker?

I hope that made sense.

[dane_peterson]

I would rather place the emphasis on the amplifier. Main reason being, preamps tend to change quite a bit more over the years... especially if it's multi-channel. Might as well save for later and get more features out of the newer pre/pros.

[McLoki]

Number one thing I would have done over is purchased everything from the beginning used (or refurb).

Michael

[brijenjas]

I agree with McLoki on buying used.

I would do everything else the same though.

I enjoyed upgrading in steps and being able to tell an audible difference in each (almost every) upgrade. Especially since I didn't really know what I was looking for at first.

I'm still not sure exactly what I'm looking for, but I have a pretty good idea now, and it's a lot of fun looking, (though sometimes costly:D ).

[opus]

used for me also.

I find that I have enjoyed the baby steps.

[JimBRICK]

if I could do my home theater all over again I would have purchased everything used instead of new and would have ended up with a way better system. but I didnt know better and had some bad advice when I started. I've learned ALOT for the wise old bastards on this website

[wingnut4772]

Used for me too..except for display.

[Bill Ayotte]

Used for me too..except for display.

Yeah....New TV's have enough issues....:(

All of my equipment is used as of yet.....The power conditioner open box...I am not sure there is anything besides a TV I would buy new....Maybe speakers....

[McLoki]

Sorry - I was thinking audio side of HT. I would purchase the display new (but the screen and everything else used... :) ) If you don't find what you want - don't get in a hurry, it will show up at the price you want eventually.

Michael

[heiney9]

Well let's see I bought my Nak pre amp and Adcom amp new in 1986 along with the Polk RTA-11T's. I still have the pre and amp. Sold the RTA's to get LSi 9's around x-mas time and now I have SDA's.

Not sure I'd change a thing. Keeping the same pre and amp for 21 years and speakers for 20 years must mean I like it :D .

I went straight from a reciever to my seperates. Of course if I wasn't working at the audio store at the time I probably couldn't have afforded it back then. That accomodation pricing allowed me to get something nice.

I'd still have my Nakamichi Dragon as well if I had a use for it. Sold that about 8-9 years ago.

H9

[millerman 3732]

If I had to start over again the first thing I would get is an SVS, by far the best upgrade I ever made.

[Serendipity]

Amp first, then pre/pro.

[sucks2beme]

Audio Research VSI55 integrated tube amp used(trade in at local dealer)
Pair of Spendor S8e's and Rega Apollo new same dealer.
Write the check and be done with it.
Stop reading this board- priceless!:D

[venomclan]

Starting from scratch, I would first find the speakers I wanted and know that I would have for a long time. Then find the right amp to power them, then get the pre, source etc...I find that there is no greater impact on sound than the speakers.
V

[MikeC78]

Would of bought the LSi series from the get go!

[Early B.]

I would have bought what I wanted much earlier in the process instead of being so darn frugal. I made too many lateral and backward moves, especially with speakers.

So after conducting lots of research, I'd buy the best front speakers I could, then slowly build everything else around it.

[Refefer]

I would have tried to audition more prior to buying. I made several lateral moves from brand to brand before finding a set of speakers I enjoy.

[AndyGwis]

buying anything 2-channel used is the only way to go. I even bought my Plasma used (open box at BB for like $1400 off).

For 2-channel, I'd probably do everything pretty much the same. I've made some strange purchases, but many were just cuz I found a great deal and wanted to try it before passing it along. Trying and learning are important to noobs, which, despite my lofty post count, is what I still am.

For HT, I got a great deal on the Monitor speakers, subwoofer, and receiver. So, while I could've gotten more bang for my buck used, I didn't have to wait to piece together a system on Agon, and everything was new and pretty. I'm not picky about HT anyway. It bangs and booms when it should, like it should.

[halo]

I asked my wife this question and here is her answer (in regards to 2 channel):

"If we had it to do all over again I'd tell you to get the system you ultimately wanted in the first place. It would save the hassel of buying, trying, selling (which includes packing up all the speakers and equipment over and over again.) It may seem more expensive but if you add the cost for buying selling shipping it actually is cheaper in the long run to get what you want in the first place. It also saves you the trouble of dealing with all the crackpots on ebay and audiogon. As it is now you have no desire to upgrade anything because everything is as you wanted it to begin with."

Since we went to the Chicagoland Polkfest she said she'd like another SVS for the HT & maybe a Blu Ray player. After we got home I ran our SVS a little hotter and she hasn't brought up the need for another sub since. Sure another one would be cool but it definitely isn't in the budget & neither is a BRDP. As the HT is now I have no desire to upgrade. It gets the job done just fine. She's right about the 2 channel rig too. As is I have no current desire to upgrade. I'm not saying that I won't - just that I don't right now.

[Monster Jam]

"If you had to do it all over again..."

I would't have bought the TV I have now knowing what I know now. I would have spent a LOT less on it, knowing that in a few years, flat panels would be within my price range.

As for the amp, which I've yet to get to feed the hungry LSis, I dont think I am going used. If (as unlikely as it may be) I get burnt with a bad unit, my wife will have my rear-quarter and alls I will hear till I'm packaged nicely in a pine box will be "I told you so." Further, she'd give me the reluctant go ahead for a new one when the time is right.

My reciever is used and my sub grey market, so I tried to save cash where I could.

[W WALDECKER]

I have no regrets,for me the Journey has been at least half of the fun ;) i am looking at maybe buying a pair of Silverline Sonata III's in rosewood for the tube powered rig.thanks....WCW III www.silverlineaudio.com

[fatchowmein]

Thx to everyone for chiming in. If I had to do it over again, I would have bought the LSi15's first. But, if I didn't buy the R50's I would never have known about the RTi's, this site, and the LSi's.

Now, time to save for that new amp. :)

[Midnite Mick]

I would have went to my new dealer first. He sells new stuff for used prices.

I probably would also have just gotten a receiver to take care of movies. I find a friend of mine's HT adequate for me and it is run solely with a Pioneer 1014TX receiver. Good enough for me as I am more about 2 channel music vs. movies.

Thanks,
Mike

[MSALLA]

I would have done more research and started out with seperates and better speakers. But, being I tend to get upgradis, I wounder how much money I would have sunk into this hobby if I started at a higher level in the first place.

[RuSsMaN]

I'd buy a $1500 integrated amp, $1500 cd player, and $1500 shelf speakers - cable it up and be DONE.

[AndyGwis]

I'd buy a $1500 integrated amp, $1500 cd player, and $1500 shelf speakers - cable it up and be DONE.


What specific items would this include? Let me guess. DK Design Integrated. . .

[rskarvan]

I would do pretty much as I did. I'd find a system that is already put together by audiophiles (in a store) that I enjoy and work toward purchasing all the separate components separately used to make the magic happen again.

I bought my Krell amp used.
I bought my Theil 3.6's used.
I bought my DAC used.
I bought my Monarchy DIP used.
I do have all new cables. But, all were purchased at substantial discount (50+% sales).

It takes time.... but, the same magic that I heard new in 1991 at a store is now in my living room.