The $3K all in exercize.

[Melvin]

Based on my own experience:

 

Magnepan MMGs - $600

Schiit Bifrost Multibit - $600

Mac mini - $500

Odyssey Cyclops - $1100

 

Leaving $200 for wire. Add a sub or 2 for a few more bucks and you've got a killer system.

 

The Maggies need a good amp and the Khartago-based "integrated" suits them perfectly.

[Melvin]

Magnepan .7 $1400

Bass module $800

 

Crown XLS Drive Core 1500 $270

 

Emotiva Stealth DAC DC-1 $399

 

Dell Latitude 2100 $99

 

$200 left over for IC's, Jriver with JRemote.

 

This looks fantastic! Love this thread BTW and am hoping more chime in with real-world experience in particular.

[Melvin]

I don't recall seeing a class D amp that doubles into 4 ohms (from 8) any where near this price range. Perhaps the 8 ohm rating is conservative.

 

This company has been around for quite some time. I think wgscott built one awhile ago but they also sell preassembled at superb prices.

 

SDS-250C Class D Audio Amplifier

[Melvin]

Omega Super 3i - $700

IsoAcoustics Aperta Isolation Stands - $200

Ohm MicroSubwoofer 10 - $600 for a pair

Decware SE84UFO - $1000

Bluesound Node 2 - $500

 

This $3000 system sounds a whole lot better than it ought to and has been a great introduction to the world of SET/HE speakers. There is a bevy of upgrade options to further refine the SQ as time goes on but I have enough gear in storage to keep me happy for now.

[Melvin]

It's really too bad this once promising thread has gone off the rails. I could just ignore it but it's like a bad car accident.

[Melvin]

1 hour ago, GUTB said:

Okay guys. Now for an the impossible mode challenge: Linear amplified, DSD-capable, NEW from DEALERS / DIRECT WITH WARRANTY complete system for $3k or less!

 

Here's my stab at it:

 

Speakers: http://www.decware.com/newsite/DM945.html ($1000)

Amp/Pre: http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=93 ($700)

DAC: http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=95 ($700)

Source: http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=71&product_id=83 ($550)

 

Based on Decware speakers, highly sensitive, ribbon tweeters. Amp is auto-biased tubed, A/B. DAC is a good tubed output stage XMOS / AK4490 based DAC with native DSD decoding. Source is a mini-PC with linear power supply. Should be decent! Would be better with a tube-rectified amp but nothing like that cheap enough available new from Western dealers as far as I know.

 

Nice!

 

The closest in price I’m aware of for a tube-rectified amp is the Decware SE84UFO ($1000). Pair with those Decware speakers and you have $1000 left over for a streamer/source.