Moving from head fi to hi fi. Looking for advice

Kalkain -- Mon, 11/21/2011 - 07:57

Hi guys

I am, and have always been for most of my life, a headphone listener, due to the excellent privacy that i get from it. (no disturbing the neighbours/family) However recently i am finding headphones quite fatiguing and hard on the ears, and i'm now looking into a audio set up to complement my headphones. I have a really small room, so i am going for a pair of bookshelf speakers, and maybe consider a subwoofer.

I would really appreciate any advice for some components that i can look at for this system. My budget is below 1000 (soft) and 1300 (hard). I mostly enjoy rock, jazz, pop and orchestral pieces in digital format, out of my ipod touch and computer

Thank you!

JLeeMD -- Mon, 11/21/2011 - 11:57

Dynaudio's Excite X12 at $1200/pr: John Atkinson said its superb performance makes it hard to justify spending more on a standmount unless one can afford one in the cost-no-object category.

rossop -- Mon, 11/21/2011 - 15:31

Twenty-five years ago I was in your position. My first stand mount was the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 which I traded up to B&W Nautilus 805s. What JLeeMD says is right on the money I think. One thing you should consider is power. Both these brands appreciate ample power. It is important to match your speakers with the amp(s) you might be using. Have a good look around and dont rush in (like I did).

Kalkain -- Mon, 11/21/2011 - 22:56

Thanks for the advice! Been looking into those speakers, but wow, the price! I guess i could save and wait longer to get them, though a part of me screams to buy something cheaper now. I shall resist...

Am i right to assume that speakers require the same components as my headphone set up? Aka DAC, amp and speakers? What's the biggest difference between these 2 types of 'audiophilia'?

Current set up:
iPod touch 3G > (still waiting dacmagic) > meier audio concerto > Audeze LCD-2

rossop -- Tue, 11/22/2011 - 14:05

If I were you I'd find a dealer I could trust and let them guide you. You dont have to go the expensive route to begin with. The cheaper B&W stand mounts could be the go with an amp or even a receiver. Check out TAS for start-me-up advice. The latest issue has a review of a Rotel receiver.