Setting up a killer home audio / theater system ... preferably "on a budget."

Hey Gang!

I'm looking for advice, references, webpages, forums, etc., to help me purchase the components for a great home audio / theater system.  Any ideas?

Once upon a time, I had a Carver amp and pre-amp powering a set of Bose 901 speakers in my barracks room.  Several moves (and wives!) later, I no longer have that stuff!

When I came home from Afghanistan in 2009, my then wife (#2) surprised me with a huge flatscreen TV, a butt-kicking amp & pre-amp, and some great surround sound speakers (I forget the brands).  I was a happy camper!  Alas, after moving to San Antonio a few years later, that system would not 'fit' in our living room, so I had to downsize to a Bose 3-2-1 soundbar + woofer.  That was fine for watching movies, but a bit lacking for listening to music.  I was not as happy a camper.

Now it's about to be 2024.  My Bose 3-2-1 soundbar + woofer and I inherited a 1080p flatscreen when I remarried in 2020.  Wife #3 (and final!) loves music and has authorized the funds to upgrade to a 'dream' home audio / theater system.  

My wife bought me a nice turntable for Father's Day, so I'm good there!  I warned her that meant I had to build a home audio / theater system around it, however!

Here's what I know I want to be part of that ...

• A great but user-friendly amp & preamp (or an 'all in one' if that exists).
• A GREAT set of speakers that will work for listening to music (intensively!) AND watching 4K Blu-ray blockbuster movies.  If that entails up to four surround sound satellite speakers, that's fine ... but are there good wireless ones out there?
• That gizmo with vacuum tubes you attach to your amp/preamp that really brings vinyl record music to life when played over modern soldi-state speakers.  (If you have not experienced the difference in sound, you need to check it out).
• An equalizer that will allow me to set the sound levels for a prefect listening experience where I sit in my living room.
• A 4K flatscreen TV (is that still the 'new standard?') ... a big one!  That should be relatively easy to pick out.
• A need a nice rack or cabinet to house the system ... something that will allow easy access to the turntable and that looks nice in our living room.

As for my budget?  Well ... I don't live in a mansion! I don't want to break the bank, either, but I do (or will) have some cash to invest in the future system.  This is going to be my retirement present to myself.  When I retire, I want to sit in my spot in the living room with a big stack of old comics and read 'em while listening to prog rock on vinyl!

As I mentioned, I'd like all the components to be user friendly. 

Any thoughts?

statistics: Posted by exredleg — 12:11 PM - Today — Replies 3 — Views 34

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