Building your Dream System: Strategies for Buying Audio and Home Theater Gear

From identifying your tastes and preferences to strategies you can use to buy the gear you love, we'll help you think through what you need to do to build your dream system.
0:00 Introduction
0:51 What's your motivation?
1:57 Identifing what you like (and don't like!)
6:03 Room Correction Technologies
7:47 Auditioning Equipment
8:40 Set a Plan and Long Term Goals
9:51 Factors to think about when buying audio gear
13:05 Purchasing Strategies
14:32 Authorized Resellers and Manufacturer Direct
15:35 Demo Gear
16:33 Trade-in or Trade-up Programs
17:40 Sale Pricing (Including Black Friday)
18:18 Refurbished Audio Gear
19:07 Used Gear
19:54 Final Thoughts
👉 Book a consultation with Gene: bit.ly/Gene-consultation
► Shop Dreamedia AV: dreamediaav.com/?ref=3
👉 Book your FREE custom home theater design service NOW: bit.ly/HTDesign
► Shop Audio Advice: bit.ly/3thUFI1
Recommended Subwoofers:
SVS SB-1000 Pro: audioadvice.io/36Pea3a
SVS PB-1000 Pro: audioadvice.io/3sreeyk
SVS SB-3000: bit.ly/SVSSB3000Sub
Paradigm Defiance X12: bit.ly/ParadigmX12
Perlisten D15s: bit.ly/PerlistenD15s
Perlisten R212s: bit.ly/PerlistenR212s
Perlisten R210s: bit.ly/PerlistenR210s
👉 Perlisten R18s: bit.ly/PerlistenR18s
Arendal 1723 1S Sub: bit.ly/Arendal17231Ssub
Recommended AV Separates
Trinnov Altitude 32: bit.ly/TrinnovAltitude32
Trinnov Altitude 16: bit.ly/TrinnovAltitude16
Trinnov Amplitude 16: bit.ly/TrinnovAmplitude16
Trinnov Amplitude 8: bit.ly/TrinnovAmplitude8
Anthem AVM 70: bit.ly/AnthemAVM70pre
Anthem AVM 90: bit.ly/AnthemAVM90
Anthem MCA 323 Gen 2: bit.ly/AnthemMCA325
Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2: bit.ly/AnthemMCA525
Recommended AV Receivers:
Denon AVR-A1H: bit.ly/DenonAH1
👉 Denon AVR-X6800H: bit.ly/DenonAVR6800h
Denon AVR-X3800H 9.2CH AV Receiver: bit.ly/DenonX3800h
Marantz Cinema 50: bit.ly/MarantzCinema50
Onkyo TX-RZ50 ($1,599): bit.ly/OnkyoTXZ50
Yamaha RX-A2A: audioadvice.io/3ppWFg9
Sony STR-AZ5000ES: bit.ly/SonySTRAZ5000ES
Sony STR-AZ7000ES: bit.ly/SonySTRAZ7000ES
Anthem MRX1140: bit.ly/AnthemMRX1140
Anthem AVM 90 15.4CH Processor: bit.ly/AnthemAVM90
Monolith M8250x 8CH Amp: bit.ly/8CHamp
NAD M23: bit.ly/NADm23amp
Recommended Powered Speakers:
Kanto YU6: bit.ly/KantoYU6speakers
Kanto TUK: bit.ly/KantoTUK
Kanto Sub8: bit.ly/KantoSub8
Recommended Center Channels:
SVS Prime Center: bit.ly/SVSPrimecenter
Paradigm Premier 500C: bit.ly/Paradigm500C
Revel C208: bit.ly/RevelC208
Recommended Speakers:
👉 SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Tower: bit.ly/SVSUltraEvolutionPinnacle
SVS Prime 5.1 Speaker / Sub System: audioadvice.io/3JZJOt5
JBL HDI-3800: bit.ly/JBLHDI3800sale
Polk R700 Tower Speakers: audioadvice.io/3C0TK2B
Heco Aurora 1000 Tower Speakers: bit.ly/Aurora1000
Monolith Encore T6: bit.ly/EncoreT6
Klipsch RP-8000F II Tower Speakers: audioadvice.io/3445l4A
Arendal 1723S Tower Speakers: bit.ly/Arendal1723s
Focal Aria K2 936: bit.ly/3zVAxi5
Focal Kanta No2: bit.ly/Focalkantano2
👉 SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf: bit.ly/SVSUltraEvolutionbooks...
SVS Prime Elevation Surround: audioadvice.io/35aZCdR
MartinLogan Motion XT F100: bit.ly/MartinLoganF100
MartinLogan Motion XT F200: bit.ly/MartinLoganF200
MartinLogan Motion F10: bit.ly/MartinLoganF10
MartinLogan Motion XT B100: bit.ly/MartinLoganB100
Perlisten S7t Limited Edition: bit.ly/PerlistenS7tLE
Perlisten S7t: bit.ly/PerlistenS7towers
Perlisten R7t: bit.ly/PerlistenR7t
Perlisten R5t: bit.ly/PerlistenR5t
Perlisten S3ic: bit.ly/PerlistenS3ic
Perlisten R3ic: bit.ly/PerlistenR3ic
Recommended Headphones:
JBL Tour One M2: bit.ly/JBLTourOneM2-headphones
👉 Focal Bathys: bit.ly/FocalBathyswireless
Focal Celestee: bit.ly/Focalcelestee
Mark Levinson 5909: bit.ly/MarkLevinson5909
Sony WF-1000XM3: bit.ly/SonyIEMs
Audioholics Recommended Cables:
250ft CL2 12AWG Speaker Cable: amzn.to/2vwS9QH
50ft 10AWG Speaker Cable: amzn.to/3DeMTT5
Locking Banana Plugs: amzn.to/2ZQt15x
9ft 4K HDR HDMI Cables: amzn.to/2WiIXeD
Disclaimer: Audioholics earns commissions from qualifying purchases with the Affiliate Links used in the description of this video. We appreciate your support.
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#hometheater #deals #audiophile

[@ericmurray6030]

This is a great video! I love it. Have so much to say how did I miss it… I trained myself to stop spending money on automobiles and performance upgrades on automobiles. I shifted my resources to where I spend most of my time… Listening to music on a high-end system. Really really good advice in here and I have a followed a lot of it over the years

[@gregbartley2475]

I bought my first HiFi in ‘74 at the age of 14, it was pretty basic. First quasi home theater in ‘94. You have given a lot of good advice on this video and I completely agree about the keyboard Warriors. Don’t let anybody tell you what you should or shouldn’t like. My wife and I moved into a new construction house almost 10 years ago with a full finish basement. Part of that basement was a 28 x 14 media room. I got the hi-fi bug at a very early age, but wanted to make the room equally as good for music as it is from home theater. I’ve got some really good equipment and took a lot of time to try to do everything right including sound control. I feel like I’ve achieved that goal and enjoy my system a great deal, that’s what it’s all about.

[@slidetek]

Oh, and agree room is perhaps most important component. When I finally had my purpose built listening room with dedicated power, the difference was insane. I have sadly divorced and moved. Although my system is better, I can’t quite achieve the insane level of imaging I did in that room. Any investment in damping etc. is well worth it.

[@gilramsey3518]

Is it worth getting back together with the ex to get that room back?

[@slidetek]

As soon as I saw the Focals it was insta click. I started in the early 70’s, and at some point owned pretty much all types of speakers and some classics. Around 1995 I was at the sterophile show in San Francisco and heard the JM Lab Utopias for the first time. I came back at the end of the show to listen longer, and met 2 very well known guys in the industry who had the same idea, a reviewer and manufacturer. Mr. M had some very fine single malt scotch and we had a wonderful 90 minutes alone. At that time I had just gotten some Thiels, and they lasted me 25 or so years, a record. I have since gotten some Kanta No2’s, and love them with my BAT gear. But that little voice is coming back…

[@ericmurray6030]

Kanta 3!!!! and not looking back

[@mikeluongo537]

After 38 years of upgrading, Emotiva pre tuner, an ol bob carver amp 380 watts, rel sub w 200 watts. 600 watts for home is insane. I am finnally at the pt I WOULD NOT CHANGE A THING. I need My fix every day for 3 hours of kidney shaking beautiful Music. it drops my bp 30 pts

[@gilramsey3518]

Learn from my costly experience: If you want clean sound in a large room at concert level volume you need 2 things: A separate amplifier and big towers. I bought a Monolith 7x200 all channels driven and it was a game changer. Receivers won't cut it for six pack long listening sessions at concert level especially if you are using surrounds. Plus a good amp will last decades and won't be obsolete like a processor or receiver in 10 years as Theo noted in the video. Regarding the speakers, any conventional speaker that can be shipped UPS may not be large enough to fill a large room. I tried that and it didn't work. Finally got some SVS Ultra Towers and they are more than enough speaker. If you want to build something like that in stages, make sure you get a receiver with pre-outs so you can add an amp later if you want.

[@robertschlechter4407]

One mistake I made in building my stereo system for music was falling for thick and beefy power cables. I bought three of them, each three feet, and then learned that I fell for snake oil. The original cables were reinstalled.

[@garyharper2943]

Don’t forget refurbed, some units just returned for no reason have to be sold as refurbed.

[@Norman-bone13]

#1 rule for me is to stay within budget limits. I have bought a Demo pair of bookshelf speakers, and an Open Box integrated amplifier. Both at reduced price, and looked brand new. I would purchase Open Box items again. I always do extensive research, looking for high value at reasonable price. I do not buy stereo gear on credit unless it’s a no interest deal if paid off within set time limit, like six, 12, or 18 months. It’s satisfying to save & pay cash upon purchase. You’re done. Plus it saves one from impulse buys. My main goal is to enjoy music through decent gear that sounds best for what I can afford. One usually can put a quality stereo rig together in that sweet middle area for price. Mid-Fi rigs. Good - Better -Best. I’m usually buying in that higher edge of the Better category. Not Flagship, which I can’t afford, and not Entry-Level either. Usually one can gain much by spending $100 - $300 more, but staying well below the top tier level. For a beginner, the main goal is to get something to listen to music on and go from there. Enjoy the journey & have fun! 👍🏼😎🎶

[@tomb375]

Any Idea when Anthem will have an upgrade to their line? I love the styling but I know it's been out for a few years now and don't want to miss out on the Technology updates inside the unit, inputs and outputs. such as I2s, that I have on the back of my DAC to connect to the Anthem. Thank you.

[@user-zl9qk1sg2f]

Good video

[@DrSinisster]

I have purchased from Boutique Brands in which case I couldn’t listen so I try to Speak to the Designer by phone or email. That way I can ask questions from the actual Designer. The rest of my gear is well established brands (Musical Fidelity, Rega)with great reviews. Listening first will always be best if you can.

[@Novilicious]

I can do a lot of speakers but NOT an ugly one. An all Utopia theater used to be what I wanted but increasingly, active-day controlled-time-aligned speakers is what I’m working towards

[@tenehaglendening9246]

Im still rocking a intergra dtr 80.2. Been thinking of getting a new one. My question is what would be your recommendation for a replacement that has similar specs and up to date features? Thanks in advance.

[@talosian]

Get the DRX-8.4 otherwise you are going to take a hit in amp power. BTW, I have this one and it's great!

[@tjmbv8680]

I get all my gear off the used market because it lets me buy better gear for less.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

. A ladder/branch, decision path illustration might help visualize the journey. 👍 Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@howardskeivys4184]

You mention acoustic room treatment. Then in the next breath, you mention room correction. So, which of those do you prioritise? Do you need both? If so, does that mean that neither of them are a complete solution?

[@Audioholics]

You need good room acoustics for room correction to be more effective. You need both.

[@howardskeivys4184]

@@Audioholics in a dedicated listening room containing just the speakers, electronics, listening chair and maybe, veer fridge, I can appreciate that acoustic treatment help. But back in the real world, where the hi-fi has to fight for it’s right to be, in the family lounge, I would maintain that the soft furnishings, arm chairs, sofas, carpets, curtains, rugs, cushions, people and their pets, ensure RT60 levels are within acceptable limits. As for room correction, generally only considered effective up to 400hz. Can’t that same bass management be achieved by multiple, well placed, subs. Negating the need for that additional processing stage to the signal source. Isn’t hi-fi the art of remaining true to the creators intent? Isn’t therefore every additional processing stage the signal is subjexted to, deviating from that goal?

[@northeastcorals]

@@howardskeivys4184 Just do that then, personally I'll be treating my room & using room correction.

[@dagnisnierlins188]

For high end audio prices I can build my own ultra festival in the backgarden.

[@shinvergil]

It's a journey, imo you should start below average and then add increments if you feel like it.

[@robwr737]

Not gonna happen 💰💰💰💰😢 but I love it, tap that like 👍 button people