1st hifi. Here is my criteria:

[Mrphotodude]

All of my music is digital now.
My media server has a optical out. I use my computer for a lot of music.
So I'm looking for a dac with usb and optical in.

I want bookshelf sized speakers, I have some decent stands I built.

I'm not against powered speakers like the audioengine A5+.
However, I want a system with some eq adjustment.

A few considerations I have been reading up on are:
Audioengine d1.
Chord mojo(is it really worth all the money for that ugly unit?)
Marantz pm5005/6005/7008/8005.
Pioneer bs22
Dali zensor 3

The onkyo A-9050 looks great to me but I read mixed results.

Although I'm not oblivious to stereo systems, consider this my first hifi. I just don't want to spend 10fold dollars for minute gain in quality.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Mrphotodude]

I was able to get an onkyo a-9030 for $250 here in Italy and it sounds great. I need better speakers though. I have a pair of Dayton b652 that have some tweaks and mods on them and a pair of micca b42x.

 

[CnoEvil]

I was able to get an onkyo a-9030 for $250 here in Italy and it sounds great. I need better speakers though. I have a pair of Dayton b652 that have some tweaks and mods on them and a pair of micca b42x.

You could try Q Acoustics Concept 20s....excellent speakers IMO.

 

[MrReaper182]

I was able to get an onkyo a-9030 for $250 here in Italy and it sounds great. I need better speakers though. I have a pair of Dayton b652 that have some tweaks and mods on them and a pair of micca b42x.

You could try Q Acoustics Concept 20s....excellent speakers IMO.

I'll second that.

 

[Superaintit]

All of my music is digital now.
My media server has a optical out. I use my computer for a lot of music.
So I'm looking for a dac with usb and optical in.

I want bookshelf sized speakers, I have some decent stands I built.

I'm not against powered speakers like the audioengine A5+.
However, I want a system with some eq adjustment.

A few considerations I have been reading up on are:
Audioengine d1.
Chord mojo(is it really worth all the money for that ugly unit?)
Marantz pm5005/6005/7008/8005.
Pioneer bs22
Dali zensor 3

The onkyo A-9050 looks great to me but I read mixed results.

Although I'm not oblivious to stereo systems, consider this my first hifi. I just don't want to spend 10fold dollars for minute gain in quality.

Any advice is appreciated!

For me only when I began to listen to speakers, amps etc I began to see where money was well spent. Hoping you will soon go out and listen here are my tips:

1)speakers are most important in determining sound quality. Rather go for small and true than big. Listen and don't take reviews for more than 1 person's personal taste. Judge for yourself.
2)amplifiers are a close second. I find powered speakers (active) better value for money.
3)dacs: look for one with an input buffer (and also asynchronous if you use usb). Can be relatively cheap to have a succesful system. I would be looking at a marantz, pioneer (big brand=cheaper) streamer with digital inputs.

 

[Mrphotodude]

Thanks for the tips. I have an audioengine d1 on the way to get me started. Speakers are the part I'll spend the bigger money on as I may build a preamp and some monoblocks when I get back to the states. I have a huge stash of mullard,telefunken,amperex exc in storage.