Help for a New Guy building a system

[molasse]

Hello friends,

New guy here. I've got a smattering of lower-end big-brand (Sony, Pioneer, etc.) components from the 1990s. My stereo is fine, but I want to build a much better system piece by piece. I listen to CDs mostly, but do some streaming and LPs. Between amp, tuner, streamer, CD player, where would you start, and what would you recommend for no more than $1,000 per piece (averaged).

If this matters, I listen to a lot of rock, ragtime and blues, ambient, and classical. Thanks!

 

[twinkletoes]

Welcome. I’m sure the guys will be along shortly.

For me I’d start with the speakers they will have the most noticeable change.

Pick a few you like the look of and then go and audition

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hello friends,

New guy here. I've got a smattering of lower-end big-brand (Sony, Pioneer, etc.) components from the 1990s. My stereo is fine, but I want to build a much better system piece by piece. I listen to CDs mostly, but do some streaming and LPs. Between amp, tuner, streamer, CD player, where would you start, and what would you recommend for no more than $1,000 per piece (averaged).

If this matters, I listen to a lot of rock, ragtime and blues, ambient, and classical. Thanks!

It depends what you are starting with. What amp and speakers do you have. In general I would say start by replacing the weakest element. This is most likely to be amp or speakers. Some 90s Sony amps are very good and punched well above their price.