Help me spend 150k

[Dom]

I'm a big fan of the Danish brand Dynaudio, so how about the Evidence Master's hailed by many as some of the very best loudspeakers in existence.

It represents a milestone in state-of-the-art loudspeaker technology. I have never heard them but can only imagine there sheer brilliance.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I am retiring after 35 years of work at the same company and moving to a smaller home in a nicer neighborhood now that the kids have moved out, and I plan on finally rewarding myself with a dream den I had in mind for many years. A cigar lounge, home theater, espresso bar, attached to a two car display garage. I have everything mapped out except the audio portion.

My budget is around 150k, can be increased a bit, I have no idea what to get in terms of components and room treatment, I do know I have an affinity for B&W cabinet speakers, the current 801 signatures look wonderfully, and MCINTOSH was always a brand I respected. I leave it to you to take it from here. What would you do?

I wouldn’t have the first idea about hifi equipment in that price bracket but would recommend you start with the room. Every surface in the room is going to reflect or absorb sound. You mention a “display garage”, is that visible from the room? Large areas of glass are your enemy in a listening room. Think about speaker placement around them. So, get the bar, and the furniture in, then get some specialists in plan acoustic correction treatments. Only then is it worth spending big money on a system.



Finally, and off topic, I am guessing you have the cars for the display garage, they must be special if you want to sit and look at them. I hope you drive them too!

 

[plastic penguin]

What's been happening since I've been away? I'm sure it says the OP has 150k of disposable money to spend on hi-fi. Perhaps my meds are playing tricks....

On a more serious note, if I had 150k down the back of the sofa I wouldn't blow it on hi-fi, probably 10% of that total.

The best advice is to pester as many retailers as you can until they go red in the face. The choice too much to make recommendations (and too risky for the OP to go flashing the cash without a darn good home demo).

 

[Dom]

I trust this forum far more than any covertly paid YouTube reviewer, and some dealers I've sought advice from.

I don't think you should put faith into a forum either.

 

[podknocker]

I don't think you should put faith into a forum either.

Too right, The OP has gone, long gone.

 

[Dom]

Too right, The OP has gone, long gone.

I think It could be attention seeking but who knows. Was he serious about spending $150,000 on hifi?
Was he was being sincere or not posting about his insane wealth? I don't know.

 

[plastic penguin]

All seems a bit iffy. The poster vanishes.

 

[plastic penguin]

I don't think you should put faith into a forum either.

Not if you're going to hang on to every word. What might good for the goose may not be good for the gander

 

[Dom]

Not if you're going to hang on to every word. What might good for the goose may not be good for the gander

Yeah plastic penguin, your eloquence is succinct.

 

[Witterings]

I think It could be attention seeking but who knows. Was he serious about spending $150,000 on hifi?
Was he was being sincere or not posting about his insane wealth? I don't know.

I doubt he was serious about it, it was his 1st ever post here but he knew names likes Mcintosh and B&W so he was HiFi aware already ... I think he was just phishing.

Also someone who's earnt that amount of money would be smart enough to know that kind of title wasn't the best way to get people onside.

My only question is whether he meant about the build of the room as well and in which case that's a whole differemt story.

And don't get me wrong, if someone has that sort of money to splash om HiFi then the very nest of luck to them and as long as it's been honestly earnt I take my hat off as it's a major achievement.

Just to put it into context as well, my best friend from childhood has just sold his company and his own personal stake was £33m ... I'm sure having had a decent living out of it over the years as well.
He said he wanted to buy a decent system and my 1st question was how much .... he replied £10/15k ... somoene doen't come from nothing / Sonos to spending $150k .... just my thoughts.

 

[Witterings]

I don't think you should put faith into a forum either.

I'd put mre faith in am enthusiasts forum than a youtube reviewer I think ... they're basically telling you what they like and most enthusiasts will have tried at lease a few systems / speakers etc. to come to the conclusions they have and what they like without financial incentive .... hopefully.

 

[Dom]

I doubt he was serious about it, it was his 1st ever post here but he knew names likes Mcintosh and B&W so he was HiFi aware already ... I think he was just phishing.

Also someone who's earnt that amount of money would be smart enough to know that kind of title wasn't the best way to get people onside.

My only question is whether he meant about the build of the room as well and in which case that's a whole differemt story.

And don't get me wrong, if someone has that sort of money to splash om HiFi then the very nest of luck to them and as long as it's been honestly earnt I take my hat off as it's a major achievement.

Just to put it into context as well, my best friend from childhood has just sold his company and his own personal stake was £33m ... I'm sure having had a decent living out of it over the years as well.
He said he wanted to buy a decent system and my 1st question was how much .... he replied £10/15k ... somoene doen't come from nothing / Sonos to spending $150k .... just my thoughts.

I guess he was yanking our chain either way and will have to put this thread to bed.
Interesting point though as 10 to 15 is overkill in many ways.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

My problem with the op's title....if you are a hifi enthusiast and you know you're going to have 150k to spend,....we're talking years here...you'd do the research...go and listen to the gear and then you would already have a good idea what you would like to spend that amount of money on...I certainly would....and I wouldn't need to ask anyone else about their thoughts on it.

 

[podknocker]

I think the OP was genuine and just wanted some advice about buying some decent kit. The amount he was willing to spend was high, but I think we'd all like that amount to spend. He disappeared when he got snide remarks about his wealth and his reasons for spending so much. Nobody took him seriously and basically took the piss out of him. When you consider the amount of overpriced nonsense WHF reviews every week, it beggars belief why this forum would not take him seriously and give him some honest and helpful suggestions. A Linn Sondek LP12-50 is £50000 and the top end streamer is £35000 and the Linn 360 speakers are £55000 so this lot is £140000 before interconnects and PSU upgrades etc. People bang on about this sort of kit every week and don't think the prices are absurd until someone with the ability to buy this kit actually turns up on this forum. I think it's time a few people grew up and were not so dismissive about some people wanting to buy expensive kit, even if I think it's not worth it.

 

[Stuart83]

People's wealth and spending is relative.
If he has millions in the bank then 150k is not much in comparison.

If I say' won mega big, as working hard doesn't reflect on wealth (ask a bin man that or a site labourer)
I'd spend big there's no doubt but not in snake oil etc but on my personal version of audio nirvana.

A huge dedicated room with earth moving speakers and equipment all the best in their line.
Or even go further and design my own as many with big money do.
The op has disappeared I doubt not because of comments as I'm sure his lifestyle won't be effected by any brash comments, but probably because it's either wishful thinking or he's too busy already building it.

I share the same thought as others this thread should die.
The person who wanted the advice has long gone and further comments are mostly not hifi related.
I would shut down the email push reminders but I watch other threads so have to endure the pings everytime another comment is made.