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Alright, Thanks John, Glens and Billy you've all cleared up many things for me after some more reading and talking to My sister who is also involved in this venture we have decided that we will be going for a pre amp +power amp setup. I am just having trouble finding a place where i can view previous Rotel Models of both Pre and Power amps? any ideas where i might be able to find this information. (looking at previous models to maybe save some money with little compromise in quality) Also i will need to find a suitable CD player, is there any details that i need to look for when looking at different CD player? or just staying with a fairly new model from a reputable brand like the Sony player John (i think) suggested earlier? Then for radio a Tuner would be needed, again i'm not really sure what to lookout for when selecting a model? Is it a case where many are going to be very similar? Thanks again everyone

Alright, Awesome. So if i were to get an A14 Integrated amp like you suggested earlier i would need a CD player (single CD capability is enough), and alongside this i would get a receiver to allow for radio use. Then Both the CD player and Receiver would both be connected to the integrated Amp which would then send the signal to the speakers. That makes a lot more sense now. For the CD player i think i can make a decision then come back and see what you think. Can you recommend a Rotel Tuner or How i can make a decision in buying one? I kind of assume that many Tuners are going to be Extremely similar in capability. I'm going to have a look at some RP280's to find a rough price range. Thanks

Yup, i have looked a little into these options, it's my understanding that these are a generally shorter wider speaker and perhaps offer a better bass sound (from reviews i have read). Price could become an issue (high school student budget lol) with these models. I think i will look into the RP280's like you said if they are similar to the current model they are definitely going to be a great option for me. So i just need a little help Wrapping my head around the options i will have for AMPs and CD players. Starting with CD players i understand that they don't really vary to much between models and brand ( i think ) so this shouldn't be to hard for me to make a choice on with of course some further reading into the topic and current models. Would you be able to just clarify for me what exactly the difference between amps being integrated (this means they have a receiver for radio is my current understanding and possibly a dac is included within these integrated amps? Is this right). and a Basic amp just has the amp, possibly a dac built in but no receiver.?? i also understand from your message above that I also would like to know everyone's opinion on external DAC's. Do they make a difference? What's everyones experience/ opinion with amps vs integrated amps. Is there a difference in sound quality? So maybe i can make this a little easier for you great people by restating/ refining what i'm trying to achieve as a final outcome. Speakers: Klipsch rp-8000f's or RP280's (pretty set on something like this at this point) Amp: Rotel, ability to add a sub later if wanted/needed. (need help with model) Radio: this could come in the form of an integrated amp or a separate receiver (further research and possibly some opinions from you guys (people who know what they're talking about) as to what is the better option in this situation. CD Reader/Player: again rotel (pretty set on brand as it's what my old man use to have and likes) model again, i need to do a little more reading. What do you guys recommend. Hope this can make it easier. Thanks again both for your patience with me and your knowledge on this subject.

You guys are great thanks, As for speakers i think i will use something like the rp-8000f (edit i see you mentioned these) or r-820f from klipsch's website as they have the 8" woofers you suggested and i agree. (i think the RF-7's would be cool but seem substantially more expensive in comparison to ^) and as you suggested as well I have done some more reading on sub-woofers used for music and they seem like i won't need to add a sub-woofer to the system as from what i understand the previously mentioned speakers can go to a very low range. So i believe and please correct me if i'm wrong there will be diminishing returns on a sub-woofer. I would still like if it's an option to have a sub output on any amps, this way my Dad can add a sub if he wants in the future. The stereo will be used Primarily for music played from a CD but i would definitely like to have him be able to listen to the radio with the system as well. So do you believe that an integrated AMP is a good choice? Are Pre-AMP's still relevant (i know he had a rotel pre-amp on his last system) Are DAC's relevant as a separate unit? or are integrated amp with a DAC inbuilt fine? also, when i was looking at speakers such as the rp-8000f they say on the specs sheet that they use 150w continuous and 600w peak, dose this mean i would need an amp that can go to 150w per channel(continuous) ? or is using a speaker at 150w a death sentence for your ears? for example one of your suggestions was the a-14 amp from rotel that can deliver 80w to each channel, would this hold the speakers back? This is probably me just over thinking it? If i am looking for something with at least 100w per channel as suggested would a separate tuner for the radio be more viable? John A, thanks for the suggestions, i agree after further reading that a sub-woofer won't be required with any new floor standing speakers with 8" drivers/woofers. You mentioned the placement of speakers, is this in general or more specifically for the Heresies? This is something i might have to look into a little. Thanks again, Everyone. hope this can help further Edit for another question: The sony disc player above made me think if the quality of the reader means much in terms of final audio quality? If so what makes the difference?

i have no idea of exact models of speaker (getting this info from My mum and uncle) , however i do know that they were around 4 feet high and Klipsch. 2 possibly 3 drivers on each and a tweeker at the top. size will remain similar (4-5 foot floor standing speakers) volume they can achieve will be relatively high i imagine with appropriate power supply. I would like to stick to Rotel as he likes their products (or at least that's what i'm hearing) I can work my way around selecting Speakers relatively easily (with some knowledge of sound in relation to headsets and gaming) i more just need help to determine what other components matter (amps, DAC? pre-amp?) and how to make buying decisions on them Edit: the speakers were pretty new(1 maybe 2 years old) in 2009-10. if that helps to give an idea

Yes Klipsch is Avalible here. and this is for a birthday in early march more info above fyi (i edited)

i'm located in melbourne,victoria, Australia also, a surprise would be ideal but i know this can be an area where personal opinion plays a part in decision making. so for some extra idea of what he likes i found that his previous system more than 10 years ago now had 2 Klipsch floor standing speakers with a Rotel Amp and Pre-amp attached. not sure if there was a sub woofer involved, whats your opinions on them for strictly music?

thanks for all of your responses , we plan on having this be a full surprise. The system will be strictly use for music and therefore either a 2 channel stereo system or a 2.1 system. The music that will be played will be rock mostly with some pop and potentially some classical vinyl wont be used in the system just CD's Volume will be moderate (loudish but not house shaking) for 99% of time. the room it will be used in is 4x6m and as for budget $3000-$4500 AUD ($2100-$3100 USD) also used gear is definitely an option my Dad who will be the primary user of the system is by no means an audiophile but quality is still important. Thanks again.

Hi, a little backstory first, i am looking to build a sound system for my Dad with the help of my sister and mum. i don't know to much about sound systems so i'm just looking for a basic overview of what's required for an excellent sound quality system for simply listening to music like TOOL (if that's relevant). So, obviously a CD player is required along with some speakers, is an amp required for great sound quality?, and can anyone suggest a basic system that i can look at to get an idea of what i'm dealing with. Thanks in advance. also sorry if this is vague but as i said i don't know to much about the subject myself. also please let me know if i posted this in the wrong place..