CWelsh

Maybe I didn't say it well, but that was my original point in response to the previous comment about an amplifier giving color to the sound. Contrary to their marketing claims, Bose products were in no way high-fidelity. They were (and still are) a very colored sound that average consumers equate with "quality". You and I know different.

I believe everything you said, but I'm not convinced my original statement was not true. It is possible that I misunderstood at the time, but my understanding was that Bose designed the sound of his products based on his studies in psychoacoustics. The 901s were highly equalized to tailor the sound to what focus groups thought sounded good. Am I missing something?

Yes, you can buy an external DAC.

Dr. Bose created an entire business building products that people liked to hear. Not high fidelity, but pleasing to the ear.

The anticipation builds! Love it!!!

I'm qualified to say you've chosen a nice shade of blue for the schematic and that your lines are straight. Beyond that...well, I'm not worth much.

That little Marantz will give you everything you need to get started and should sound quite nice with your speakers. It isn't going to be the best thing in the world, but it will be good. Then, once you've got some music coming out of those beauties, keep hanging around the forums reading what others are saying about various components. Ask questions. See what others are using and listening to. Before long, you will have a pretty good idea of what you want next to take your listening to the next level. Just be warned...this is a very addictive and potentially expensive path you're starting down. Welcome to the club!

That would work. Grab it!

If you want something really inexpensive that will give you a surprisingly good start, consider this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CJZGT6H?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details&th=1 You will need a preamp, but you can get one from the same company and still be easily within your price limits. And, these amplifiers actually sound great with Klipsch speakers.

This looks interesting. Show and tell, please.

I'm systematically working my way through Terry Pratchett's Diskworld series. I've read individual volumes over the years but decided to start at the beginning and read all 41. I'm currently reading Sourcery, which is the fifth book, so I've go a way to go.

I enjoy it all, including MQA (or Master Quality Authenticated). And, yes, it sounds pretty darned good to me.

@captainbeefheart A lot of the most active people on the forum seem to have multiple amplifiers. This little project could easily turn into something ongoing with a number of "Forum" amps as long as there are willing designers. It just has to start somewhere. Since this is your idea, Captain, I think you should start with something that appeals to you and let's see where it goes.

I can only speak for myself. I have decent soldering skills, but I'm not an engineer and would have no ability to make decisions about proper configuration. In other words, I can handle some assembly, but that is the limit of my comfort level. Does that help?

Shhhhh, he's been talking under $500. Don't give him ideas. 😄

I'm using Amazon Music Unlimited. I already had an Amazon Music subscription for my Echo, so it was an inexpensive upgrade to go to the Unlimited level when I got my Bluesound Node. I've been happy with it. I can't think of anything I've tried to find that hasn't been available, and everything is CD quality or better. Most of what I listen to is High Res. They claim to have some MQA, but I haven't found any so far.

I bought a pair of llls back in November from a dealer who wanted to make way for the lVs. I felt the price difference was significant and loved the sound of the llls, so I jumped at it. At some point, I may want to go the upgrade path, but for the foreseeable future, I'm just going to enjoy my llls.

Well, good luck to him...LOL

If you really like the sound of the Fortes and feel the smaller size may be more suited to your room, you might want to keep an eye on the Forte lll Upgrade thread. The most recent comments from Paducah Home Theater give some insight into the differences between the lll and lV versions. While there isn't an official upgrade kit yet, maybe it isn't too far away. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/205630-wow-for-now-my-forte-iii-win-over-altec-m19/

The way I understand the saying, better caps, resistor, wire, RCA jacks, etc. would actually be the steak. The sizzle doesn't really add anything. I will pay more for a prime steak, and I can taste the difference. But, I can make a choice cut of meat sizzle just like a prime cut of meat...it just won't taste the same.

It's all in the marketing. Sell the sizzle (silver wire, fancy capacitors), not the steak (actual performance). Sizzle is what people are willing to pay the big bucks for.

As my wife will quickly point out (and, in this instance she is right), my problem is that I never get rid of anything. It just goes into the storage room with the claim that I might use it again someday.

I get this...I hear people talking about clinical vs. musical, but I'm not sure I understand the distinction. To me, that clinical detail is incredibly musical. I love hearing those surprising little nuances I have never heard before. The little things the artist has slipped in that is just so right. That's musical.

I picked up my soldering iron almost two years ago. You're going to love it!

I'm anxious to see where this goes. I would be pleased with even 5-10 watts.