Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Is this a reasonable setup?

I'd go listen to his system. If you like the sound, then follow his recommendations. If you don't, then get other opinons.

TC, from what you describe, a "class-3 audiophile" would appear to be one totally out of touch with the realities of modern audio technology and who isn't to be taken seriously. One of the great things about the current audio scene is the fact that for a few hundred dollars we can have fully-featured receivers(such as the Onkyo)that provide audibly transparent amplification within their designed limits. A receiver which would amplify with an added sonic characteristic is either defective or hasn't been competently designed as a high fidelity unit.

I have some $30 speakers buried in my basement. Hook them up to a $7000 Mac amp they're still gonna sound like $30 speakers. My own spending turned out something like 25-35% of budget on power/process and 65-75% on speakers.

Telling you to 'dump' all of your money into a high-dollar reciever was strike one. Telling you to buy $30 dollar speakers was strike two. Talking about wires period was strike three. Actually, anytime anyone tells you his wires are what makes his system sound good... you can pretty much turn your brain off to anything else he has to say.

SRoode has an excellent point, go listen to his system. See how good it sounds, and get a clear picture of the price tag he paid for it. Then find someone in your area that has something similar to what you're wanting to buy (if that's possible), or even go ahead with your order (it's refundable after all), and listen to the way it sounds. Compare the two systems and their price tags, and see which one you think is the better deal.

I'm not saying his system won't sound good, it may very well sound great. But my guess is compared to what you'll get for much, MUCH less, you'll realize you don't have to sell the farm to get a good sounding set-up.

What's a class 3 audiophile?

I think Micah described it quite well.

If I remember correctly I think it means he's from another dimension. He was probably teleported here through a set of high-end speaker cables.

Nah. Teleporting is wireless, not across a physical medium. A Class 3 Audiophile is someone who had to repeat the Audiophile Class 3 times before they passed it.

If he passed Audiophile class, then what's he doing giving out tht kind of advice?

No I'm pretty sure it has something to do with being able to kill people by bending sound waves with his bare hands.

I would say the typical take on sound is Speakers first, as they have the most affect on sound, then the room they are in, and lastly the elctronics that feed them. Spending most of your budget on speakers will yield the best results, IMO.