How do I get Best Music Sound There Is, Whatever Cost?
I agree with Trefor!
Last week I listened to a top-end Linn set-up and then B&O active floor-standers (which were much better than the Linn speakers in my opinion). Then I went to three orchestral concerts three nights running. Conclusion: forget upgrading from my Arcam / Spendor set-up. The difference was minimal compared to live. I'll spend my money on live concerts, even when that includes hotel costs.
Andrew
I've got a picture in my head of Trefor at a rave, going up to all the teenagers and telling them that the slogans on their t-shirts are spelled incorrectly.
Whatever cost? Best sound? Forget about buying hi-fi and go to all the live music you enjoy, whether it is a Symphony orchestra, jazz club, opera, rave, gamelan. It all sounds better than any hi-fi. 
Most of the raves that I've been to had rubbish quality sound systems. They were very loud with loads of bass but like most big PA systems there wasn't much clarity.
I still enjoy listening to rave music at home and the sound quality of my Neutrons is miles better in every way than any PA system that I've ever heard.
Get yourself an iPhone, some decent headphones and go travelling! Far more benefit than HiFi.
Could do with a few montns in Bali myself.
Something like the £6300 Genelec 8260A would be a good place to start auditioning. They're butt ugly but Genelec make speakers that sound exceptionally good and these are the best (but not the biggest) that they make.
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan11/articles/genelec-8260a-0111.htm
I still enjoy listening to rave music at home and the sound quality of my Neutrons is miles better in every way than any PA system that I've ever heard.
Have to disagree with that Steve; PAs used to be duffers, but companies like Turbosound have pushed the boundaries out for years now. Went to see Muse the other week in Glasgow and the sound quality was - even for the SECC - very impressive. Would've left any speaker absolutely standing.
Something like the £6300 Genelec 8260A would be a good place to start auditioning. They're butt ugly but Genelec make speakers that sound exceptionally good and these are the best (but not the biggest) that they make.
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan11/articles/genelec-8260a-0111.htm
While we're suggesting ugly pro-audio, how about these ugly speakers from Fostex. Around 30,000 pounds for a pair. I don't think that includes the Accuphase power amps for the speakers.
BigColz
I always wondered why everything goes quiet when I arrive at a party. 
Joking aside though I'd start with the room. Build something circa 25ft x 35ft, solid floor, solid high ceiling. Lots of bookcases to absorb reflections, nice fire to curl up in front of whilst listening, all the gear hidden away in a specially constructed cubby hole so you don't have to see it (not speakers obviously).
Then, well.....Blades, 800's, Sonus Fabers, big stats, Tannoy Westminsters, hmmm. Think my starting point would be a B&W 800 series surround setup, so the Classe gear would be a logical partner. Could be tempted by 5 x Blade though - even better if they come out with a centre Blade. About £100k all in including projector and screen I reckon. Plus room.
Oh and a restored Thorens 124 for old times sake, complete with SPU cartridge. Maybe I should complete that thought process and get a brace of Albarry's and find someone who's still got some working Allison One's, if such things exists. I could have one system at one end of the room, the other facing it 35 ft away! Now we're talking.
Yeah if were being serious i'd def start with the room.. Yeah Bookcases or proper diffusers depending on how you'd design the room.. Being young i'd prob go a bit contempory.. Be so awesome to be able to start fom scratch!! As for speakers i suppose it depends how much disposable income you have and what you feel they're worth, There are smaller versions of those focals that are probably very impressive.. But yeah I'd prob start with a pair of big ass A class amps and audition with some £20kish speakers... 5 x blades would be pretty crazy..
I certainly wouldn't go into a hifi dealership and say that, for a start!
There is an awful lot of smoke and mirrors in the hifi world and I, for one, was totally taken in by it - hook, line and sinker. The last time I went into my HiFi dealer, one of the younger sales assistants said (in what he presumably thought was a joking manner) "we've had all your money so we're moving onto someone else". Hmmm.
If money really is no object and you enjoy chopping and changing then, by all means, go for it. However, I had a 10k system -from the afore-mentioned dealer- that I sold for my current 3k system and one that takes the original setup to the cleaners.
I would respectfully suggest you tread extremely carefully and trust nothing but your own ears.
I certainly wouldn't go into a hifi dealership and say that, for a start!
There is an awful lot of smoke and mirrors in the hifi world and I, for one, was totally taken in by it - hook, line and sinker. The last time I went into my HiFi dealer, one of the younger sales assistants said (in what he presumably thought was a joking manner) "we've had all your money so we're moving onto someone else". Hmmm.
If money really is no object and you enjoy chopping and changing then, by all means, go for it. However, I had a 10k system -from the afore-mentioned dealer- that I sold for my current 3k system and one that takes the original setup to the cleaners.
I would respectfully suggest you tread extremely carefully and trust nothing but your own ears.
Well said Atticus.
And what was you system then and now if you don't mind me asking?
Hire Wembley Arena and the Rolling Stones!
Will the OP reply or is this just another one of those 'who can come up with the most outlandish system' threads?
regards
Want to buy something with wonderful sound, clarity, top notes, warmth, bass but not too heavy, with CD, DAB, streaming, connectable to tv/pc etc, and wireless (if poss). Any excellent advice please? I've inherited some money, so can afford to spend. Thank you.
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Whatever cost? Best sound? Forget about buying hi-fi and go to all the live music you enjoy, whether it is a Symphony orchestra, jazz club, opera, rave, gamelan. It all sounds better than any hi-fi.
If you'd heard some of the bands I have, you wouldn't have put that.
Synology NAS + Audio Station - ATV2 - Benchmark DAC1 HDR - Event Opal
http://nwavguy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/what-we-hear.html