Well, since my living situation will be changing soon, I thought now might be a good time to start contemplating a speaker rig. I'm not sure of the living arrangement yet, but anticipate a typical 2 bedroom apartment for at least a year. My intention would be to use the Opus 21 as source, and the Zana can serve as a preamp. I know very little about speakers/amplification, so given a modest budget of $1000 for speakers/amp, what would you all suggest I look into?

Focal tend to have good speakers at every price point, I would definitely look there.

What sort of listening space are you going to have? Nearfield? Loud? Why is there air? Floorstanders or 2.1? What is the meaning of life?

Quad 12L + SVS sub OR Quad 21L would be another couple choices.

I managed to snag my Shahinian Obelisks for less than a thou, but that's rare -- they usually go for more.

Haven't heard, but've been meaning to: Aurum Cantus.

For a grand you can get a sounding pairing of Parasound and PSB. Get the amp used.

Either Parasound HCA-1000A or HCA-1200.

For speakers Saturday Audio

Has great prices on new PSB T45 towers and B25 moniters.

Thanks Tom, I will look into the Parasounds. And Saturday Audio is in my area so that's even better. I knew of them but forgot. Thanks.

Keep the suggestions coming.

What about some Meadowlarks:

AudiogoN ForSale: Meadowlark Audio Kestrel Hot Rods

Another good combination of amp/speakers I have heard at local dealer is Jolida tubed int. amps with triangle speakers. They have lots of choices of each brand in your price range.

What about some Meadowlarks:

AudiogoN ForSale: Meadowlark Audio Kestrel Hot Rods

The only thing that might be bad is since they have been out of business since 05, you might want to check how available, and who has spare parts...just in case.

The only thing that might be bad is since they have been out of business since 05, you might want to check how available, and who has spare parts...just in case.

drivers and crossover parts are readily available from any supplier, such as Madisound.

Either Parasound HCA-1000A or HCA-1200.

The HCA-1200 is a helluvanamp. If mine wasn't destroyed when our basement flooded in SD I would still have that baby.

if you can raise your budget a little, these with this.

Excellent recommendation!

If your into used, I'd say you get some JBL 4311's or JBL L-100's. They sound great with good power behind them and can be had for way under $1,000.00.

Magnepan MMG: $599

Magnepan MMG: $599

Anybody here have any impressions? At that price it's tempting to just buy them (but we most get a bigger house before I can get back into speakers).

Anybody here have any impressions? At that price it's tempting to just buy them (but we most get a bigger house before I can get back into speakers).

krrm,

There's a whole thread over "there."

Heard Magnepans for the first time today

Thanks, I'll spend some time with that thread.

So I'm thinking of going with the PSB Image T55 Towers here:

T55 Towers

And powering them with this:

Emotiva Audio XPA-2 2 Channel Audio Power Amplifier

Thoughts? Comments?

Or this:

NAD C272

Vandersteen's are awesome. Can't go wrong with those!

What about Vandersteen 1B's?

Or KEF Q65's?

Or Magnepan MG-IIIA's?

Probably not the 1B's - found a review online that didn't give them many props.

Stereophile: Vandersteen Audio 1B loudspeaker

I've always loved Vandy's. I wouldn't go with anything smaller than the 2 series. If it wasn't for the WAF factor I would probably own the Vandersteen 5.

I picked up the NAD C272 and the PSB T55's today. Still tinkering with placement, but so far I like them. More to foollow when I'm not typing on this tiny Eee PC.

Glad you like your purchase. Please post your impressions as I would always like to expand my list of possible candidates. Congrats on the successful purchase.