Doing a little research for a friend who'd like a CD player and speakers (and amp if he doesn't go with active monitors). He can't go above $1000.00 and preferably would like to spend less. He is not yet using a computer as source, so I think the CD player is a must.

I was thinking of something like this as a starting point:

NAD / PSB Package-Audio Advisor

Any thoughts?

Buy everything on Audiogon!

Used & older CDPs and integrated amps from brands like Arcam, Cambridge Audio, NAD, Rotel, et al, can be had for real bargains. All you need is time & patience to score the right deal. Count on anywhere between $400-$700 for a CDP and integrated amp, to leave between $300-$600 for mini-monitor speakers. Brands like Aperion Audio, B&W, Monitor Audio, Paradigm, PSB, et al, come to mind. If floorstanders are desired over mini-monitors, there aren't too many that will meet the budget and will sound good at the same time. And finally, leave $30 for speaker cable from Blue Jeans.

I agree that audiogon would be preferable, but I'd also like to give him a "new" option for warranty/service etc.

I think my system is pretty close to the $1k territory

HTD Level 3 bookshelf pair, $299

Hafler P1000, $200

some source, $500

Source being the tricky part, You'd have to get a good deal to repeat mine

I have a pair of canare speaker cables that I'm not using. PM me if you think youre gonna need them

The only issue -- and it's a minor one if the intended is going to place the main unit in a well-ventilated area -- is that having the transport and the power amp in the same box can sometimes cause heat issues. Never a problem for us that care about our gear, but frequently an issue with mundies.

So the intention is CDP->integrated-> passive speakers or CDP -> pre -> active speakers? And expecting reasonably high bandwidht bookshelves, as opposed to a really nice pair of bookshelves and a sub later? Nearfield listening, or full room? How loud? Type of music?

Sources

Marantz CD-5003 ($350, Audio Advisor)

Marantz DV-6001 ($250, Music Direct) (DVD player)

NAD C515BEE CDP ($300, Audio Advisor)

Oppo Digital DV-980H ($169, Music Direct) (DVD player)

Cambridge Audio Azur 540C V2 CDP ($300, Audio Advisor)

Cambridge Audio Sonata AR30 ($500, Audio Advisor)

Amps

Marantz PM-5003 int amp ($370 on b-stock, One-Call)

NAD C315BEE int amp ($350, Audio Advisor)

Onkyo A-9555 int amp ($483, B&H) ** plus tax for NY state

Cambridge Audio 340A int amp, 340T tuner, & S30 bookshelf speakers ($658, Audio Advisor)

Speakers

Audioengine A5 speakers ($350, Audioengine) (active)

Energy C-200 speakers ($150, Audio Advisor)

Epos ELS-3 speakers ($250 b-stock, Music Direct)

PSB Alpha B1 ($237 b-stock, Audio Advisor)

Cheapest system: Oppo DV-980 + NAD C315BEE + Energy C-200, $669

System that might sound better and will be more adept with more speakers: Marantz CD-5003 + Onkyo A-9555 + Energy C-200, $983

- add ~$30 for a pair of Blue Jeans RCA interconnects

Wow, that is very helpful info! Thanks!

The only issue -- and it's a minor one if the intended is going to place the main unit in a well-ventilated area -- is that having the transport and the power amp in the same box can sometimes cause heat issues. Never a problem for us that care about our gear, but frequently an issue with mundies.

So the intention is CDP->integrated-> passive speakers or CDP -> pre -> active speakers? And expecting reasonably high bandwidht bookshelves, as opposed to a really nice pair of bookshelves and a sub later? Nearfield listening, or full room? How loud? Type of music?

Dusty, he listens to jazz, indie rock, punk rock, and assorted other genres. It's a relatively large space, though, I don't know the square footage. But it's an open floorplan type environment. My guess is he'll want something high bandwith. He's not against floorstanders, but I'm not sure he has the budget for those.

My 2

That 320 BEE is a great deal. I owned one for years, and it never disappointed. Robust, good sounding, clean, and loud.

Dusty, he listens to jazz, indie rock, punk rock, and assorted other genres. It's a relatively large space, though, I don't know the square footage. But it's an open floorplan type environment. My guess is he'll want something high bandwith. He's not against floorstanders, but I'm not sure he has the budget for those.

used ProAc Tablette Signature 50 w/ outlaw receiver or used NAD 370/372 or any one of Rega's used offerings. your friend can add a sub in the future.

Speakers: EMP E5Ti Impression Series Speakers $400.00

EMP E5Ti Impression Series Speakers First Look - Unbelievable Value — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Amp: Emotiva UPA-2 $300.00

Emotiva Audio UPA-2 Two Channel Power Amplifier

CDP: Emotiva ERC-1 $400.00

Emotiva Audio ERC-1 Reference Compact Disc Player

That

This thread is turning out to be really useful to me. It's nice to be able to tell people that they can have a musically satisfying system that will put most of the off the shelf stuff to shame for around $1k.

How do you folks feel about PSB speakers?

I'm having a harder time with this one, but see my post in the Moving To Monitors thread, some of the information still applies (esp. Focal/JM Labs & Dali).

A new Peachtree Decco is about $600 because the Nova replaced it. Some speakers and an ok CDP as transport could make for good times. And he can stare at the toob while listening to indie punk jazz!

And he can stare at the toob while listening to indie punk jazz!

He can spin that little known Miles Davis/Pixies/Black Flag collaboration.

a friend listens to an older Wadia CDP (the 302 has digital volume control) and powered Meridian speakers (DSP3100). it's a rather serviceable system...

and for audiophiles, 1k means monthly outlay, since there is no such thing as a one-time purchase for an audiophile...

but if you really aim to keep it all below once_$1k you should also consider Magnepan MMG speakers and all-in-one boxes from reputable audio purveyors that combine radio, CDP, and amp in one.

The Maggies have always interested me. Would they need a sub?

They'd need a sub and an amp with balls

How do you folks feel about PSB speakers?

I love them. I truly do. Musical, extremely well built, I sold them for two years. I've owned a pair for 5, and never upgraded them. I briefly bought a great pair of Usher BE718 to replace my Platinum M2 monitors, and decided against it. PSB's entry level, especially, is far ahead of the curve.

I love them. I truly do. Musical, extremely well built, I sold them for two years. I've owned a pair for 5, and never upgraded them. I briefly bought a great pair of Usher BE718 to replace my Platinum M2 monitors, and decided against it. PSB's entry level, especially, is far ahead of the curve.

How are their entry level floor standers?

ok,

why not just take your DAC and a laptop to a store and audition a system there.

Source first, baby.

...if you dont have a laptop, borrow one from a friend maybe

Speakers are more complex than headphones, as they rely heavily on the room unless you're listening only nearfield.

To your point, Dinny, the Alpha T1s are very good, and tailored for the client who is in the market for them. Reasonably linear response, sloping slightly down on top and slightly up on bottom, with a wide dispersion pattern, making room placement easy. You can back them right up against a wall and they still sound pretty decent. They're one of the most music oriented towers in their price range, as most everything else in that range is geared towards boomy home theater.

Plus, I think they look good in Maple. The black looks tacky to me, but black almost always does (forgive me, master dust).

ok,

why not just take your DAC and a laptop to a store and audition a system there.

Source first, baby.

...if you dont have a laptop, borrow one from a friend maybe

Are you offering this advice to my friend who doesn't have a computer as source or a DAC?