So you can go to a dealer, and buy new, and it will sound great because you’ll be able to hear it all first, and make sure it sounds great. Or you can buy used, and save a ton of money, but then you have to resell stuff that doesn’t work. Problem is, unless you buy local, the shipping costs are going to take most of your cash, so used isn’t much help. If you are buying local, though, then many sellers are more than happy to share their thoughts and knowledge, and that includes letting you come and listen, before you buy. That’s true of dealers too: many hifi dealers do it because they love music. I’ve gotten used kit from dealers that had upgraded their big spending clients. (I am a very little fish). Don’t rush. Unless they’ve been abused, speakers don’t really get worse with age. I have a set of 20 year old meridians and they are the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard. So that's $25,000 of speakers (in 1995 dollars) for ~$1400. I can't give you specific recommendations for Opera. But for me, buying used has been very rewarding.
Just getting started on a budget and need bookshelf speakers/receiver now
I am poor and need some bookshelf speakers and a receiver, all for around $600-$700. I know this is a surely a travesty for most of you because you are professionals, but... I have to start somewhere and won't come into much more money anytime soon. I currently have Infinity Reference 2000-3 speakers and a Yamaha RX-395 receiver. I listen to CLASSICAL music and OPERA. I'd like to have the speakers and a receiver that can handle bluetooth, my cd player, the tv and computer. I've looked at Kanto YU6, Cambridge Audio SX-60, ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 and MartinLogan Motion LX16. But I don't know if these speakers are better than what I've got (I have to think they are since mine are ancient). I know you will probably say "just save your money," but that won't work. Can you please help me?