Musicrover,
There are a number of good used components that would fit into your budget. One solution I consider one of the very best values (my total system is usually in the $10K-$15k range) is the System One 2.1 by Blue Sky. I orignally read about the Blue Sky's here and those members were right on in their recommendations. Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads used it to mix the re-releases of their CD's and ended up buying a set for critical listening at home!
The System One includes fully integrated, powered monitors and a powered Sub, has received well deserved rave reviews (I have a list of reviews I can forward), is a breeze to set up, and has challenged what I think are great components in my main system. I'm amazed at how often I hear new things, or can clearly understand what was garbled or faint before in very familiar, widely ranging recordings: Modeski/Martin/Wood, Nirvana, Beethoven Symphonies, Elliott Smith, etc. Absolutely incredible dynamics and clarity for the price.
They run about $1,800 new, but you should be able to get a significant discount used, leaving about $1,000 for everything else. I ran a CD player straight into the System One (which has volume controls on each speaker) and also used a tubed preamp, both with great results. I think a turntable would be a great match with the higly resolving System One (I've owned the Musical Hall CD 25 with level two type mods from Underwood and thought it was pretty darn good too.)
One caveat: several months ago I listed a System One for sale because I couldn't use it how I originally planned, for three month stays visiting my girlfriend. After listening, I decided to hang on to it until at least the end of the year; since I currently do not have it for sale, it seemed OK to recommend what I think is genuinely a great bargain for a full range system.
Good luck and have fun!
Chris
There are a number of good used components that would fit into your budget. One solution I consider one of the very best values (my total system is usually in the $10K-$15k range) is the System One 2.1 by Blue Sky. I orignally read about the Blue Sky's here and those members were right on in their recommendations. Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads used it to mix the re-releases of their CD's and ended up buying a set for critical listening at home!
The System One includes fully integrated, powered monitors and a powered Sub, has received well deserved rave reviews (I have a list of reviews I can forward), is a breeze to set up, and has challenged what I think are great components in my main system. I'm amazed at how often I hear new things, or can clearly understand what was garbled or faint before in very familiar, widely ranging recordings: Modeski/Martin/Wood, Nirvana, Beethoven Symphonies, Elliott Smith, etc. Absolutely incredible dynamics and clarity for the price.
They run about $1,800 new, but you should be able to get a significant discount used, leaving about $1,000 for everything else. I ran a CD player straight into the System One (which has volume controls on each speaker) and also used a tubed preamp, both with great results. I think a turntable would be a great match with the higly resolving System One (I've owned the Musical Hall CD 25 with level two type mods from Underwood and thought it was pretty darn good too.)
One caveat: several months ago I listed a System One for sale because I couldn't use it how I originally planned, for three month stays visiting my girlfriend. After listening, I decided to hang on to it until at least the end of the year; since I currently do not have it for sale, it seemed OK to recommend what I think is genuinely a great bargain for a full range system.
Good luck and have fun!
Chris