Recommended one make systems?

Audio Note, you can begin with their basic system and upgrade to your hearts, if not your wallets, content(s).

I also grew up in the South with plenty of music all around, though primarily spritual. Yes, it seemed like everyone preached, played an instrument, sang, or a combination. And that was just my family. There was always singing and playing around, and I eventually participated myself, though I pretty much gave it up when I decided that I was not capable of being the best singer that ever lived.

Though some may criticize and/or disagree, I am fairly basic when it comes to listening to music, especially appreciative of equipment that just puts through what comes off the source. The reproduction of the energy, emotion, and the altering experience is what drew me to high end audio in the first place. And no processed to be beautiful reproduction can replicate the true live music expereince. Of course, not all performers or performances are going to result in a magical experience (some are really boring).

Although there may be many brands that can boogie, I will mention Odyssey. I think their preamps, amps, and speakers are capable of reproducing that intangible aspect of live music that many miss. It is good stuff, though not particularly expensive. For a digital source, I thought the Rega Apollo could really scrap, and I assume the Saturn would be the same but better. I have also been very impressed with the musical capabilities of the Ayre CX-7. In fact, it is pretty good in various audiophile parameters too, and not sterile, flat, and unexciting as most digital gear I have sampled.

For cables, I have been through the combine as many others, though am not rich enough to have tried the very expensive fair. For me, the overall best I have found is Shunyata: The Aries IC is neutral, energetic, resolving and smooth. And the PCs all seem to let the components do what they can do, with added refinements and extension seeming to come as you go up the line (never tried the Anaconda).

As far as I can tell so far, none of the items mentioned above (especially the Shunyata, Odyssey electronics, and Ayre) are going to be good for adding color, weight, or anything else if that's what you are looking for. But IMHO, they will reproduce the essence of musical performance when it is on the source.

I listened to an all in one system that sounded good and wouldn't break the bank. Rega is known for good budget stuff. They would match and you can audition them in one place. Turntables, integrateds, tuners, speakers, cd players. They are always for sale here- usually someone is working their way up in this crazy hobby. Seems like they have a synergy from the get go. Good luck

Personally, 1 brand system is a good thing 4 people who love music and want no fuss. And it tends to have higher WAF factor. Never found Linn to be good sound value 4 dollar..but works well. looks good. If you like Krell sound. they match well together. I ended up with almost all MBL. didn.t want to, but synergy too good. I tried not to but I don.t argue with my ears. I think Rega would be great 4 start.

Cheers,
C

The real reason that Rega is always for sale is that people don't really like that numb wool blanket sound. It sure ain't live sounding. Clearly the true all one brand but without a Turntable are those boom box stacks with everything all wired up already no fancy pants cables. They take a little getting used to but its really about the music right?
Don't we spend our time talking about which pressing of Apalachian Spring is really the best and why. Also if the small original piece conveys the essence of what Copland trully intended to convey versus the big orchestral long version which is more mellodramatic. Jeeze every post you see is about one piece of music or great new music one after another.
Come off it will you guys. Get your above calling people who enjoy the art of putting together a good system for it's sonics for the simple minded dear Professor. This unsophisticated obsession with the toys is primarily what this site is about. Honestly we all know live sound is what you think sounds live emphasis on think. Beyond which there isn't anything that I ever heard, that sounded as if there were really a live orchestra in the kitchen. Sure some solo instrumental pieces I guess would sound similar.
What is important is that you like it.
Audio note for a guy who is not really in this deep is like asking a guy who usually thinks a perfectly sodded lawn is pleasing to think he rather be in a cramped rock garden. Most people really start off liking a saturated warm colored euphonic sound, with a touch ofextra bass even audiophiles seem to like sound effect bass, given all the subs people talk about.
Therefore I am sorry to inform you that the best single make is Accuphase but you have to sell your house to get all the pieces and those quads will need to be replaced by something like Pipedream line arrays. Yes I know they aren't made by Accuphase.
For just a tad less you could get the starter amps and everything else from McIntosh even the speakers.
Then Krell but not that silly excuse for a real Krell amp. Go for it, get the big monoblocs they have everything else too, speakers and all , All these will get your toes tapping as you avoid the bill collector!