Anyone else feel left out?

Sure, what you're talking about is certainly possible and quite a few people here have put together systems in that price range that are extremely enjoyable. It takes obsessive monitoring of the used equipment ads, lots of auditioning and/or swapping out of gear to find what suits you and being honest with yourself about both what your really hear and what you can afford.

I'm absolutely thrilled with my current setup. It replaced a much more expensive batch of gear when I moved into a much smaller space and the sound is better in every way, mostly because I'd learned a lot in the couple of years between putting together the two systems. Here's what I've got, with the prices I paid, all used:

ProAc Response 1s speakers - $525
HSU VTF-2 subwoofer - $350
Audio Refinement Complete integrated - $550
Music Hall CD25 with opamp upgrade - $400
Dh Labs Air Matrix interconnect - $100
Dh Labs Q10 shotgun biwire cables - $225
Sanus speaker stands, sand filled - $130

I like everything about what I'm now hearing and am content to wait until I can spend three times the money to try to make an improvement.

There could be literally hundreds of combinations of high-quality, fairly-priced stuff that have a similar total cost. It just takes some effort to find the one that thrills you. Finding that combination for yourself at a price you consider a real bargain has its own satisfaction, beyond the satisfaction you'll get from the listening.

Jw:
Rsbeck makes a very valid suggestion. But in the more traditional approach, I would suggest that there is a middle ground that can be very satisfying.

It takes patience, but attractive deals do come along. You must know what you are looking for and be prepared to jump without hesitation.

Believing that Robert Harley was right in stating the importance of not underestimating the importance of source components, I have put the bulk of my budget there, and I am admittedly well over your budget allocation (by close to a factor of four). But other than that, I have stayed within your figures. I bought a pair of used Martin Logans in excellent condition for well under your budget. I have a tube Pre (yes, it was a screaming deal) and a modest but well reviewed SS amp both of which are under your budget. My cabling is mostly DIY (Canare) and modest Audioquest.

So, the only place I have broken your budget constraints is my front end. My DAC is an Audio Logic M34 and transport is a CEC TL2. Both of these are pieces that you will find highly praised in the discussion forums. I feel that overspending here has been $ well spent.

The only item that my heart really longs for is a pair of tube MonoBlocks. Rogue M120s are a likely candidate and have been seen here at what I think you and I would agree were affordable prices. Yes, I would also like a new digital cable....but I can be patient and wait for a deal.

For my tastes in music and the listening levels that I prefer (very seldom over 85db), this system brings me a lot of pleasure, and has not broken my bank account.

There are many here who can make very good recommendations and do regularly. I don't think the point is the recommendations (though I would gladly detail my system if you wish) because everyone's taste is different. I do think that what is important is doing your own homework in line with your own tastes, absorbing the recommendations and the market values, and then making a plan of action and executing it.

In my family room upstairs I am currently enjoying a Musical Fidelity A3 CD player ($500 used), a Blue Circle CS integrated ($1149 new), and Energy C7 speakers ($ 700 used). It would suit your musical tastes very well, and is reasonably good looking stuff to boot.

My system (used prices) falls within your budget constraints and I'm pretty damn happy with it.

Personally I think that a pretty good system can be put together for that amount (2500+/-) many people have done it here and there is an abundance of threads where people talk about the "budget" systems. Sure...people talk about the high $$$ gear also, but that is just the level they are at...where else are they gonna talk about it?

I think that part of the fun of this hobby is in the creation of the sub 3k 2 channel system that brings more enjoyment than a comparably priced surround system that clutters many of todays living rooms.

Someday though...I'll limit myself to 10-15k...but that's still alot less than some cables out there.

happy listening

Ellery

There are plenty of reco's here for less expensive gear. All you have to do is search the archives.
Audioreview.com also has much more information on receivers and more affordable gear. The Asylum does also. They're constantly championing Home Depot speaker cable and $69 DVD players as being worth 100X the price. You simply have to learn how to navigate through the archives. It's all been asked before.

This reminds me of one of those letters in Stereophile complaining about reviewing too much expensive equipment. Maybe Car and Driver should do a write up on my 1987 Chevy Celebrity SW! Yeah baby!!!

Cheers,
John