Best system under 5K - that is a challenge

Ha, Ha...! My nephiew just asked me to build him a 2ch system with just only $500. what's more challenging?

For $500 all you could do is hunt for a super price on a CD player, integrated amp, and then, to really pick up some gains for the money, build some 2 way kit speakers.

On the original thread, it didn't even specify how many sources, but my amp and speakers were $1,500 each new(Biro L/1's/Van Alstine Fet/Valve 350hc hybrid tube/ss amp), my preamp a little under a $1,000 (Van Alstine hybrid), my DAC $1,000, plus a Parasound transport for $200 on closeout. Breaks the bank a little, but I've loved it for 5 years now. My Fanfare tuner is nice too but not included, and I'm using some old runs of Kimber 4PR I've had laying around for years. The Fet/Valve's don't care what cable is on'em, they just plow right through it. I've got some jon risch DIY room treatments too, another $50.

Whether it is two channel, 5.1, 7.1, analogue or digital source is up to you. I am looking to see the selection criteria and the constraints imposed by a $5K budget. This would open up the field of suggestions for multiple applications - the kind of question that may reveal a great diamond in the rough!! You may also suggest different system changes for different music - BOTTOM LINE, IT IS UP TO U!!!

Used Revel F-30's ($2200, Bryston 4B-ST($1400)used, Toshiba SD-9200 DVD($600.00)new, $800 left for a pre-amp and wires..............or..........Musical Fidelity integrated with B&W 805's and $1000.00 CD.

Salsero, nobody who is a member of Audiogon pays full retail for their equiptment. Also, with mainstream electronics their is a difference between "street price" and "retail price." Furthermore, most dealers give some type of a discount or "throw" in something like cables. Anyway, I'll take the bait:

Coincident Victorys 4,600.00*

Antique Sound Labs Wave mono amps 200.00

Sony CDP with output level control 150.00-200.00 (see below)

2 feet of the best speaker cable you can get for 50.00

(*maybe Coincident will give you 2 feet of their CST since you paid full retail for their speakers, if they do beg for an IC too, otherwise use what came with the CDP!)