Giantkiller components

$1000 is too much (that would make for a $3K system). Let's make it interesting ... let's set the bar at the $500 range ($1.5K system) and for new components.

Amps: NAD C320BEE ($400 new).

Speakers: NHT SB2 ($400 new); Omega Loudspeakers Super 3 ($540 new);

CD players: Music Hall MMF CD25 ($540 new)

Cables & Interconnects: Signal Cable; Better Cables

Regards, Rich

Magnepan speakers. krell 300i intergrated amp, Transcendent sound Grounded Grid Pre. EVS DAC or modified players. Also add Quad ESLs (which I haven't heard, but within their SPL handling are supposed to have a midrange than rivals pretty much everything). I also like the Gyro SE table for a little over a grand used (with or without arm). Also modified Regas are pretty good. Origin Live arms are $1k are pretty good too, but I haven't heard them. Not sure if any of this is "giant killer" though. But if nothing it's solid value. Probably anything that is giant killer is probably modified and not factory stock. Everyone has to cut corners somewhere to keep costs in line.

Though you can't expect to just pick and choose from our list of giant killer components and expect to assemble a system that has synergy or even meets your listening tastes or expectations. Fair warning.

Yeah, I would have to say go for the $500 offer from Magnapan. Damn hard to beat that one, even going DIY.

Keep the budget low on the digital front end and get a Toshiba 3960 or 4960 universal, even better and mod it. That would run you about $200 tops.

Then take the savings from your front end and buy a used Pathos Classic One integrated (does that have enough juice at 70 tube watts for the Maggie's). I've seen them on Audiogon for less than $1000 in the past.

Oh yeah, then go make your own cables from one of the many, many recipe's available.

Yes, I'm advocating a lot of DIY and used stuff, but that's the only way to get good performance and value these days.

Enjoy,
Bob

I have to agree with Bob on this one. Being a DIY fan myself, I saved about 2 grand on my Teres. Almost everything else I bought used, or at a substantial discount. I got my AN speakers for about 45% off because of a knocked in back corner, and he threw in a set of AN speaker cables too!

Good deals on used gear are becoming harder to find, though. That's what makes DIY so attractive. And it's more fun.

Joe

LUXMAN R-117 RECEIVER!!!!!!