Got $1000...how should I spend it?

$360 will get you a pair of Kanto ipair5 speakers, that with a ipod, fill a small room very nicely. I use this in a small office setting and am very impressed for the money. Add a Squeezebox or Apple Airport thing and you are all set. Now patience and when you finish saving for the house, get a big room that will accommodate the "big" system. Keep changing the system regularly is what then happens for most of us ;-).
Congratulations on finishing grad school - may need to provide some guidelines for the girlfriend for after the saving process - good luck to you!

Sure , easy peasey !

System 1 :

Consonance B2000X 100 wpc SS Integrated ..
Magnepan MG-2.5/R or Magnepan MG12/ planar speakers..
Paradigm PDR-8 v.4 subwoofer

well a couple hundred over ....

regards,

You’ve got a PC of some type… that could be the source with just a nice PCI sound card, or a USB/1394 sound card with analog outs. Either way you ought to get a nice one for < $250.

My M Audio delta series 24/192 new at Sam Ash was about $160 SPDIF & rca ANALOG OUTS & INs.

An Oppo player used could do, otherwise.

I like the idea of a tube pre SS amp integrated amp, or an all tube int.

Monitors seem logical too for speakerage. Where your priorities are in speakers vs front ends ought to determine how the int and speakers divide the budget.

Going active about eliminates the int portion allowing for a lot more $$$ into them. It also subtracts from some more flexible growth of the system, if you decide later on to go with passive ones. They’ll also need stands. DIY?

If you choose older speakers, you can get towers of course. Room size is gonna say something about things here.

Micro Pearls are quite decent ICs but a tad dry with SS, Audio Art work a bit better, either way but cost a bit more.

The Rat Shak 1.5M RCA ICS for $20 are surprising!

You can definitely have an enjoyable setup for $1000.
I have many such systems, and enjoy them everyday. Audiogon happens tobe a very hifi forum, and not mid-fi one like sights such as audiokarma.org, so members are joking with you, but don't give up on your quest for a good sound at that price point - it might not be a true hifi, but an enjoyable midfi at least.

I think saving up for a house is a good idea - in this economic times - housing prices won't be rising for a few years time they say.

Few loved ones can understand our obsession and the amount of $ we are willing to spend to get to the sonic-nirvanah land.

Here are some options for you for under $1000.

Also, you might want to post it at Audiokarma.org - oever there, there are many who have setup midfi systems for that money.

1) Use computer as the source - upgrade the sound card to M-Audio Audiophile 2496 for $50.

There is less jitter, so the sound is good, and it's so convenient to have all of your music in one place.

http://www.hoffmanmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=37344&eq=&Tp=

2) Audioengine A5 speakers are powered, so you don't need an amp. A little over $349 for a pair. Use the coupon "coverten" to get 10% off at the audioengine web sight. Buying there insures 3 year warrantee, and 30 days in home trial just incase you don't like them.

http://audioengineusa.com/Store;jsessionid=0a0110501f433a8903c90b9743dfbe82ad93106242e7.e3eSc3aPaxmLe34Pa38Ta38Nchb0

The total cost is less than $400

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Another option is if you don't want to take the time to reap all of your CD's to a computer, you can assemble this system for under a grand.

1) Playstation 1 as the CD player for $35 on ebay - make sure you get the model no. SCPH-1001. Sounds good - read this good review on it here :

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/leben2/system_3.html

2) Dynaco A-25 speakers off ebay for about $200.

Check this link out for other good classic vintage speakers to buy used and cheap :

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=308519

3) That leaves about $700 for an amp - and there are many good options at this price point. You can get an integrated amp for less - or you can even get saperate pre and power amps used.

A) NAD xxxbee integrated - xxx can be many model no.s - check here:

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers

Many of them show up on used market - on ebay. When you buy used gears, make sure you get one in all working condition ! Call the seller and afirm that it will not be dead on arival, or refund...

B) Post here or at Audiokarma.org for $700 amp suggestions and you will get many good other options.

4) Hook them all up with Ixos Gamma Geometry RCA and speaker wires - affordable good wires - google search for them, and you will have an enjoyable system. You will be surprised at what you can get for little money, if you are willing to go slow and do some research on the way, instead of buying something right now.

You can even chat alive on Audiokarma.org or Audioasylum.com and ask for advices, if you are a rooky and have many more questions.

Good luck to your search for a good sound, and perhaps more importantly, to your love life...

Just a quick note to add :

There is a Melody amps at ebay right now, if you miss the tube sound, that will fit into your budget.

You can get a used good classic speakers for $200 off ebay, and with a Playstation 1 CD player, you are all set.

You can get Ixos Gamma Geomatry cables here :

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/IXOSXHA716100/IXOS/Xha716-Gamma-Series-Silver-Plated-Rca-Audio-Cable-1m-3.28-feet/1.html