buying a stereo for my 16 yr. old

I think Winoguy may be talking about the Reference 500 series, which the UK buff mags said was pretty good, competitive at its price point. Doesn't really appeal to the audiophile market, but to those who want "good sound" (pleasant and tuneful without worrying too much about fidelity). The price is coming down, I'd guess, because TEAC is coming out with a new model.

Doug is talking about the Reference 100 mini-system, about $169 at Costco, and very good for a kitchen or bedroom system. I bought one for my 11 year old. Even better, my father in law has one to which I hooked up old Monitor Audio md300 large bookshelf speakers, and it sounds great. Very deep and wide soundstage, fair imaging and smooth frequency response. Not the last word in detail, but a killer for $169 plus the value of the surplus speakers.

If you want it simple and good sounding...

The NAD L40, B-stock from Q-Audio in Cambridge MA, for about 250, a pair of the small Paradigm speakers or any similar small speaker and decent wire, and you have excellent sound, remote, cd & tuner all for around 400.

If you want to be really cool, have the speakers be gallo micros or blueroom minipods

Last year, I bought the TEAC Reference PD-H300 CD player to use in my office, and I've been quite pleased with it. Subsequently, I recommended the "300" Reference series of components to my company's Buyer, who had been asked to assemble a decent but inexpensive system for use in our company lunchroom. The Reference 3-disk CD player and integrated amp (50 wpc, as I recall) that she bought for the lunchroom system has performed just fine (the speakers in this system are an old pair of B&W DM602's that I donated). Based on these experiences, I bought a TEAC Reference system for my wife's office: the same CD player I have in my office, plus the 30-wpc integrated amp, and the tuner. My wife has a fairly critical ear, and has been very happy with the system (which includes a pair of Snell monitors).

The one caveat I'd give you is to buy the 50-wpc integrated amp (unless you intend to buy the receiver), AND get some fairly efficient speakers (I'm using a pair of Krix Equinox speakers, which are rated about 90db efficient). Kids tend to listen to music at fairly high volume levels, and this can lead to clipping and distortion which can burn out the speaker (usually the tweeter). Buying the higher output power amp, and combining it with more efficient speakers, may avoid this problem. Do caution your teenager, however, that this system is NOT intended to be played at public address system levels.

READ THIS DAD!USED 2 chanel reciever unless he wants surround sound in his college dorm room than I sugest a Yamaha RXV420 ($300) with a single play DVD (less repair worries).If he/she wants a carousel player $200 gets a Onkyo Integra w/3 year warranty.At the hifi shop where I woprk we've had one going 6 years straight.Then what ever speakers the budget affords.If it's a college drom hard to beat the single play Denon DM30-S($450) that comes with mission speakers.Is way compact with full features like alarm,two sets of tape inputs/outs,optical out and a sub out.Throw a compact Yamaha $160 sub and it's compact and rocks in a very refined way.If it's a she if she see's it she'll want it-you hear it you'll want it for her.Hell i can sell it to you as I have an extra in my house if I've made my case.Seriously it's great for dorms!

I would recoment a Pioner sx-750 or luxman receiver or OLD Marantz some can be had for a hundred or so and they have great phono section,and great tuners ! add a cd , TT and a pair of ADS 710's and you will have a mini audiophile system . The cheap new stuff has no guts ! The teac will be in somesones yard sale for $ 20.00