please help a rookie

Read the thread "the most important piece in a stereo system" as this will guide you on how to allocate your budget.

You have two general categories to pick from: dynamic cone driver system or planar system. Both have pros and cons, but your room 20'x15' will accomodate either.

Having said that, I like the recommendation for the Rogue integrated at 1400 used, if you can get one. Run it in triode and match it up with a pair of efficient Coincident or Silverline speakers. Use a Rega Planet 2000 cdp (700 used) and Coincident IC, power cable and spkr. cables (500 used).

For a planar system, consider a Magnepan 1.6qr (1200 used), Plinius 8100 integrated (1200 used) and the above cdp and cables.

Hi Dandreescu.

1) Decide on your TOTAL budget. Don't forget to consider room treatment, speaker stands, cabling, rack, tweaks, dedicated AC lines. Whatever you initially spend is only the ante. You will find the need to make changes and additions as you gain experience. For that reason, it is best if you can gain sufficient knowledge/confidence to buy used. That way, when you are ready to make a change, you can sell something without taking a bath.

2) Mike C. is right on- speakers first. Most importantly, the choice of speakers will determine what kind of amplification you will need. My advice- stick with speakers that have a "benign" impdedance curve (i.e. 8 Amp nominal, without dips below 4 or 5A). This will simplify your life greatly, end up costing you less money, and give you much greater flexibility. I use Spendor speakers (BC1s driven by 30W OTL tube amp)and can't recommend these highly enough. Check out their website (do a google search). This is a company with tradition and standards.

3) You owe it to yourself to listen to tubes. There are very good and inexpensive integrated tube amps that come up on Audiogon with some regularity. One I am thinking of is the Pathos (I've seen it for about $1100). Also consider Antique Sound Labs. Solid state, you could go with a Classe CAP80 for well less than a $1000 (as long as you don't need monster power).

4) DO NOT skimp on the source. If your source fouls things up, there is no way to make up for it. If I was considering how to divy up $4000, I might go with $1800 source (you can get a very good used CD player for this), $1000 integrated, $1000 speakers. Set aside $1000 for the other things you will need.

Good luck, and post progress reports.

Just get everything on Audiogon and your budget 'll be given a bit more breathing room. The A3 and the B&W's I've tried and were too bright together... The B&W line has that titanium tweeker, which usually needs a neutral to smooth sounding amp and source. Stay away from the 600 series, the 800 series are great, especially the 805. The Musical Fidelity A3 is a wonderful integrated with the right speakers (i have owned it). The A300 would probably work better in your room though. Try to put about the same amount of money in amp/speaker/source because if you cheap out on one, you will hear it!! For cables, I've tried lots of stuff and I've settled on the Virtual Dynamics stuff (audition package would be great for you)

Also, I would definitely try out some different speakers.. The B&W sound is very special, but there is SO much more out there. But if you're heart-set on the line, the 805 is a wise choice.

I guess I forgot about the CD player. The Rotel RCD-991 sells used for about half of its $1300 list price ($650). It has dual Burr Brown's best ever K grade 20 bit chips, which can stand up to any 24 bit chip; and has HDCD. Has a hint of high end at the price of a budget player when purchased used. Put it in your rack near the amp to save money on a shorter used 0.6 Meter Nordost Red Dawn interconnect to go with it, or a Siltech ST-18G3.

Where in SC?? We're practically neighbors!!!

I am in Columbia at Law School presently, and I have a pair of B&W Nautilus 805s, a Rega Planet CD, and A Rogue Tempest Integrated (love the tubes) and a Cary SLI-80 Sig integrated(tubes again) as well (alas, one will have to go soon!).

I second most all of the recommendations, except the ones that said that high power solid state is the way to go. I am currently using the Cary in triode, 40 watts per side, and it is PLENTY loud. The Rogue in triode at 30 watts per side was also PLENTY loud, but I have a medium sized room. AS previously mentioned, I will ahve to sell one of my amps soon, but if you're close, you're welcome to come over and play!!!

I love the sound of the Nautilus 805 with tubes, I feel that I have gotten more music from the speakers with a tube amp.
You could buy a system like mine on the used market for roughly what you have to spend (maybe not the speaker cables), and still have $$ for a rug (I use a flokati wool rug on my hardwood floor), and i would recommend a rug of some sort most definately, along with something on the walls...

Anyway, I have the speakers I suspect you want, if you really like the B&W sound, there's not much better at roughly $1500 used. I have a couple of amps lying around, and as I said, if you like, you are welcome to email me privately at g13@bellsouth.net if you are interested in making a trip to Columbia sometime soon to listen!!

good luck!!

Joe