Budget approx 5k? I would buy a pair of Beethovens first, and then start out with around a 3K integrated. You can get a BAT or Rowland integrated for around $3K-$4K. You could get a Classe CP-60 preamp and CA-200 amp for under $3K. You would be better served spending the extra $2K upgrading your speakers than in the electronics, IMHO. I'm not saying that electronics aren't important, belive me, they are. I just believe if you spend $5K on electronics then you'll be unhappy with your speakers, because they won't really be able to show off your electronics.
That's just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. I started with the Beethovens and have since moved up to the Strauss, no regrets. I do remember listening to the Mozarts when I auditioned the Beethovens, and really stretching to make the Beethovens happen. I think the Beethovens were a larger improvement over the Mozart's than the Strauss over the Beethoven's.
Regards,
John
That's just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. I started with the Beethovens and have since moved up to the Strauss, no regrets. I do remember listening to the Mozarts when I auditioned the Beethovens, and really stretching to make the Beethovens happen. I think the Beethovens were a larger improvement over the Mozart's than the Strauss over the Beethoven's.
Regards,
John