What system components would you buy if...........

If held to a similar budget:
Merlin VSM speakers; Atma-sphere M60 MkII amps; Bent Audio transformer pre-amp; Hagerman Trumpet phono amp; Teres 255 TT w/ Expressimo arm & Shelter 501(?) cartridge; Sony 777ES SACD; Cables - not sure what would work best but would start with trying Cardas or Van Den Hul or Acoustic Zen.

If I won the lottery budget:
Rockport Hyperion or Kharma Exquisite speakers; Tenor 75w Amps; Boulder 2010 pre and 2008 phono amps; Rockport Sirius III TT; Clearaudio Insider or Koetsu Onyx Platinum cartridge (or both, to play depending on my mood); Audio Aero Capitole II CDP; Modified Sony xa777ES SACD; Nordost Valhalla cables or Purist Dominus or Transparent Opus or Siltech G5, depending on which sounded best; a dedicated listening room.

Twl:

WOW "Twl", this makes for an interesting thread. A fun one too, I might add:

But now, if I didn't had my current system, and I had to build a new system from scratch with the budget range I am working with right now (from $5,000.00 to about $15,000.00), then here's what I would spend my doe on:

Speaker System: Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures (endcaps in lacquered cherry or rosewood)
Power Amplifier: McCormack Power-Drive DNA-0.5 (Special Edition)(used)
Preamplifier: McCormack ALD-1 (Special Edition)(used)
FM Tuner: Magnum Dynalab Etude (with gold face plate)(used)
FM Antenna Amplifier: Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
FM Antenna: Magnum Dynalab ST-2
Compact Disc Player: Sony SCD-777ES (used)
D/A Processor/Converter: Musical Fidelity A3 (for redbook CD playback)
Phono Stage: AcousTech PH-1 (Special Edition)
Turntable/Arm System: VPI TNT Jr./JMW Memorial 10.5
Phono Cartridge: Grado Reference Master
Cables: MIT Shotgun Series (both interconnects and speaker cables)
Power Protection and Conditioning: PS Audio Power Plant P-1200

But now, if I were to either come across an inheritance from a rich relative or should I ever win the lottery, then this is what I would blow my riches on:

Speaker System: Sonus Faber Amati Homage (in maple)
Power Amplifier: Mark Levinson No.33H Monoblocks
Preamplifier: Mark Levinson No.32 Reference
FM Tuner: Magnum Dynalab MD-108 Tube/Solid-State Hybrid Tuner
FM Antenna Amplifier: Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
FM Antenna: A Professionally Installed Roof Antenna
Compact Disc Player: Accuphase DP-85
Phono stage: Aesthetix lo (Signature Version with its own volume control)
Turntable/Arm System: VPI TNT V-HR/JMW Memorial 2.2
Phono Cartridge: Clearaudio Discovery
Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference (both interconnects and speaker cables)
Power Cords: Cardas Golden Reference
Power Protection and Conditioning: Equi=Tech Model 5Q

These components just listed would be the ones I would buy today if I didn't already have a system installed in my residence, and if I were to put together an audio system from scratch. Both, a "real world" system and a very expensive "super" system are both listed. And those would be the systems I would assemble if I again, did not have a system already installed in my home, and would buy if I had to make due with a "real world" system, as well as the system I would buy if I was rich.

Now.......... was that fun or what?????

--Charles--

Okay, I guess it's my turn to divulge my alternate choices.

If I didn't have the Teres, I'd buy either a
Redpoint Audio TestaRossa, or a
Progressive Engineering turntable.
(Cost no object, would be a Walker Proscenium)

If I couldn't have a OL Silver arm, I'd get an
OL Encounter
(Cost no object would be the arm included on the Walker)

If I had to change cartridges from my Shelter 501, I'd buy a
Shelter 901
(Cost no object would still be a Shelter 901)

If I didn't have the Cotter MkII step up, I'd get a
Shelter 411 Step up transformer
(Cost no object would be a Expressive Technologies SU-1)

If I didn't have the MFA Magus preamp, then I'd get a
Counterpoint SA-5000 (if cost were no object, I'd get an Aesthetix IO phono section with volume controls)

If I didn't have the custom Berning amp,anything in the world would be a step down, but I guess I'd get a
Berning Siegfried Single ended 811 amp
(Cost no object would be the amp I have now, Berning custom)

If I couldn't have Lowther Voight Pipes, I'd buy the
Lammhorn 1.8 with AER drivers.
(Cost no object would be Lammhorn 1.8 with Reps-1 drivers.)

How's that?
Fun, huh? Decisions, decisions!

Well...I would keep it very simple...Linn Classik amp/cd unit...Reference 3a speakers.....