What do you recommend for less than $3000

Guys, thanks for the replies.

I've managed to catch a listen to both the Spendor 3/5 and Totem Model that was recommended by Gunbei and at the moment these speakers interest me the most in terms of performance, size and availability (saw a used pair Model 1 for about $1k and I also got an offer for the 3/5 for about $550).

As far as I know these mini's take some amount of power to drive them although I am not too sure about how fussy these speakers in terms of placement will be, I would not have dedicated stands in the bedroom so they'll be on a shelf.

Do you have any recommendations on the electronics that would best match the Spendor and Totem's.

I would 2nd the ProAcs, either Tablettes new for $1200 or 1SC's used for about the same price. The Arcam CD73 was the product of the year last year for Hi-Fi Mag I think, for $700. And the Arcam A65+ for $600, or the A80 for $1200 are great integrated amps. I also agree the NAD is a good integrated for the money, but prefer the Arcam sound. I was at a Christmas party last night, we were listening to jazz, mainly Coltrane and Miles on Tablettes, with a CD73 and A80 and I'm always amazed how good they sound together. The 1st time I heard that setup was with a Rega P3 TT playing jazz and you get an amazing smooth picture painted before you. Not the most dynamic, and won't play the loudest or go the lowest, but really detailed and smooth, especially for horns.

Good luck whatever you decide,
Friz

I picked up a Rotel RX-1052, rotel RCD-1072 cd player and a pair of Dynaudio 52SE speakers and have been very please with the set up, very easy to listen to, very musical. the CD player to a little time to smooth out. I find that I am listening to the tuner, jazz on public radio, more than I expected, thought the primary source has been CD and vinyl.

"dtanclim@hotmail.com":

Since you only listen to jazz instrumentals and vocals, then this would be the system I would look into:

Speaker System: Totem Model 1 -- $1,000.00
Integrated Amplifier: Music Hall Mambo -- $1,300.00
Compact Disc Player: Rega Planet -- $300.00 (used)
Cables: Cardas 300B -- $96.00 (new) or you can probably get these used for about $48.00 or so at "www.usedcables.com"

Speaker Cables: Cardas Twinlink -- $120.00 (new) or you can probably get these used for about $60.00 or so at "www.usedcables.com"

And if you either have enough left over in your budget, or if you can stretch your budget by about another $200.00 or so, you can factor in some decent stands for your Totem Model 1's as well.

Good Luck and Happy Listening!!!!!

--Charles--

Blue Sky System One 2.1 $1895,

Arcam CD82T $1199,

The elegance of simplicity, a 12inch subwoofer and 2 powered monitors, this is a full range system that impresses with its outstanding parts quality. Its bass management controller acts as the remote volume preamplifier and allows you to "calibrate" the subwoofer to satellite crossover to get get perfect integration.

The Arcam is a first rate CD player. There are several reviews.

As a system it will be difficult to get a more dynamic or refined full range system for $3000 . Cables come with speakers and I'm sure you have a set of interconnects around you could use. You'll need $100 for stands or wallmounts.

For bedroom listening the System One may be too engaging in its studio monitor lineage to relax and go to sleep too. The systems only weakness. for your application.

I'm a dealer for both manufacturers, Its a double edge sword carrying products you like. :)