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Please recommend components for newbie with $1K

I currently have a late-90's Sony cd player, a pair of old Realistic speakers that are hand-me-downs from my father-in-law, and a Scott 418-A integrated from the mid-70's (I think) that I acquired at a pawn shop when I was an undergrad. Sounds pretty bad, so I want to upgrade. I can put in $1000 now, so I want to get speakers and an integrated amp or a receiver. I guess that gives me around $500 for each. I need the amp to have A/B speaker switching. A phono stage would be nice too, although I'm not opposed to getting a separate phono preamp in the future if necessary. This system will be a smallish room, about 14x10, 8' ceilings.

Unless I can find something used, I'm leaning toward the Marantz PM7200 integrated. Local shops have also suggested the Integra DTM 5.3 receiver. I would buy the NAD 720BEE today but it's $540 before tax.

Thanks for reading. Any amp and speaker recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
reanalyst
reubent
6,956 posts
 
Here's a possibility for you. AudioAdvisor has a pair of Wharfdale Diamond 8.3s in the Maple finish for $199! That is a screaming good deal. Also, AA has an excellent return policy, so buy them, try them, then send them back if they don't float your boat.

http://audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?Variant=1&AttribNum=1&pf_id=5745&sku=WHARFD8.3B&selAttribute_1=Maple

Since the 8.3s are floorstanders, you can save the money you would have needed for stands. Also, they have a bit better bass extension than many monitors, so you shouldn't need a sub.

So, that would leave you $800 in your budget or you could just reduce you budget and keep a bit of that money in the rainy day fund. For $500-800, you can buy a pretty decent integrated amp, maybe even one with a phono stage.

Enjoy,

TIC
76doublebass's avatar
76doublebass
254 posts
 
Try to find Paradigm Atom Speakers used they only cost maybe $100.00 A pair.Great sound for a small bookshelf.
They put out a nice midbass and very nice mid band reproduction.If u wnat something with a phono stage built in try a Hafler Music Concepts 101 Preamp with built in phono stage and use it with an Adcom amp,plus an AR Turntable with a Shure Phono cartridge and you should be right back into audio land.
rkeman
66 posts
 
Magnepan MMG and NAD C352. Add a quality subwoofer to round out the system when more funds are available. This should be a very musical system for minimal outlay and will retain value well should you wish to upgrade. Good luck!
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
An MMG w/a sub sounds like a great combination. I personally would buy something other than the Marantz you mentioned. An Arcam Alpha 10 Int. amp is for sale here at around $500. If you're considering a bookshelf spk. check out the Ascend Acoustics CMB-170. (Just ordered a pr. for my downstairs basement music room. Same size room as yours. Have a little Energy S8.2 sub which will feel in the missing bass. If this combination doesn't float my boat, I believe I'll give the MMG a try.) There are some great deals on Tannoy MX1/2/3's spks. which sound very musical. Plateau makes some really nice affordable stands if you decide on a bookshelf spk. The RT series w/silver post is very attractive. Don't forget use decent spk. wires and Interconnects. (Straightwire makes some really good affordable products. Wireworld Oasis 3 Interconnects are wonderful sounding interconnects. Great value used) Good Luck!
reanalyst OP
3 posts
 
But hang on, do you want full range or monitor speakers? what music do you listen to most, do you like alot of bass?
Chadnliz,
I wish I knew the answer to the first question, but I don't know the difference between monitors and full range speakers. Could someone explain that?

I want to be able to hear bass, but I don't need big bass boom.

I listen to a lot of rock (Richard Thompson, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Beatles, Stones, Taj Mahal) and a lot of bluegrass & folk (Richard Thompson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Gillian Welch, Del McCoury, Alison Krauss, Johnny Cash, etc).

Thanks for all the suggestions. Rkeman, the NAD C352 won't work for me because I need two sets of speaker outputs.
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