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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
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
A lower sensitivity spk. will require more power to sound as loud as a spk. w/higher sensitivity. 86dB vs. 89dB, twice as much power for the 86dB spk. to sound as lond as the spk. rated for 89dB. However, these are only numbers which may or may not be an accurate figure. Also, these figures tend to be higher when the spk. is placed in a room. Bookshelf spks. are generally less sensivity than floorstanders. Sealed design less sensitive than one which is ported. The Arcam is rated 170w @ 4ohm I believe. Not too int. amps will drive a lower ohm spk. unless you spend much more. Considering your budget the Arcam would be a fine choice. Regarding last question, it would depend on the spk. Another 6ohm spk. would drop the impedance to 3ohm. I'd bet the Arcam could handle this but you might want to contact the Arcam. Also, the impedance curve of a spk. is not constant figure. It varies all over the frequency range. Hope this helps. Bill
siliab
362 posts
 
I set up a fantastic system for my son that was substantially less expensive than $1k. It features a pair of Vandersteen 1Bs with stands (used-$200/pr.), a 25 wpc NAD integrated amp (used-$150), a Sony SACD 5 disc changer ($125 @ Best Buy), Audioquest budget interconnects and speaker cable ($75.00), and an equipment stand ($120 from AudioAdvisor). This set up is unfailingly musical regardless of program material. He uses it in his 12' x 14' bedroom, where it sounds equally great cranking Rage Against the Machine, as it does mellowing out with Damien Rice (my selection, not his).
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Used Vandersteen 2ci and Audio Refinement Complete would come in right around $1K and give a real taste of the high end. Not really heavy metal rockers, but perfect for blues, folk, bluegrass and most of the rockers you have listed are not hard-core. That pairing might be a little bit polite, but very listenable and forgiving. Might accommodate a little bit forward CDP pretty well.
cdc
1,773 posts
 
Epos M12 or ES11 speakers. Try them with your Scott tube amp before chucking it. Integra is really bright to my ears. Creek A50 integrated sells for ~$500 used at Audiogon and is voiced for the Epos.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Get the NAD. The NHT speakers are a good suggestion. For floor standers,the Von Schwieckert VR2s are a great choice but they exceed your budget used you may find a pair for $1200. They are worth the investment. Did you consider the NAD 320cbee (I think thats the name) Its a real bargain for an amp.
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