help me choosing first HiFi


Hello everyone

first time poster here, not a big expert, just music lover. Please I need your help to select a good (understood pretty difficult to use the word “best”) system for my budget. My apology for the long thread.

My source: mainly cd (around 2.000 so ripping is not an option)
Music: classic, chamber, opera, piano solo, jazz + radio and some podcast.
Like detailed, spatial, clear and natural sound, but not cold.
Budget: 2.000 EURO (2.000USD/ 1500 GBP), stretchable at most to 2.500 euro (2.800 usd/ 1.800 gbp)

I have been reading for some weeks now, and few days ago I started to listen as well. Basically I am torn between two main alternatives:

“Alternative 1”- a good integrated entry system, like the Cambridge MINX XI, which is Ampli+DAC+network streamer. Has a good price, good quality. This would give me everything, and leave budget for the speakers, and be the simplest and cleanest solution. I read many reviews and the internal Dac is supposed to be very good.

“Alternative 2” - increase a bit in quality, stretch the budget, get a good ampli-dac+cd, and add a cheap web radio which will be sent to the good Dac into the amplifier. First thinking: Cambridge new CX series: ampli culd be the CX A60 and the cd player the CXC, a player with NO dac inside. I would miss the chance to send some podcast from my pc/mac to the stereo. I would gain flexibility to change some component or add a new one in the future. As far as I have read, the network streamers currently on the market produce good sound but software somehow has still to catch-up, so i might buy this in the future, and now buy just a web radio receiver. Nevertheless, I saw network streamers like Pioneer N30 do not cost too much.

I should try to listen to these two alternatives and assign a price to the difference in quality I am supposed to hear (not sure yet!) But I am still confused about few fundamental issues.
Let's start:
1- “invest more of your budget into the speakers” VS “rubbish in rubbish out, so split equally your budget among the components”. I heard both of them. What follows in the first case is to use a basic cd player/dvd player, send the digital signal to my good Dac and enjoy. In the second case instead I should also invest in a good cd player or blu ray should I use the same for movies as well.
2- pairing ampli with speakers. I am still confused on how to undestad if an ampli and speakers are potentially a good match. I know, I should listen, but in theory I hear “that ampli cannot express the best out of those speakers” or “those speakers are an overkill with that ampli” or “you need a better ampli for that speakers” or instead “with that ampli you should use a better speaker set”. In theory, I understood I should look not at WATT, but at somethink related to electrical power/ampere, but dont know much. So if I choose speakers first, I dont know how to choose the best ampli for that speakers.

As far as the speakers: so far I heard just TOTEM (canadian producer) MITE model. I was blown away, seriously. I couldn't imagine speakers so small would produce that clarity, that definition of space. Cannot think a bigger speaker to sound better. But I'd like to hear something more before. I was set to listen B&W 685 s2, as I had read good things, but perhaps the Mite are a bit superior. Other I'd like to listen: Sonus Faber Venere 2.0, Focal 906 and some Monitor Audio.
To sum all this up, my questions for you experts are the following:
1- what would you suggest for me in terms of alternative1 vs alternative2?
2- should I buy a quality cd player or a basic cheapest blu ray reader ?
3- should I look to buy bigger floorstander spearkers? or with the budget is better to stick to bookshelves? Do you have alternatives to the speakers I mentioned?

Thanks really a lot in advance
lorcar
First thing I would change would be to buy USED and save a ton of $$$ ... $2000 USED goes much farther than in new gear
A lot of good suggestions. If you have a local dealer that you can work with, that would be best to get the synergy between the components. Even better would be to purchase some used or demo equipment from that dealer. This will be the start of your adventure so purchasing electronics that could be used with a future speaker upgrade would be beneficial.
If you like the Totems, can't go wrong building around that line. A used Bel Canto Integrated would be a nice match. Most Totems like power and current to sound their best so try not to skimp there.
I've been through way too much gear (electrostatics, horns, small box, big box, etc) since 1980. My current room is 8X14, and I have finally assembled a system that plays music. Speakers are Blumenstein Orca Deluxe with a DIY 45 SET tube amp, made by Oliver, an Audiogon member.

This system, with Kimber 4tc, is balanced and musically engaging in a way that has escaped every other system I have tried. I do use a Mac/iTunes/HRT dac with all of my 1,400 CDs on the hard drive. I also built a Lenco turntable with a slate deck.

This system does not slam, but the essence of people making music is amazing. I will pick up the Dungeness for when I want to get more bass impact, but strangely, I'm quite happy with the output of the 3"Foster drivers.

I bought my Blumensteins used on Audiogon a few months ago, so I have no financial investment in the company, but I want to make sure people are aware of a very special speaker. An amp that also sounds wonderful for almost nothing is the EL84 Miniwatt tube amp. You can find these on Ebay for about $240.

I will mention that I had to work at placing the speakers over a matter of a few weeks to get the balanced sound, but you know when it locks in.

Good luck on your quest, and try not to get caught up in the cost equals quality syndrome.