In my apt: my kitchen/dining room/game&TV space is approx 12x12, with sloping walls 5' then angled in... I'm using a vintage Pioneer Elite DVD/CD Player ($50) into a vintage Parasound HCA-75a power amp with volume controls on the back ($250). Add a pair of KEF ONE bookshelf speakers, a Silnote Audio power cord and interconnect - and I' m golden for vocals (especially female), acoustic piano and vibraphone ("Crystal Silence"), what I call Ereathral (Enya, Dead Can Dance) and light jazz and rock... If I feel the ' need ' to really rock out: I add in a Monoprice Integrated amp ($250) with another interconnect (using the pre-out) for better definition and volume control, and swap out the KEFs for a pair of JBL L25 PRIMA speakers ($450) - and I've got bigger sound... There are so many choices in the vintage/used market - but as a core: I'd start with a PARASOUND HCA -75a or 1000a: good cheap power cheap power you can double up with 2 in mono. I believe the 1st key piece should be your power amp - the piece you will least likely change as you expand/refine your system over time... Ànd Vintage/Used is the way to go...