Finally saved 3000 what is a good setup.

Parasound A23 amp, PSB Image6t speakers, spend rest on interconnects and cables. Or buy used and upgrade each to a21 and PSB Imagine or Synchrony. Good sound together.

do you want to try tubes? I would look hard at the Merlin's that are selling at 1850;one is a full range and the other is a monitor.

One more idea for a digital-centric system:

HK 990 Integrated Amp (with full digital bass management): $1600 (new, available on e-bay)
Magnepan MMG Planar Speakers $ 600 (new, direct from Maggie)

The remaining $800 goes to a subwoofer and source as you see fit.

Given a decent digital signal and a good sub, this will be a killer system. The HK will provide room analysis and EQ, it will cross the MMGs seamlessly to the woofers in the digital domain, it includes a pretty high quality DAC, and it has a quality power amp section that provides 150WPC. This will do complete justice to the MMGs, which are ridiculously good performers for their price tag - but present a dilemna in that they require a fair bit of quality grunt from a power amp. This will often (tho not always) result in a higher priced system than your stated budget. Since the MMGs lose steam in the +/- 50hz region, adding a subwoofer (which can be tricky for a planar design) to extend the bottom end further boosts the system asking price. However, the HK is (AFAIK) a unique (I don't use that word often in describing audio equipment) 2.2 channel solution to these problems. You might want to check out Kr4's recent review of the unit in Stereophile to get a full appreciation of the design.

The HK also has a few other nice qualities. It has dual sub outputs, so you can add a second sub down the road if you need/want. It also includes a built-in phono section and (I believe) the ability to bypass all the digital processing and send your "pure" analog (or digital, for that matter) signal to the MMGs (without the subs) if you need or want that functionality. However, this isn't a set-up designed to optimize analog performance for the $.

If you find the right subwoofer (A new 12" Rythmik - sold direct by Rythmik - will eat up the last $800, but it might be worth it if you already have a computer that you can use as your source), this solution allows seamless integration of the bottom 1 1/2 octaves to properly powered MMGs at under $3K. I've used a similar set-up with an Onkyo pre-pro and dual Rythmik 12" subs fed by a dedicated server and preferred that set-up to other, more traditional audiophile systems that I've owned at five times the cost.

Another benefit - the MMG and Rythmik are sold direct with in-home, money back privileges.

I'm sure that there are many good choices out there, and most will employ a more traditional audiophile's "minimalist" approach, but this is the way I'd go.

Good Luck.

Marty

I would get a used pair of Merlin TSMs and a used Music Reference RM10 MKII. If you live near Baltimore you can over and listen to this little amp with my Merlin VSMs - though the larger speaker in the line, you'll get a ver ygood idea of what the Merlin/MR combo can do - a great combination. If I wanted a bit more bass, I would look to a pair of Vandersteen 1 or 2s and an integrated SS amp of 50 watts or more (Rotel? Arcam? etc.)

My favorite "budget" speaker used to be the PSB Stratus Gold. Now, with direct marketing, the NHT Classic Three's and Four's are a bargain. Three's and a B-10d sub for $1100 (new). Stands?

Audiolab 8200CDQ CDP/DAC/Pre ... $1400 (new)

Lots of used amps in the listings under $1000.

http://www.ultimatecables.com/