GIRL NEWBIE

Just a suggestion, if you could squeeze a little more into your budget and are looking for some decent gear you might wantto take a peek at the following two vendor sites, I am not affliliated with either DMC-Electonic and Audio Advisor (the latter is a A'gon Guild member)- DMC has new and or re-furbished NAD integrateds and PSB (blemished)at good prices (PS I bought a pair of PSB 'blemished' speakers and still lookig ofr the supposed blemish). Audio Advisor sometimes has Cambridge re-furbished integrateds.

It is a little unconventional, but for a sound that would far surpass any of the commercial integrated solutions, look for a Berning MicroZotl used here on audiogon. Match that with your ipod headphones until you can buy a decent pair of headphones. Then, when you can afford a good pair of small and efficient speakers you can add those to the mix. When ready to buy a good amp, you can convert the MicroZotl into an excellent preamp. You can also use the MicroZotl with your ipod in addition to your turntable. If you want to move toward really good sound, IMHO you will not get there even when spending several thousand dollars building a system around the usual solid state integrateds. IMHO, YMMV, etc. Good luck. Jeff

Do not ever hear a very good put together system. If you are like me it will never end. I'm looking at the Vandersteen 5a's now 17,000 speakers OUCH !!!!! And if U in Michigan Can I have a Date? Just kidding sorta LOL.