ok, I've read all the threads on turntables, speakers, etc etc. I have around $1500 to spend, and the only thing I've already purchased (somewhat prematurely) is a turntable.

here is what I'm thinking and prices.. if this stuff is garbage let me know some similar priced alternatives.. again the turntable is a done deal.. wanted a Rega P3, but was having a hard time finding a nice one on eBay.

turntable: Goldring GR 1.2 $300 replace Elektra cartridge with Grado?

amp: NAD? new or older? have no idea whats a good amp/preamp for around $500

cd player: NAD C521BEE $200 on eBay. Cambridge Audio?

speakers: Klipsch RF-52? $400 shipped on eBay. low end B&W? Tannoy?

also, what do you recommend for reasonably priced speaker wire?

thanks in advance!!

I picked up a NAD 325BEE a few weeks ago and so far have been really happy with it. I checked out a Cambridge integrated (can't remember the model number) and felt that the NAD had better handle on the low end. The Cambridge had a tendency to muddy things up a bit. I wanted to listen to a Rotel integrated but couldn't find one in my area. For $400 the NAD was a perfect way to get into Hi-fi for me without breaking the bank.

As far as speakers go, I'm still saving up some cash but I've checked some out. I listened to the B&W DM 602S3 but I was in a really shitty room. It amazes me how much people will pay for speakers when they have only heard them in the worst rooms possible. Anyway, I also tried out some BG Corp's and some Focal bookshelves. They're both about $500 for a pair and sound pretty damn good for my not so well trained ear. I've heard mixed things about Klipsch but haven't gotten a chance to test them out in person.

For "sorta cheap" speakers (i.e. $500 or so), I liked the Mission 750's the best. This was a good 7 years ago, though, so I dunno what's what nowadays.

i have heard nothing but great things about these fostex speakers:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Unity-Audio-Inner-S ... 0038692502

they are super efficient so you may save some $$ on power amp. or you could find an old console tube stereo and take out the amp, have the amp gone over by a tech type, i spent a total of $55.00 for a single ended 4 watt stereo tube amp after the tech had gone through it...make sure it is stereo!

thanks for the input thus far. I'm bidding on a pair of B&W 602 S2 speakers on eBay.. hopefully they won't go over 5 bills.

i'm really stumped on an amp.. can someone give me a few models that are reasonably priced, have phono jacks, and would work well with the aformentioned B&W speakers?

I think you're on the right track with that Goldring turntable. That seems to be a pretty good buy. You could scour the used market and possibly find a Rega in a reasonable price range. I think you should avoid Klipsch unless they are older vintage models like the Heresy. I think the Klipschhorns may still be the real deal, but they've pretty much become standard vanilla/white bread mass-market fare at this point. B&W is probably a good call. I have a small pair of the Harbeth monitors that are pretty great. These might fall in your price range used. It may be tough to find a good amp with phono stage. I would HIGHLY recommend a Danish company called Densen. Their B-100 integrated amp has got a cult following for a good reason. I own one and still use it in a second system with the aforementioned Harbeth speakers. Due to lack of name recognition in the states, these can be had used for significantly less than the retail price, which pretty much makes it a 'best buy' kind of purchase. They have a phono stage board that can be installed on one of the inputs as well that I've heard is pretty nice and not terribly expensive. Rega also make nice integrated amps with phono stages and these would be excellent buys on the used market. I owned a Rega Mira at one point and was pretty impressed, and the phono stage was pretty OK as well.

Another good speaker company which makes for excellent used purchases is Castle Acoustics. I just sold my pair of Castle Howards, and whoever bought those got MAJOR sound for the money. Castle is not too well know here, but make really nice sounding (and looking) speakers.

BTW, the NAD gear is usually a pretty solid buy too.

Good luck!

Paradigm make great speakers for cheap, the value is incredible.

The B&W 602.5 would offer more bass response, $700 new, there is a set on eBay for a low reserve.

centurymantra and redline thanks for the responses. Since I've last posted I won a Rotel RA-02 integrated amp on eBay, and I'm bidding on the Rotel RCD-02 that goes with it.

that leaves speakers/speaker cable and interconnects. Speakers I've narrowed down to the B&W, Paradigm, and I'm also looking into PSB's, if anyone has feedback on those. I'm liking these: http://www.audiophileliquidator.com/pro ... 4c32906fa7

as far as the speaker cable I guess I'll go Audioquest type 4... not sure about interconnects.

MantaRay wrote:centurymantra and redline thanks for the responses. Since I've last posted I won a Rotel RA-02 integrated amp on eBay, and I'm bidding on the Rotel RCD-02 that goes with it.

that leaves speakers/speaker cable and interconnects. Speakers I've narrowed down to the B&W, Paradigm, and I'm also looking into PSB's, if anyone has feedback on those. I'm liking these: http://www.audiophileliquidator.com/pro ... 4c32906fa7

as far as the speaker cable I guess I'll go Audioquest type 4... not sure about interconnects.

Rotel makes good stuff. I checked out one of their nicer DVD/CD players at one point and thought it was a nice piece of gear. I'm not familiar with their stuff to any great degree, but I know that PSB speakers have a pretty good rep. The Stratus line of PSB speakers were getting most of the good buzz. BTW, if you want to deal with the used market on this kind of stuff, www.audiogon.com is a good place to go. I've had pretty much excellent experience with all my Audiogon dealings

We'd better keep it down to a whisper on the cable discussions, lest another cable holy war erupts... I do happen to fall into the camp (though not way over the line) that finds benefit in good cables. That aside, I'd say that getting some AQ Type 4 would be a reasonable way to go without getting too deep into the whole cable thing. If you can find a place that sells it in bulk, you can just get the lengths you need and use bare wire terminations. For interconnects, maybe look at Wireworld's basic cables (good closeouts can be found) or get some basic Audioquest stuff. I like a company called Wasatch Cable Works. You could make your own too. Or maybe check out Signal Cable or VH Audio for reasonably priced sorta DIY cabling.

Enjoy!