I've been listening to my music via my computer and some decent cans (Grado SR-80 + Sennheiser HD 280 Pro) for too long. It's time to get a decent playback system.
I would like to start out with a integrated amp (preferably with a phono pre-amp), turntable, and bookshelf sized speakers. I'd like to keep the Amp and Speakers in the $1000 (+/- $250) neighborhood.
My listening room will be about 15' x 25' living room. I'll be listening to mostly vinyl with this setup, but would also like to hook up my media server to it.
Today I went down to the local Hi-Fi shop and they had a deal on this:
Denon CX3 Integrated Amp - $579 -
http://www.listenup.com/Denon+DRA-CX3-p-DRACX3-p-.htmlDenon SC-CX303 Speakers - $579 -
http://www.listenup.com/Denon+SC-CX303-p-SCCX303-p-12780358.htmlThis seems like a pretty good deal and the setup sounded great. They didn't really have many other options in that price range. I didn't really consider Denon as a brand I was looking at.
Some other options I had considered (many based on suggestions I've seen here), but haven't had a chance to listen to as there aren't any dealers near me:
Amps:
Cambridge 550-A - $549
Speakers:
Epos ELS 8 $495
Turntables:
Rega P1 $395
Pro-ject Debut III $369
Pro-Ject RM-1.3 $499
So, if I were to go purely on price the Denon setup is the best "deal" but I don't really trust prices on Hi-Fi equipment, as I've found that some things have pretty inflated prices and some things sound awesome for less money.
Any advice? I open to just about anything in my price range. I really don't care if it says Realistic on the front of it if it sounds great, so any brand is fine with me. I'd much prefer to buy something locally (Denver/Boulder) so I can actually listen to what I'm paying for BEFORE I pay for it.