If you're used to hearing your tapes through headphones, Daryan, you are in for a real treat on a "big" hifi. Sound is felt as well as heard! You might just find your taping preferences change, as well; I used to love XY as it came out great for headphone and car listening. It sounds like crap on a real hifi, tho, IMO.
echo2288: audiogon is an excellent recommendation for used gear. I suggest patronizing your local hifi shop as much as possible. Over the years you will establish a relationship with them, and get as good (or better!) deals on equipment, usually with full warranty. Demo equipment (sometimes it's unopened!) with warranty is my FAVORITE way to buy hifi. Also, once you establish a trustworthy relationship, they will allow you to demo hifi gear in your *home* before buying, without shelling out any $$. What it sounds like in your rig is the most important thing.
What lines do your local shop carry? That influences your decision greatly if you stick with them. Remember there is a LOT of good hifi out there, everyone has their preferences, but I've found you can build a killer rig out of local stock if your shop is good. Sometimes what they carry will be as good, or better, than the "internet favorite of the week."
What is your definition of reasonably priced? How much total do you want to spend? Don't forget to budget for good cabling...
I would not keep and utilize your CDP. "Source first" as they say, or "Garbage in, Garbage out." A good 16-bit CDP makes a WORLD of difference in a playback rig. Don't skimp here.
I started with NAD stuff in college. NAD, Rotel, and in some cases Denon, make great well-priced gear. NAD has fallen from graces with me due to reliability issues (their LCD screens break CONSTANTLY), although I would still consider thier integrated amps (C370 in particular). Rotel used to suck, IMO, but is making some spectacularly surprising gear as of late (their 1070 series is fantastic for the $$!). Denon's DVD/CDPs aren't bad for the $$ if you require DVD playback, too.
I would stay away from an external DAC in the "reasonable" pricerange unless you require 24 bit playback. One-box CDPs like the Rotel 1070 are getting REALLY good. That said, if you tape 24 bit, MSB supposedly makes great lower-cost DACs.
I have owned many iterations of B&W speakers, I second their recommendation. Fantastic value for the $$, in almost every range (stay away from the CM series, tho). And they make models for every budget and taste. I have demoed a few Paradigms in the past, and never liked them enough to buy them; they always were outclassed by the B&W competition, IMO. But some people swear by them.
I'll stop blabbing now, hope that helps! Let us know what lines your local shop carries...
Topic: Entering the market... help! (Read 4226 times)