Audiophile beginner with a question...

The Linn Classik suggestion is very good. I've owned one and it was very decent. Did everything well and takes up so little room. Don't be put off by the 37wpc rating as it is very deceptive. If you can't punch that out, go for the NAD L-40. I use one for a travel system and it is musical and very good for what it is. A reconditioned unit $360.

The British have always had a formula for investment of your dollars and it applies to you right now.

source 40%
amplification 30%
speakers 20%
cabling 10%

You can make a pair of decent but cheap speakers sound very respectable with a solid front end, however you cannot correct any mistakes of the source with amplification and speakers afterward. Best of luck.

Not to be disagreeable, but I think the formula that Celtic66 gave you will not produce verey good results in a budget system. While it is true that nothing the source does not prduce can be reproduced by the speakers, the speakers are the musical instrument that must move air. They should I believe represent the single biggest expense. My fomula (until you get very high end) would be:

Speakers 40%
source 20%
amplification 30%
cables 10%

of course with a unit like the Linn Classik you would still be spending more on the unit (source + amplification) than on speakers. One of the great advantages to this path is that you can upgrade to match your speakers more progressively and with less of a one time investment than buying better speakers which are big, heavy and expensive.

That formula sounds good. So far, I did begin with the speakers, so I guess I am on the right path. Thanks!:)