Best system under 5K - that is a challenge

For $500 all you could do is hunt for a super price on a CD player, integrated amp, and then, to really pick up some gains for the money, build some 2 way kit speakers.

On the original thread, it didn't even specify how many sources, but my amp and speakers were $1,500 each new(Biro L/1's/Van Alstine Fet/Valve 350hc hybrid tube/ss amp), my preamp a little under a $1,000 (Van Alstine hybrid), my DAC $1,000, plus a Parasound transport for $200 on closeout. Breaks the bank a little, but I've loved it for 5 years now. My Fanfare tuner is nice too but not included, and I'm using some old runs of Kimber 4PR I've had laying around for years. The Fet/Valve's don't care what cable is on'em, they just plow right through it. I've got some jon risch DIY room treatments too, another $50.

Whether it is two channel, 5.1, 7.1, analogue or digital source is up to you. I am looking to see the selection criteria and the constraints imposed by a $5K budget. This would open up the field of suggestions for multiple applications - the kind of question that may reveal a great diamond in the rough!! You may also suggest different system changes for different music - BOTTOM LINE, IT IS UP TO U!!!

Used Revel F-30's ($2200, Bryston 4B-ST($1400)used, Toshiba SD-9200 DVD($600.00)new, $800 left for a pre-amp and wires..............or..........Musical Fidelity integrated with B&W 805's and $1000.00 CD.

Salsero, nobody who is a member of Audiogon pays full retail for their equiptment. Also, with mainstream electronics their is a difference between "street price" and "retail price." Furthermore, most dealers give some type of a discount or "throw" in something like cables. Anyway, I'll take the bait:

Coincident Victorys 4,600.00*

Antique Sound Labs Wave mono amps 200.00

Sony CDP with output level control 150.00-200.00 (see below)

2 feet of the best speaker cable you can get for 50.00

(*maybe Coincident will give you 2 feet of their CST since you paid full retail for their speakers, if they do beg for an IC too, otherwise use what came with the CDP!)

Buy all used here on 'Gon.Used Cary intergrated,B&W 805's or half a dozen other $2K-2.5K list monitors/floorstanding and a Rega P3 and Sony SACD333.
$1K (give or take)for sources,$1750 for intergrated($3K list you can get it for that price.This is an amzingly good value 80wpc tubes what more do you need?),and $1500-2K for your speakers depending on where your tastes lay (bass vs.not etc).Might even be able to buy a brand new Cart with leftover.Save on cable budget at first then get something sensible like Kimber when you want to ice your $5K cake.Oh and if you go solid state or don't play loud and have a smaller room Maggie 1.6's are an amazingly good deal and can be gotten new for $1600.A quick responding sub like a Vandersteen ($750 used)can augmnent it latter.Five grand will buy a killer system.