Budget system recommendations

I swear I only clicked it once, honestly.

i recently spent just barely over $1000 on a system consisting of NAD c340, Nakamichi MB8 five disc changer, Axiom M3ti bookshelf speakers, dh labs interconnects and speaker cable. i'm very happy with it and would recommend all of the above components

$1,200 Huh!?! Okay, here goes, remember this is "USED/WEB" prices and should be easy to find:

Speakers: NHT Superzero's ($150)
Cinder Block Speaker Stands: Two pairs, one on top the other, both sides (.13 cents ea)
Used Tablecloth or pillowcase to cover stands: should already have or Goodwill (.50 cents ea)
Sub w/ amp: NHT SW2P ($275)

Integrated Amp/preamp with AM/FM tuner: Nakamichi RE1 or TA-4A Stasis ($250 either one)
CD Player: Nakamichi CDC-4A 6-disk magazine player (can use in most auto's) or Pioneer 414 DVD Player ($250)

RCA Interconnect: Kimber Kable PBJ 3-meter ($60 and you'll have one left over to divide so you can use on CD player)
Speaker Cable: Kimber Kable 8-TC 2-meter ($115)
Black Diamond Racing Cones #3: Three used under CD Player and three under the integrated amp ($12 ea)

My reccomendation, if you don't go this route is to put the highest precentage on your speakers (e.g. NHT 1.5A with SW2P sub or Gallo Micro Nucleous satelite/sub combo), next the integrated amp (why integrated . . . . save $$$ on interconnects and you'll also have a decent am/fm tuner), then speaker cables and interconnects and lastly you could probably save money/space by adding a portable CD player and portable tape player.

Happy Listening!

Ken in San Diego
bartab148@aol.com

For a $1200 budget get an integrated amp, not separates. Cambridge Audio A3i (or A500) Integrated Amp, Cambridge Audio D500 CD Player, B&W DM602 Speakers. Actually this could be done for under $1000, plus you need to spend $200 to $300 or so for cables interconnets and speaker stands. Close out MIT Terminator 2 cables and interconnets at AudioAdvisor.com will do the trick. Actually Audio Advisor has some demo Cambridge equipment and good new prices, as well as stands, etc. If you need a tuner an used Onkyo Integra Tuner can be had for $50 on eBay all the time. I also know a local pawn shop that has an Integra Tuner for $30. The NAD integrated amps would also do nicely here.

There is a Musical Fidelity X-A1 integrated amp up for sale at $325 that is very hard to beat for the price (I own one) and recently had a Pass owner over who was very impressed with its sound (very similar to the Aleph 3 when the volume is kept below 10:00 on the dial). It should run most reasonably efficient speakers under normal circumstances. You would probably hang on to this amp (even when upgrade fever strikes). I replaced mine with a tube amp, but still use it in another system. It does not have a phono stage though and can just be used (as is) with CD and tape sources.