Complete 2.0 System for Under $3k?

Gehrm, If I could, here are a few qn's. that the "agon brain trust" here might want to ask for starters:

Will you also be using CD's and electronic audio files, or would you like to start with vinyl sources only?

What kind of music do you listen to most often, e.g., hard rock, jazz, alternative, orchestral, ensembles, vocals?

What are the dimensions of the room where you most likely will be listening, and what are the walls and floors like?

Good luck!

re:
"That you find another hobby !!!!!!!!! :)"

Pls be sure to note the smiley face at the end.

IMO, That was just a tongue-in-cheek warning from TPReaves, to maybe spare our OP the obsessive agonies of budget creep, etc. that sometimes follow with this "hobby" ;)

Gehrm,
There are many other threads on this topic so search Agon forum, but here is a start:

Speakers:
Triangle Electroacoustique Comete ES 50-20K Hz, 91dB
Coherent, efficient, classic two-ways. - $500 used on Audiogon.

Integrated Amplifier with phono stage:
Unison Unico Hybrid Tube/SS Integrated 80wpc rms, 6Moons Component of the year, 2003 - $1000 available now on Agon

Turntable - Rega Planar 3 with RB-300 tonearm $550 used.
Clearaudio Aurum Beth S cartridge - $450 new.

Phono and Speaker cables - var. $400
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There are some real vinyl experts here, so be sure to take their advice on the TT, tonearm and cartridge over mine, but this should give you an idea of what's possible.

Hi, Elizbeth:
"The MAIN thing is to buy what you find, instead of a list you have to buy"
Okay, but the gent may not have a friend like you hanging around, so... given your well-known expertise, how about some more specific guidance for him? - e.g., what would you be looking for in a good set of phono stuff, what relative portion of your budget would you expect to spend, say, on tonearm vs table vs cartridge in this discounted price range; would you even consider buying a used cartridge as a novice, and even, god forbid, not in list form, what are some examples of good deals you might have seen around in the past?