Looking for a good system for my apartment. Any advise?

Hey millercarbone,
Thanks for chiming in!

I'll be starting from scratch. I don't have any vinyl yet but the turntable will serve as motivation for me to start my collection.

I will take your advise on the stand alone phono stage. What model do you recommend? (just now learning about it- also known as a phono preamp).
".. it corrects the tonality of the music that is carved into the record so that the music sounds right. " Pretty cool I must say- never knew about that). From what I understand, this thing also significantly increases the bass, which I loooove.

As for the integrated amp, do you have a make/model in mind for this as well? Also, what about a receiver? I like to listen to some radio stations from time to time (classical, jazz, etc).

As for the turn table and speakers, what would you recommend I look at?
I am the guy who wants to take the first step on a long journey. Yes, I have background tunes going more for atmospheric (mood setting) for when I study, do work, etc. But than I also love to be fully absorbed and intentional about my listening experience when I'm not in front the computer. Am I making sense here (or more appropriately, hear)?
Thank you.

@tomstruck Impressive. How do you those Vandersteen Quatro Wood speakers?

Hi joey54,
Thank you for this! I'll check it out.

Nice! Yeah, 5K is definitely my upper limit. May have to start one or two components at a time. Thank you for the suggestions! I'll def check it out. How do those Phil bombs sound on the Dynaudio Evoke 20s?

@twoleftears Hey thanks for the advise! I always figured speakers would be the first thing on the list to look at. I DID check out the Schiit's range of products and I'm blown away! Cool company.

Those Klipsch heresy speakers look sweet! The IV towers especially, however the price (at nearly 3k) would eat up 3/4 of my budget unless there are some used heresy's I can nab for 1k or under? Many thanks for the suggestion.

@ebm Not sure about the banks being broken or not. But if I was a bank, top on the list would be to make my branch a sonic wonderland complete w/speakers under the floors.

@mesch  Thanks for the sage advise! As for the neighbors, we only share (1) wall.. so a non-issue.

I agree that with a $5000 budget you can put together a very nice system. Are you willing to purchase some items used?

- Yes of course! Any way to bring that 5k down a rung or two, the better.

For the same sound quality, vinyl is more expensive that digital. Which is most important?

Good question. I prefer vinyl (the sound is just richer and more flavorful in my opinion). That being said, it'll be a healthy mix of the two since (as of now) the majority of the music i listen to is "streaming" from the internet or from my own dig. library.

I would limit my choices of speakers that would play well with 50-80wpc into a medium size room. What is room size?

Room size is: roughly 13' x 25'. Good to know. I read that.. "As a general guideline, it is better to get an amplifier that is slightly more powerful than your speakers are rated for. " So perhaps go w/a 150pc amp in this case?

Consider integrated amplifiers. There are many that have both internal DACs and phonostages. A great way to get started within budget. If desired an external DAC or phonostage can be added at a later date as funds become available.

Good suggestion.

Select speakers that have reasonable sensitivity and not difficult to drive impedance wise (therefore fitting the 50-80wpc power restriction).

What is a good example of this?

Well, I need to get a bird on, happy Thanksgiving!

I should do the same .. but I'm trapped in this sonic rabbit hole. I'll need a lifeline if I can't pull myself out on my own.

After reading everyone's posts (thank you!) and doing a bit of research, I think I've narrowed my options down to the following:

1. Integrated amp:  schiit ragnarok (comes w/built in DAC) or rogue sphinx and both come w/ internal phonostage  (I know some of you would suggest otherwise and instead go w/external DAC and phonostage but for my budget .. I'm OK w/it
2. CD transport:  Cambridge Audio CXC
3. Speakers: Wharfedale Linton
   
4. Turn table:  Rega Planar 2
   

My question is, as for the cables, I'll go w/blue jeans but not sure how many or what type..? What other cables will I need?

mesch,

Thanks for your input on this!

So I just need (1) 1.5 meter dig coax for the CXC and DAC? Can you recommend a good brand for this guy?

For the speakers, you recommend the Canara 4S11. Looks like they are sold as "singles" vs "in pairs". So thats fine.

Yes, the Rega TT comes w/built in cabeling. 

mesch, how many feet of speaker cable do you recommend?