Looking to build a system for under $5k

YMMV, of course, but Vandersteen 1Cs were my first real hi-fi speakers.  While they sounded good at the dealer, they never really worked in my home.  I added subwoofers, replaced my amp, preamp (with a tubed preamp), wires and digital front end.  I got improvements along the way, but I never had it where I wanted to just sit and listen.  There was always as sense of strain, of congestion, at high volumes, and too much grit in the upper-mid/lower-treble range.  About seven years ago I upgraded to Ohm Walsh 2000s and have never looked back.  I now look forward to long, fatugue-free listening sessions.

My take away from this is always, ALWAYS, insist on a home audition for any speakers you are considering.  Hear how they sound in your home, with your gear, with your music, and without a dealer hovering behind you telling you how great the sound is.  Hearing how they sound at the shop is of very limited value.

Audio Conection is a wonderful dealer.  But, if you are in NJ, let me add a few B&M stores in NJ worth checking out:

Care Audio in Edison

The Art of Sound in Lambertville

Distinctive Stereo in River Vale

Audio Video Synergy in Clinton

Bravo Audio/Video in Bernardsville

And if you are in NJ, I would invite you to check out the New Jersey Audio Society.  Joining this club will give you a chance to hear all sorts of gear, and speakers, at all price levels, at retailers and in people's homes.  www.njaudiosociety.com

@kuppe38 - I was just making a short list off the top of my head of dealers I have visited recently.  I actually bought my Vandersteens from Audio Nexus (in 2000), as well as my first decent CD player.  I really liked the way I was treated there.  AFAIK, however, I don't think they are Vandersteen dealers at this time.  Bravo A/V is custom install oriented, but Tom is very knowledgable about audio and carries some great product lines.  I like his pragmatic, low-key approach to sales.

CSA I have never been to, but they do carry a lot of nice lines.

Audio Doctor is also worth a visit, I have been there as well.

@audionoobie - Our audio society is being hosted by The Art of Sound on Sunday, March 19th, at 2:00 p.m.  Feel free to stop by, listen to some tunes, and have a bite to eat.