Green mountain europa monitors ($1000 new),
Densen B-100 amplifier ($1000 demo from www.audiooutlet.com).
I used to play in a band and we were in and out of a local studio over several years. The above amp-speaker combo I currently own is the closest sound I've ever heard to the mixing room (the studio used Acoustic Energy AE1s to mix, and I think the europas are equal possibly better for half the money). The stereo imaging of the densen-GMA combo is amazing, and really gives you that "musicians right there in front of you" feeling. It's a really transparent system ... I don't think it colors the source in any way.
I can't recommend a CD player as I'm not up on the latest ones. If I was going to demo CD players at $1000 I'd probably line up a Creek, Rega, Arcam, Cyrus. For used players I'd look at Meridian, Naim CD5, and Densen B400 (rare as hens' teeth).
Densen B-100 amplifier ($1000 demo from www.audiooutlet.com).
I used to play in a band and we were in and out of a local studio over several years. The above amp-speaker combo I currently own is the closest sound I've ever heard to the mixing room (the studio used Acoustic Energy AE1s to mix, and I think the europas are equal possibly better for half the money). The stereo imaging of the densen-GMA combo is amazing, and really gives you that "musicians right there in front of you" feeling. It's a really transparent system ... I don't think it colors the source in any way.
I can't recommend a CD player as I'm not up on the latest ones. If I was going to demo CD players at $1000 I'd probably line up a Creek, Rega, Arcam, Cyrus. For used players I'd look at Meridian, Naim CD5, and Densen B400 (rare as hens' teeth).