Your advice appreciated: Bookshelf Speakers for my Conrad Johnson CAV45-S2

The  NHT C1 would work well and fit your budget. You can purchase these on Amazon with easy return if the don’t work for you.

Monolith 28 Inch Speaker Stand x 2 ($180) plus

1. ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 ($499; amazon) - if you can pull the speakers out at least 3 ft away from the front wall (to the rear ports);  Erin recommends it.

2. ELAC DBR62 ($665, like new; or $799, new returnable from amazon)

These speakers should give you refined tonal balance incl. satisfactory in-room bass that gets down to 40hz -3dB.  Also, based on my experience with DB62, pairing with amp is quite influential to the sound.  Not about the wattage but the quality of the amplification.

dwest, lanx - Thank you! I'm researching these now.

Used monitor audio or Fritz.  In a room that small having at least 4 to 6 panels can really help your bass with bookshelves 

That C-J amp is way too nice to use with a pair of mediocre speakers.  See if you can find a pair of used BBC LS5/3As.  They won't shake the rafters, but the sound quality will be 5 star.

@billstevenson "That C-J amp is way too nice to use with a pair of mediocre speakers."

+1

Maybe look at used Totem. 

@billstevenson +2

Find a pair of Fritz and spring for them. 

ELAC DBR62 are a great speaker especially w jazz!  

You will not be disappointed!