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

Also, take a look at Yamaha integrateds. They include phono stage and DAC and can be found in the used market.

Stick with standmount speakers that are well isolated from the floor and choose an integrated amp capable of driving them well.  Many choices.  It’s largely a subjective thing once you account for how to listen with minimal disturbance to neighbors in an apartment.  Consider headphones as well. 

Check out some of the active speakers with built in wifi and or bluetooth. 
Example, You can pick-up a pair of Dynaudio XEO4 with the transmitter for $1k. Add a turntable and you're done.

Integrated amps to consider:
-Belles Aria
-Ayre AX7e
-Schiit Ragnarok
-Rogue Sphinx

DACs to consider:
-MHDT Orchid
-Audio Mirror Tubadour
-Schiit Gungir Multibit
-Schiit Bifrost Multibit

CD Transports to consider:
-Cambridge Audio CXC
-Audiolab CDT6000
Cables to consider:
-Blue Jeans
-Signal Cable
-Analysis Plus

Streamer to consider:
-Bluesound Node2i

-Speakers to consider
-Wharfedale Linton
-Wharfedale Evo

Completely different option...

-KEF LS50W 2 (Metas)
-phono preamp + turntable
-CD TRANSPORT (Audiolab / Cambridge Audio
-SUBS (REL, Rythmik, SVS)

Anyway you  cut it though, $5k is on the low end to get a nice system together if you are trying to do 3 different sources... cd, streaming, turntable.

I’d almost recommend spending that same $5k on cables, stands, a few acoustic panels, speakers, preamp and amp, dac, and either a transport or streamer.  THEN later on I’d add a turntable, THEN whichever I didn’t buy first, the transport or streamer.

You could do things in phases.  If you got the Belles Aria for instance, you could use the on board phono stage until you were ready to buy something that would be a substantial upgrade.

Since you're starting off fresh forget about Dac's, streamers, etc. for now. They can come later after the basic system is built. Take millercarbon's advice about a standalone phono stage. I learned that early on. Avoid tables with a built in phono stage or amps that have them. You will be rewarded later if you decide to upgrade the table and/or cartridge.

The OLD philosophy about building a good system was to spend about half of one's budget on speakers. That may or may not still hold true but in "those days" attention wasn't paid much to the quality of cables and other factors. But speakers are still a critical component. Since you like strong bass there's a major cost consideration here. Floor standers can deliver that. But you may find a sound that you prefer as much or more with good stand mounts plus a sub or two and be a bit easier on your budget.


An integrated amp seems to be your best option for now since you will be able to add components as budget and wants warrant. You can read for decades about user opinions and equipment reviewers and not find many that agree with each other. There is no replacement for an in person audition. If you live in an area that has at least one or more dealers go there and do some listening. If a friend has some vinyl recordings that you know well take those along. The listening room at the dealer will not sound the same as the one at your home. But it is a good starting point. Room treatments can be significant but that's something to address once you have your basic system going. Best of luck in your voyage.