At that budget, I am going to suggest Vintage Receiver with Vintage Speakers (or used newer speakers) to start, and upgrade in the future.
Vintage Receiver will give you several inputs, volume and balance, and MM phono built in. I also suggest getting one with ’loudness’ built in IF you listen at low volume at times. Get one with preamp out, or a tape loop, so you have the option of going out to self powered sub and back into receiver for mains.
Speakers: Vintage or Newer Used have two advantages:
1. less cost
2. buy local pickup and listen at sellers before committing, and get right to return
Speaker Type:
1. Efficient. Start trying to find higher sensitivity higher ___ db/1 watt/ 1 meter for a few reasons.
a. they need less power, saves money now and future upgrades
b. less needed power = smaller amp, lighter, less heat, greater flexibility of location
c. when you try tubes, higher efficiency speakers will keep you in the category of less watts per channel, thus more affordable, smaller, lighter, less heat, flexibility of location
2. Avoid ports, if port, front facing, to avoid muddy reflections from sides, rear surfaces.
3. remember idea of out to self powered sub then sub to amp (or back to receiver) then to main speakers, gives advantages to both amp (or receiver) and advantages to main speakers.
4. IF trying 3 above, I recommend a pair of self-powered subs, front firing, adjacent to mains, to preserve stereo location of bass player. Bass fundamentals and the related overtones give directionality.
Vintage Receiver will give you several inputs, volume and balance, and MM phono built in. I also suggest getting one with ’loudness’ built in IF you listen at low volume at times. Get one with preamp out, or a tape loop, so you have the option of going out to self powered sub and back into receiver for mains.
Speakers: Vintage or Newer Used have two advantages:
1. less cost
2. buy local pickup and listen at sellers before committing, and get right to return
Speaker Type:
1. Efficient. Start trying to find higher sensitivity higher ___ db/1 watt/ 1 meter for a few reasons.
a. they need less power, saves money now and future upgrades
b. less needed power = smaller amp, lighter, less heat, greater flexibility of location
c. when you try tubes, higher efficiency speakers will keep you in the category of less watts per channel, thus more affordable, smaller, lighter, less heat, flexibility of location
2. Avoid ports, if port, front facing, to avoid muddy reflections from sides, rear surfaces.
3. remember idea of out to self powered sub then sub to amp (or back to receiver) then to main speakers, gives advantages to both amp (or receiver) and advantages to main speakers.
4. IF trying 3 above, I recommend a pair of self-powered subs, front firing, adjacent to mains, to preserve stereo location of bass player. Bass fundamentals and the related overtones give directionality.