Need advice in coming out from the analog dead

If you had to choose between one or the other would you go for ???

Tonal balance: slightly brighter and more detailed or warm, smooth and musical ?

Speaker size: Floorstanders, bookshelves, monitors, etc... physical constraints for each type also vary, so please include more info.

Speaker style: Dynamic, E-stat / Planar / Ribbon, Hybrid panel / dynamic woofer, horns, etc...

Dispersion characteristics: Do you prefer imaging / instrument placement over soundstage size or vice versa, how big of a sweet spot do you require, etc...

Speaker placement: distance from rear and side walls, any other specific requirements, etc...

Listening position: How far will you be seated from speakers, how far from rear wall, etc..

Obviously, we would all like perfection in every area, but knowing what compromises you are more willing to make along with room characteristics and speaker requirements will allow us to make more educated suggestions. Also, have you forgotten / taken into consideration that you will need some type of rack, various cabling ( interconnects, speaker cables, power cords ), possible PLC, are room treatments in the plans somewhere down the road, etc ??? Sean
>

Point taken. I was taking interconnects and speaker cables as a necessary, albiet costly, given. I do have a Benz-Micro Glider cartridge already.

As for the phono stage. Aren't there some decent pre-amps with phono stage included? I suppose purists would eschew the idea and perhaps I am naive in thinking the two can be combined effectively. But, hey, it is advice that I am after here! :-) I have seen on another thread that several advise a tube preamp with a SS amp.

Sean - Some interesting questions you pose.

I would have to say that I am not overly fond of an overly "bright" sound, but I do appreciate detail, if by that you mean, for example, the decay of a guitar string. Is a wram, detailed sound an oxymoron? :-)

I am not constrained by the physical size of the speakers. I have plenty of room and the setting does not preclude floorstanding speakers from an interior design perspective. it is MY room and I can do what I will with it. ;-) That being said, I am more concerned with the response and that they provide a good full range sound than in their physical size. The room is carpeted with mostly wood furniture other than my overstuffed chair, standard painted sheetrock walls, and has two sliding glass doors covered by drapes. Placement of the speakers within the room is wide open. I will arrange all furniture to suit stereo needs. It will be a stereo room first and foremost. ;)

Would have to say that I prefer imaging and instrument placement if given the absolute choice. Since I generally listen alone and usually in the same comfy chair, the sweet spot needn't be exceedingly large.

I would guess that I will be seated in a position with the front speakers about six to eight feet to either side and four to five feet in front of me. Back wall would then be about nine feet further.

Having lived a former life as a cabinet maker, I will be constructing my own racks, other than perhaps an isolation system for the table. Have recently purchased a PLC, too, for another application that fell through so it is now free!

Sean - Some interesting questions you pose.

I would have to say that I am not overly fond of an overly "bright" sound, but I do appreciate detail, if by that you mean, for example, the decay of a guitar string. Is a wram, detailed sound an oxymoron? :-)

I am not constrained by the physical size of the speakers. I have plenty of room and the setting does not preclude floorstanding speakers from an interior design perspective. it is MY room and I can do what I will with it. ;-) That being said, I am more concerned with the response and that they provide a good full range sound than in their physical size. The room is carpeted with mostly wood furniture other than my overstuffed chair, standard painted sheetrock walls, and has two sliding glass doors covered by drapes. Placement of the speakers within the room is wide open. I will arrange all furniture to suit stereo needs. It will be a stereo room first and foremost. ;)

Would have to say that I prefer imaging and instrument placement if given the absolute choice. Since I generally listen alone and usually in the same comfy chair, the sweet spot needn't be exceedingly large.

I would guess that I will be seated in a position with the front speakers about six to eight feet to either side and four to five feet in front of me. Back wall would then be about nine feet further.

Having lived a former life as a cabinet maker, I will be constructing my own racks, other than perhaps an isolation system for the table. Have recently purchased a PLC, too, for another application that fell through so it is now free!

I think there are way too many combo's for anyone here to give adequate suggestions. Nice stereos can be suggested, but it is a craps shoot for you. An easier approach would be for you to audition and find a speaker that grabs you, and then ask for amplification advice. Often a dealer will have amplification that will well match the speaker, but it is prudent to ask an independent knowledgeable person (like audiogon, usually) about it. You have a great start with that turntable. I would suggest that you pay considerable attention to the phono preamp. The smaller signals are delicate and easy to screw up. Perhaps, consider an integrated amp with an outboard phono pre. If not, probably the best phono-included line preamps in your range are older, used ones no longer in production. good luck and have fun.