Aztec Armadillo
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Finishing up new system plans. Unable to listen before buying and would like comments.
jackfish
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possible. You should do a little research on Emotiva. It is a factory direct company that provides for return of equipment within 30 days for a purchase price refund. Here is a system that will be on par or better than anything you have listed:

Emotiva ERC-2 CD player $449 http://www.stereophile.com/content/emotiva-erc-2-cd-player

Emotiva USP-1 preamp with phono stage $449 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/preamplifiers/preamplifiers-reviews/emotiva-usp-1-stereo-preamplifier.html

Emotiva XPA-200 power amplifier $499 New and not reviewed yet, but it is a robust power amplifier which doubles its 120 wpc into 8 Ohms when run at 4 Ohms due to a large 350 VA toroidal transformer and 90,000uF secondary capacitance.

 

Unfortunately, there are few places that will allow in home auditions of turntables. Fortunately, there are some good entry level turntables that will likely satisfy most listeners. Here are the best choices:

 

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon $399 http://www.tonepublications.com/analogaholic/pro-jects-latest-table/

Music Hall MMF-2.2 in black $449 http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-audio-sources/vinyl-lp/music-hall-mmf-2.2-le-turntable-review.html

 

For loudspeakers, you can't look past the Magnepan MMG for $599/pair. Try them and if you don't like them return them within 60 days for a purchase price refund. http://hometheaterreview.com/magnepan-mmg-floor-standing-speakers-reviewed/ http://www.soundadviceblog.com/reviews/review-magnepan-mmg-speakers/

 

If you don't have room for the Magnepan MMGs, another option with a 30 day money back return and exceptional sound are the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/reviews/aa2007-04.pdf http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/reviews/HTS340Ascend.pdf

 

I have a feeling that you wouldn't be sending any of it back.

Aztec Armadillo
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I got  the Music Hall MMF 2.2LE on the way. (red bits make it go faster)

In terms of CD players:
Is there any difference in the 450-500 range CD players? I ask because there are the Marantz, NAD,  Yamaha CD-S700, Emotiva etc? I would hope so, but I'm more or less settled on the emotiva for this.

Reciever:
The whole separate pre-amp and power amp is unappealing as it roughly doubles cost. Is the integrated alternative (600-800 range) that much worse?

(for example OUTLAW - RR-2150 RECEIVER or MARANTZ - M-CR603 SYSTEM)

Speakers:
Do the ascend acoustics selection differ much soundwise from the speakers I listed?

Aztec Armadillo
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After looking around I found that music direct also has a 30 return policy. So I'm probably going to get the Marantz PM6004 as a reciever  unless +$200. I don't think I'm going to be able to differentiate tha much at this point between the competition,

jackfish
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PM6004 may be an underwhelming performer. I'd look into the Music Hall A15.2 instead from Music Direct for $499.

In my opinion, the Emotiva ERC-2 is the cream of the crop of the group including it, the Marantz CD6004, the NAD C546BEE, and the Yamaha CD-S700.

The worst thing that can happen is that you end up with less than you want. Would it be worth the $150 to get the Emotiva separates over an $800 integrated amplifier? In my opinion, yes. "I would lean more towards quality versus cost." was your statement. The 30 day money back guarantee from Music Direct is not a "no questions asked" policy and it is implied that it applies to damage or defects. They don't come right out and say you can return items for any reason. Emotiva has a 30-day, no questions asked, hassle-free returns policy. Ascend states, "If for any reason during this 30-day trial period you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return these items for a complete refund."

The Magnepan MMG and Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Mains rival loudspeakers which cost $1,500 and $1,000 a pair, respectively.

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