Vandersteen speakers (California).  VPI turntable (New Jersey).

This probably should have been posted in the Entry Level Forum, but I'll give it a shot for you.

The Vandersteen Model 2CE Signature II speakers would definitely be a first choice; they are $2395. I have had Vandersteen speakers for 30 years and they are wonderful. I just traded in my old 3A speakers for the Treo, and they are incredibly good. They are 100% designed and manufactured in Hanford, California.

There are other US-based speaker companies, but they use almost 100% foreign components. I don't know of any other major manufacturer in this price range that legitimately can claim to produce their speaker entirely in the USA (Avalon or Thiel might have something competetive???...I doubt it). Others are all $10,000++.

Even if you can find an inexpensive amplifier "made" in the USA, it will be made almost entirely of components sourced from other countries. The fact that the final assembly may have been done here really doesn't make it a truly 100% domestic product. Van Alstine probably does have the closest thing to a USA-made amplifier that you can afford. Their Synergy Integrated Amplifier is $1799.

Offerings from Ayre, Boulder, Audio Research, and Conrad-Johnson are way out of that budget range.

Are there any turntables for under $1000 that are US-made? I don't know of any. The VPI Traveller, at $1300, may be the only thing that comes close.

I guess that adds up to $5500...close...lol.

roadster wrote:

A "casual listener" friend presented me with a challenge; put together a small system, i.e. speakers, integrated or pre/power amp, and a source (cdp, TT, pc, etc) of some sort. All for $5,000...and all USA made. Speakers are a simple find. The amp...Van Alstine or Odyssey are the only ones with whom I'm familiar. As for a source I have no idea.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.