Hi Radek.
Thanks for joining the forum. I think people will need a little more info in order to be able to help. What is your source, will you be listening to CDs or vinyl? Do you already own a CD player or turntable? What types of music do you listen to most often? How big is your room?

The answers to these questions will help narrow down your options.

If you don't mind buying used, consider the following:

Speakers:

NHT 2.9

Paradigm Studio 100 v2

Magnepan 1.6R

Gallo Reference 3 or 3.1

Integrated
Musical Fidelity A308

Creek 5350SE

Radek,

Also research audiocircle.com

There are many manufacturers that sell direct and the 3,000.00 system you buy that way would be closer to 6,000.00 retail.

Most of them offer 30 day in home trials.

Post the same query in AC's entry level or beginners circle and you will get a lot of good advice.

Of course you will get good advice here as well

The difference, I suspect, will be the advice here might be more aimed at retail gear and the advice at AC will be aimed more toward direct sales.

At the very least , you will expand your knowledge base and can make a well informed decision.

I think Vandersteen 2ceII might be awesome for your room, w/ the music you play. If you want to go monitors, you can probably find used Usher Tiny Dancer speakers for $2k. As for integrated, a lot of options. Can't go wrong w/ a used Creek 5350SE. Also consider Cambridge Audio products & Rega Mira 3. I haven't heard Exposure amps, but they're very highly regarded. Or look for used Plinius integrated amps; they sound awesome and can drive almost any speakers.

there should be some good dealers in your area, find them, listen to some products, listen to some advice. let them help put a total package together for you as every change you make affects the total sound. a good dealer will move speakers and electronics around for you. also, a good listening room will help you hear differences. take some of the music you like to the shop. after your dealer spends several hours with you and it is time to buy, support your dealer so that he will be there in the future and to help you upgrade. my dealer sells my trade in stuff for me at no charge.
i will now put on my flame resistant suit as the above is considered heresay by many on this forum, but has led to my long term satisfaction (no, i am not rich).
most of all, have fun in your search.

tom

Given your budgetary constraints, I would go with an integrated. It's considerably cheaper quality wise may be just as good as separates at these price points. I think integrated vs separates start make a difference at a considerably higher price. At this point, the thing that separates would get you is flexibility.

I've heard of their CD players, but don't know much about their amps. You should go try the CEC out, but compare w/ Rega, Creek, CA. Ultimately, what your dealer tells you is subjective, too. Plus, you should think about the resale/trade-in value... I doubt that CEC will hold its value as well as the Creeks. To complicate your dilemma further: try to hear Atoll IN 100 if you can anywhere. There was a time when I was contemplating between Atoll & Creek and I was leaning more toward the Atoll sound. They're completely made in France, too. Pretty rare in this made-in-China era.

You might want to listen to the Paradigm Reference Studio 20 speakers if you use them as monitors and have a separate subwoofer. They are very neutral and accurate-sounding speakers with excellent imaging. However, if you don't want a subwoofer, listen to the Studio 100's.