Onkyo TX-NR838 --> $700
(supports FLAC/WAV/DSD, phono, and DLNA)
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXN838/Onkyo-TX-NR838.html?tp=179

Polk Audio RTi A7 --> $500 each
(3-way)
http://www.polkaudio.com/rtia7/d/1010

Pro Ject Debut Carbon --> $400
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_252DBCDCGB/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-DC-Gloss-Black.html

Total cost is $2100 + tax and shipping (probably free).

Happy Listening!

Unlikely with only $500 more. (Not sure what you were expecting for $2K, especially when $400 of that has already been allocated to a turntable.)

You'd be better off auditioning and pricing out the gear you truly want at your local hi-fi retailer, THEN scaling back in order to determine the must-haves within your budget.

Also, take a look at Emotiva.com if you seek budget-friendly(ier) products. A lot of their products get rave reviews, although I don't know where you can go to audition.

You can always go second-hand: audiogon.com

Good luck!

bmanuel wrote:

any other recs? would it significantly improve the speaker and amp selection to up the budget to 2500-3000? maybe get me into some Focals, PSBs etc and or a better amp? Or would i need to up the budget more to make a significant jump in budget to see a difference?

I recommend the Music Hall 15.3 amplifier, which is WAY better-sounding than anything made by Onkyo or Yamaha. It is $549 from Audio Advisor or other dealers, and is really outstanding for its price. It even has a good phono preamp built in, so you will not need to spend additional money for one.

The PSB X2T speakers run $1300 per pair, and are better than almost anything else at a comparable price IMO. They will be the anchor for your system. You might decide to upgrade in other areas, but you would have to spend at least twice as much to get significantly better speakers. They are keepers; an excellent investment.

Add your turntable and you have spent about $2200, and will have NOT a barebones system, but a very good-sounding system that will last you a long time. You might want to spend $200-300 or so to get a better phono cartridge at some point, but other than that you have some great speakers and a very good amplifier; a very good start to get you going with some very good music.

If you decide to get a player, the OPPO BDP-103 is a very good-sounding CD/SACD player, plus it has a DAC and plays DVD/BluRay also. It is a great buy for only $500.

bmanuel wrote:

...i think i'd like an integrated amp so i could have the digital capability of playing other music with people over.

My AVR suggestion was one of digital-features-first with phono capabilities. (Admittedly, I automatically assumed high-rez was on your wish list.) My apologies if I misunderstood or read-in anything that wasn't intended.

Assuming digital capability is {still} a priority, care to elaborate on your use case(s)? Am asking because with the $2200 Music Hall / PSB / Pro Ject combo, the only way you're listening to ANY digital content is with an existing component/device and a direct, analog connection.

FWIW, the Music Hall is only 50W/ch.: http://musichallaudio.com/a15-3-integrated-amplifier/. But if you care mainly/only about vinyl within that budget, definitely a worthy choice especially when paired with those PSBs.

Leave pathways for expansion and upgrading. Used stereo equipment has relatively poor residual value unless it's "audiophile" quality gear and once you get the bug upgrading the system can sometimes get out of control. So, as with all tools, buying quality equipment is important and by that I mean simple components that are relatively free of errors of commission. In analogue system the source is the cartridge and the quality of the sound thereafter can not be improved. Listening to music however is an emotional experience of the physical energy produced by the speakers or headphones. So, my advice is start at the ends and work your way to the middle with the highest quality gear you can acquire. In this case you have the front end so next would be speakers and listening to them is the only way to go. Try to find a stereo shop and go listen to different manufacturers speakers in the physical style you like. Once you find a good sound, one you like in your price range I would recommend buying them from the dealer who will hopefully understand the power requirements, what the load qualities of that particular speaker system are and then connect the dots. In between there is an opportunity to shop new and used gear. Separates, amp/preamp may allow the selection of a better quality phono section and better matched output section in addition to potential upgrade paths. Tone controls other than potentially a low pass filter probably do more harm than good unless the room and the speakers are badly matched.
So, in a nutshell; listen to the speakers, simple is better, match speakers to amplifier, phono preamp to cartridge and most importantly once you build it listen to the music, not the system.
Good luck