With your budget you might want to go the used route. You can save a bundle of money on better gear than you can afford new.
For example
Adcom GFP-450 Tuner/preamp $200
Adcom GFA-545 Power Amp $200
You can find these and others at www.audiogon.com

This way you can spend $500 to $600 for a pair of used speakers and get a nice Cambridge Audio CD player ($350 from Audio Adviser www.audioadvisor.com). That will leave you with $100 bucks or so for interconnects, speaker cables and other accessories.
Buying used gear from Audiogon is not like buying from eBay. The sellers are audio enthusiasts or dealers.

With a setup like I've described above you will get reasonably good sound with an easy upgrade path because you're already on the road to more and better separates.
The price range for the speakers means you'll get something that cost another audiophile up to two thousand or so a pair a couple of years age. Check out www.audiokarma.com They concentrate on used and vintage gear. You will find very different views and opinions there than on this site. Those guys do know how to squeeze a dollar.

If you want to spend $1500, buy new and get done with it, you can get:
1) A universal player (NAD T515) (or a dedicated cd/SACD player like C515BEE, C542, C525BEE if you are not going to watch movies)
2) NAD Integrated amplifier(315BEE, 325BEE)
3) Book shelf speaker from PSB (Image B25).
If you are in the Chicago area try "Saturday audio" they have good deals on NADs and PSBs.

Surely going the used route (audiogon.com) you will be able to get better components. But the risks of buying online are there.

If you want to buy something so that you can slowly build on your system, wait until you get some more money (say $2000) and first buy a very nice CD player(around $1000) a decent amplifier and a speaker (as listed above, the NAD and the PSB). And when you have more money you can slowly upgrade your speakers and amplifiers one by one. Hope this helps.

Mark,

Good suggestions from Pradeep about the NAD equipment.
The Marantz, Music Hall and Onkyo are also some good choices. You may also want to take a look at the Rotel RA-1062 int amp and RCD-1072 cdp. These will put you at your budgets limit but well worth it. As for speakers, to stay close to your budget, give a listen to the Epos ELS-3 or the B&W 685.

If you are upgrading, in the long run you can think about something like :
Exposure 2010S Integrated amp (Stereophile Class A @ $1095)
Matching Exposure 2010S CD player ($1095)
(acousticsounds.com)
Monitor Audio RS6 speakers (Stereophile Class B @ $1000 per pair).
I am not sure how the Exposure electronics match with Monitor Audio speakers. I have put together this system based on stereophile rating. So auditioning is important.
Other speakers you can review are Vandersteen 1C,Totem Acoustic Arro, PSBs, Magnepans around $1000 price range.

Now this would be around $3500, but I think you will have a very nice system which you can be satisfied with for a long long time, without any doubt.

If you live somewhere with an active Craigslist, it is a great way to go because you can usually audition the speakers first - and at the very least inspect them and not worry so much about damage during shipping.

You can also find some Epos speakers for $300/pair on sale (I saw them recently at MusicDirect for around that).

Just two small suggestions.

I'd think about listening to something like this:

OPPO DV-980H for $170 for the source.
http://www.stereophile.com/musicintheround/108mitr/index1.html

NAD C326BEE for $500 for the amp.
http://nadelectronics.com/reviews/TAS-C325BEE-C525BEE-Review

PSB Image T45 loudspeakers for $750/pair.
http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews/SoundStage-Image-T45
http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews/Inner-Ear-T45-HT-Review
http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews/DVD-ETC-Image-T45

The EPOS ELS-3 would be a must buy item for your price range, I think. Both The Absolute Sound and Stereophile picked it as a very highly recommended item. They were $400, but they now have been superseded by the ELS-8, and are now available for $300 at a couple of online stores while stock lasts. Check Music Direct and Audio Advisor. Also, Music Direct is offering a couple of very nice Marantz CD players at half-price on a VERY attractive closeout sale (around $300-400). Music Direct's current sale has a LOT of extremely good deals!

The NAD C325BEE, which I purchased for my #2 system (video), is very good but also discontinued; I guess that the 326 is the replacement. When buying NAD, the "BEE" suffix is a must; that means that Bjorn Edvard Erickson personally was involved in the design, and he is the MAN!!!...lol. I think that for under $1000, the NAD "BEE" integrated amps are impossible to beat; if you want to go a bit over, then Creek or Rotel....Oops; I forgot the Music Hall a25.2 integrated; another good one for $700.

Don't forget to budget $100 or so for some heavy, solid, speaker stands, 28 to 30 inches high; very important!

EPOS ELS-3 Link... http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73457

The best bang for your buck is used. If you decide on new electronics you can still save a bundle on speakers. Instead of little boxes with almost adequate bass you'll get bigger boxes, maybe even floor standers with reasonable bass. Buying from Audiogon is a lot safer than buying from eBay.
Yo! Do you guy's have some kind of problem with used? I almost never hear it mentioned even when an OP is talking about a limited budget. Given the choice between some new, little, bass shy boxes and 2 year old floor standers with "real" bass and better overall balance; I know what I'd go for.

It isnt always so that monitor speakers are "bass shy"
even if it were the case always.. you have to take into account that not everyone even cares about sub-herz bass extension...

the best bang for his buck is whatever he likes and can afford. not necessarily used, floor standers or monitors. we all have different tastes so...

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The best bang for your buck is used. If you decide on new electronics you can still save a bundle on speakers. Instead of little boxes with almost adequate bass you'll get bigger boxes, maybe even floor standers with reasonable bass. Buying from Audiogon is a lot safer than buying from eBay.
Yo! Do you guy's have some kind of problem with used? I almost never hear it mentioned even when an OP is talking about a limited budget. Given the choice between some new, little, bass shy boxes and 2 year old floor standers with "real" bass and better overall balance; I know what I'd go for.

Is there some kind of problem here? Is everyone on this site dead set against used gear? Stating it again: You get more bang for your buck buying used. I don't care what size speaker or how powerful an amp. You get more for your money buying used.

ncdrawl do you have a problem buying used? Does anyone else here have a problem with used gear. I never see it mentioned when giving advice to newbies.

Buying used gear has enabled many friends and acquaintances to buy and listen to reasonably good gear. Perhaps I should have said "the most for your money". Buying used gives just that. If that isn't the best bang for your buck we are not speaking the same language.
I don't get it. On other threads on this forum there are complaints about speakers that cost too much. Why am I the only one here that is waving the flag for saving money?

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Is there some kind of problem here? Is everyone on this site dead set against used gear? Stating it again: You get more bang for your buck buying used. I don't care what size speaker or how powerful an amp. You get more for your money buying used.

I would say that statement can only be true if you are buying a known item. If you've auditioned the specific component within your own system and found it to be a synergistic fit, then you can save money buying a pre owned component. That leaves out how you found the opportunity to audition the product in your system and who gets screwed in that transaction but you can save money for yourself.

However, buying any product just because you can save some money is a very poor excuse for buying a single piece of a system. If the final result isn't important to you, then there's a good chance you can also save money buying something new with a discount.

Buying used or from an internet dealer works if you know exactly what you want. Like I said, there's a missing argument in such buying decisions that need not be rehashed at this time. Buying just to save a few bucks is generally either not worth the money wasted on items you'll find not suitable to your system or you could have done just as well buying willy-nilly from a retailer based solely on discount.

If you really have your priorities down, then buying from a description such as this ...

Quote:
This was the companion pre to the Pass amp currently listed in a separate ad that I'm selling for my good audio friend.

Non-smoking household.

Power supply umbilical is just over 5 1/2'.

Rated 7 for scratch on one of the wooden knobs.

... probably isn't your best bet without that in home audition.

Quote:

Quote:
Is there some kind of problem here? Is everyone on this site dead set against used gear? Stating it again: You get more bang for your buck buying used. I don't care what size speaker or how powerful an amp. You get more for your money buying used.

I would say that statement can only be true if you are buying a known item. If you've auditioned the specific component within your own system and found it to be a synergistic fit, then you can save money buying a pre owned component. That leaves out how you found the opportunity to audition the product in your system and who gets screwed in that transaction but you can save money for yourself.

However, buying any product just because you can save some money is a very poor excuse for buying a single piece of a system. If the final result isn't important to you, then there's a good chance you can also save money buying something new with a discount.

Buying used or from an internet dealer works if you know exactly what you want. Like I said, there's a missing argument in such buying decisions that need not be rehashed at this time. Buying just to save a few bucks is generally either not worth the money wasted on items you'll find not suitable to your system or you could have done just as well buying willy-nilly from a retailer based solely on discount.

If you really have your priorities down, then buying from a description such as this ...

Quote:
This was the companion pre to the Pass amp currently listed in a separate ad that I'm selling for my good audio friend.

Non-smoking household.

Power supply umbilical is just over 5 1/2'.

Rated 7 for scratch on one of the wooden knobs.

... probably isn't your best bet without that in home audition.

People spending $1500 are more interested in hearing some music than "synergistic fit". Come down from the tower long enough to deal with the real world. He asked us for help. You are not helping by talking about synergy. You don't like used OK. It's not necessary to get all snotty and talk about amps being raised in a smoke free environment.
Lots of us here keep an eye on Craigs List. Helping someone else find something good on CL and save money is a good thing.
When people come here with a small budget asking for advice they want to hear good music reproduction as economically as possible. Passing out platitudes about synergy and other pretentious crap has no real bearing on a $1500 budget.
As far as items being a known factor, there are no dealers who lend gear to people on a $1500 budget.
When I'm asked to help someone spend $1500 on sound reproducing equipment I try to recommend the highest quality sound for their dollar. I tell them upfront what I would do with that kind of budget. They will almost always follow my recommendations. After all, they came to me as the expert. Buying used for them is no different than for me. I'll go with them to audition and purchase gear. When they get it home I'll help setup and adjust whatever it is. I'll even bring some demo quality recordings to listen to. More assistance is merely a phone call away.
Most of that can can be reproduced by this venue.
I keep mentioning the $1500 figure because the OP said it was his budget. You seem to have overlooked that part.

Your attitude would have turned me away from wherever you used to work. I'm reminded of when I visited Music and Sound in Willow Grove PA. If I parked my Porsche out front the sales staff tripped all over themselves to wait on me. When I parked around back they did their best to ignore me.

You can even find new stuff for a substantial discount on AudiogoN.

Like new PSB Image T55s for $650.

There's nothing wrong with buying used. I bought some of my gear used (mostly locally in-person), and it helped me put together something I thoroughly enjoy for less money than I would have spent otherwise. Sure, you should be careful not to get screwed, and you lose the benefits of using a local dealer, but you can get good deals.

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When people come here with a small budget asking for advice they want to hear good music reproduction as economically as possible. Passing out platitudes about synergy and other pretentious crap has no real bearing on a $1500 budget.

Whenever a budget places any restrictions on your purchase, system synergy is IMO more important than ever. That's hardly a "platitude". That's a truism!

Finding the correct balance of components that compliment each other's strengths and downplays the certain trade offs of budget gear results in a system that is more than the sum of its parts.

If the sum of the parts and the money saved is your priority, then synergy flies out the window and has no place in the discussion. Synergy and personal priorities mean nothing to someone who buys what another ear has told them to like. At that point, the system is merely producing music that is more acceptable than a boom box or rack system. That's sufficient for some people. I can't imagine that's why someone would show up on a forum such as this - just to get names of components they know nothing about that they can then buy used. I find it impossible to make recommendations with the laundry list the op has provided but I also find it unhelpful to suggest he just go assemble whatever he sees nice and shiny on the used shelves.

I'm not at all against buying used gear - I'm against just assembling a bunch of boxes and calling it a good system. I did occasionally have customers like you who couldn't get beyond their own preconceptions to listen to what I was showing them - dollars most often got in the way. Sometimes they would end up at another shop where a friend worked and I would find out they bought their collection of boxes, mostly on sale or at a high discount. I have to say loosing the sale didn't bother me though I was bothered they didn't take the time to listen to another opinion. They could have done just as well asking the appliance department clerks in the big box stores what they would have liked to own. The customer is always right, eh?

I never worked with anyone who didn't understand system synergy though I did work with a few who favored making their commission over helping the client.

If the op wants to test this "synergy" thing, he should go to any mass maket shop and just switch through a few components. Or find an independent shop that still has a wall of speakers/receivers to choose from. Then find a dealer who will sit down and work with him, showing him a few possible system combinations in and out of his price range. If he can hear no difference between what he selects with his eyes closed and what is reproduced by a well put together system, he shouldn't bother spending the money.

Buying used is a very nice option, half of my system is built of used components. For a newbie sometimes it might be even difficult to evaluate the condition of a used component. What I would like to suggest is
1: Even if you know exactly what you want, please take a look at the particular component you want to buy and be sure of its condition. So I recommend local purchases where you can go and take a look at what you are buying.
2: Make sure that it will match with your system. For ex my lps sounded many many times better with the $250 Bellari VP129 in my system than the other $800 phono stage I audiotioned.
3: Make sure you have good back up for service, when you buy used components. Do not buy 10, 15 year old components even from top brands if you cannot service them.
4. When you are buying a completely new system, you have the luxury of listening to the whole system at the showroom, which is reasonable enough. There is no worry of the dealer loaning you an equipment. I am sure that almost all of the hifi dealers have a good and reasonably priced budget system.

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I don't get it. On other threads on this forum there are complaints about speakers that cost too much. Why am I the only one here that is waving the flag for saving money?

The problem for beginners buying used gear is the real threat of being ripped off by a service technician if something goes wrong. The second, and probably more important question, is how to find that rare beast, an honest, skilled audio technician. They're as scarce as hen's teeth but worth their weight in gold if you're lucky enough to find one.
On the other hand there are some really third rate repairs done by retailers under new equipment warrantees. It's a jungle out there.

Hey, guys I was mostly thinking of speakers. I also said that when I recommend used products to a "newbie" I go along with them when they buy. I've been involved in this hobby for 41+ years. I've learned a little along the way.

Also, some things are worth the risk. I'd probably still be auditioning gear to assemble my first system if I wasn't willing to just "bite the bullet," and take a few risks. It turns out, I was able to assemble a system that I really, really enjoyed within a month of deciding to do it. So, I've had several months now of discovery new music (even genres! thanks for the jazz advice guys!), while I could be out hunting down the perfect new gear, etc. As I listened to my system, my tastes and sensitivities developed so I could discern the difference between, for example, my internal phono stage and different external phono preamps, and buy the one I really, really like. It is a fun process and people can be allowed to jump right in.

Sure, there is a risk that my system would've sounded like crap, even after researching (and usually auditioning, and definitely auditioning the used speakers), but there was a better chance it wouldn't. Is there a system out there that sounds a bit better for a little less money? Probably, but when I had nothing, I didn't want to waste time hunting it down - you have to draw a line somewhere. Now that I have something that is decent and I enjoy, I can discover new equipment, etc.

In sum: there has to be a balance between reasonable research and auditioning and just "doing it," especially when it comes to those buying their first system.

Quote:

Quote:
When people come here with a small budget asking for advice they want to hear good music reproduction as economically as possible. Passing out platitudes about synergy and other pretentious crap has no real bearing on a $1500 budget.

Whenever a budget places any restrictions on your purchase, system synergy is IMO more important than ever. That's hardly a "platitude". That's a truism!

Finding the correct balance of components that compliment each other's strengths and downplays the certain trade offs of budget gear results in a system that is more than the sum of its parts.

If the sum of the parts and the money saved is your priority, then synergy flies out the window and has no place in the discussion. Synergy and personal priorities mean nothing to someone who buys what another ear has told them to like. At that point, the system is merely producing music that is more acceptable than a boom box or rack system. That's sufficient for some people. I can't imagine that's why someone would show up on a forum such as this - just to get names of components they know nothing about that they can then buy used. I find it impossible to make recommendations with the laundry list the op has provided but I also find it unhelpful to suggest he just go assemble whatever he sees nice and shiny on the used shelves.

I'm not at all against buying used gear - I'm against just assembling a bunch of boxes and calling it a good system. I did occasionally have customers like you who couldn't get beyond their own preconceptions to listen to what I was showing them - dollars most often got in the way. Sometimes they would end up at another shop where a friend worked and I would find out they bought their collection of boxes, mostly on sale or at a high discount. I have to say loosing the sale didn't bother me though I was bothered they didn't take the time to listen to another opinion. They could have done just as well asking the appliance department clerks in the big box stores what they would have liked to own. The customer is always right, eh?

I never worked with anyone who didn't understand system synergy though I did work with a few who favored making their commission over helping the client.

If the op wants to test this "synergy" thing, he should go to any mass maket shop and just switch through a few components. Or find an independent shop that still has a wall of speakers/receivers to choose from. Then find a dealer who will sit down and work with him, showing him a few possible system combinations in and out of his price range. If he can hear no difference between what he selects with his eyes closed and what is reproduced by a well put together system, he shouldn't bother spending the money.

Please give the I know everything about everything attitude a rest. I'm not one of your customers and I doubt I ever would be with your attitude. "Synergy" is something I'm well aware of. That's why I use tubes to drive my stats. My other gear was chosen with complementary characteristics. I've been actively involved in this hobby for 41 years and yes, I've made some mistakes. However, I've never tried to come across as the ultimate authority on anything. I don't know everything and neither do you!
As far as synergy goes, I have gone that route with my personal selection of gear. After this many years I have learned a little something. The most important thing I've learned is I am not the ultimate be all end all of audio. No one is.
Someone with $1500 to spend is more concerned with playing some music than platitudes about synergy. Your attitude is why many people don't want to patronize "high end emporiums".
Please note, I never recommended anything in particular. I merely raised the idea of buying used gear.

You also seem to have missed the part where I said that when I recommend gear to someone I go with them to make sure they don't make what I consider a bad choice. I also help them set up and make any necessary adjustments in their listening area. Getting my friends and neighbors better sound is what I'm concerned with. They are after all, friends and neighbors.

Your so called synergy is nothing more than system matching. That's something I've always tried to practice. Those that I assist get the same care and concern about this as my own system does.