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Try listening to Rogue Audio Cronus Integrated Amp. I think the price is around $1800. See if you can find used ones at Audiogon. I listened to these recently with Magnepan speakers and was very impressed. I have the NAD C352 and the Cronus is one step above. The components that you have listed vary from $900 to $1500...how much do you want to spend? I would suggest you listen to these three components and make the decision. All are good products for their cost.

Thanks Pradeep for the suggestions. i was planning on spending $3,000-$3,500 max, thats all the spending money i have now. I don't think i will be able to listen to these components beforehand because there arent that many stores in my area that sell this type of stereo equipment, so ill have to go by reviews that people give on them.

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That Rotel RX-1052 is available for around $800. It is a stereo receiver while the others you listed are integrated amplifiers. It is certainly a very servicable unit with adequate power for most any loudspeakers. Some people like the Rotel sound, but it is different from say the NAD or Cambridge Audio stuff.

I'd also look into the Cambridge Audio 640A and NAD C355BEE.

I am a big proponent of the Jolida JD1501A ($675), so if you can, check it out as well.

For subwoofers look no further than SVS, HSU or REL.

Oh, sorry for not realizing this, i'm very new to the whole field lol. What is the difference between a receiver and integrated amp? does one have the ability to hook up to a TV or something?

when you say the Rotel sound is different from NAD or Cambridge, do you mean that the Rotel is good but not as good as the others?

I've heard many good things about SVS for a while, so i think ill go with them for the subwoofer.

Thanks for your help Jackfish.

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A receiver is three products built into one box:

Tuner-Either AM/FM or just FM.
Preamplifier-Offers source switching and volume control
Amplifier-Drives the speakers

An integrated amplifier is a receiver minus the tuner.

The Rotel RX-1052 is a great receiver, by far the best stereo receiver I have ever heard that is on the market today and I don't say that lightly. Part of that is due to the fact the high-end companies don't like to build receivers (partly for performance reasons, but at least partially because of image issues.) Some people find Rotel a little "bright" (meaning that they feel it has a little too much high frequency information in the sound.) But others would feel that the NAD are too "warm" (a little too rolled off in the high frequencies.) I've recommended the 1052 to many friends and the ones who took my advise never regretted it.

I'd recommend looking at a REL subwoofer. Their ability to expand the soundstage is remarkable. They integrate more seamlessly than any other sub I've heard. When properly set up the sub is not a source of audible sound, it just sounds like the left/right speakers have had a major increase in bass extension. Of course that sounds like a description of what ALL subs do, unfortunately they don't. RELs are the perfect sub for those who want musical bass, that perfectly matches what a great speaker can produce.

Hey mrlowry, thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm going back to the place that recommended me the rotel to give it a listen and i will look into the REL as well, thanks for the help!

by the way, i took a look at your blog and the article about that person who build those trench like passages was just too much haha, but i'd love to hear the system.

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Instead of the 1052 you may want to consider the Rotel RA-1062 integrated amp along with the RCD-1072 cd player. Both well regarded.

Hey Mike53. Thanks for the suggestion what i was planning to do was just use my iPod instead of a CD player. Do you guys think thats a bad idea? I heard the best thing to do is convert the songs with the Apple Lossless Converter.

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"At the age of 18, I don't have much money to spend ..."
"i was planning on spending $3,000-$3,500 max.."

Wow, my memory of my 18 year old self is very envious! Not a knock on you, just..wow, my goodness.

haha BillB. now that i look at it, that statement does seem somewhat retarded. Well for the past 2 years i've saved up $2,500 from work and what not, and received $1,000 from my grandparents to buy stuff for my dorm room so i hope that makes the situation better haha .