I purchased my 1st system! I'm excited & nervous @ the same time b/c I think I went a bit overboard. Before I get into the details, here's my overall plan: two systems - one for the living room & the other for my study/den. Right now, I live in 1 bedroom. Come this May (when I'm finally out of school & working for $), I'll be in a 2 bedroom place & I'm going to use one of the rooms for my study/den/listening room.

I think I have one system set! I purchased a used Plinius 8150. I think the deal is fair ($860); I saw & auditioned the amp, & it looks pretty minty. Sounds fantastic (listened through Dali Helikons & Volent monitors). I'm picking the amp up on Monday. I was debating on speakers, then I saw the 30th Anniversary Harbeth Super HL5 pop up on Audiogon. The seller's rating score is 1029, no negative or neutral feedbacks. Called him & he said there's less than 10 hours on it, is new for all intents & purposes, and I'd have to break them in. $3500 including shipping. Couldn't resist! I'll be purchasing Cambridge Audio 840C as source & will be running SB3 through its DAC as well.

Some advices needed: 1. Speaker cables/interconnect recommendations please! I have NO clue on this topic. I want to start w/ affordable but great sounding cables, etc., and upgrade gradually, as I've splurged on equipment. 2. Where can I find the Cambridge 840C the cheapest? I remember seeing an online vendor that sold them for $1195...

Here's my idea for the 2nd system. I'll be going to Japan in a few months & I plan to purchase Leben CS600. Then I'm going to compare whether the Leben sounds better w/ the Harbeths or the Plinius. Basically, I want the living room system to be centered around the Plinius, so obviously, should the Plinius sound better w/ the Super HL5, I'll keep the system in the living room w/ Harbeths. The den system will be, then, the Leben w/ smaller speakers, maybe Audio Note AX2 or Zu Druids. If the Leben sounds better w/ Harbeths, I'll bring the Harbeths into the den (I hope they don't overwhelm the room...) and look for new speakers for the Plinius in the living room. Some speakers I'd like to audition in such a case are: Vandersteen 2CE, Vienna Acoustic Beethoven, or Acoustic Zen Adagio.

Advice needed in this case: speaker recommendations - 1. high-sensitivity speakers for Leben that would complement the small room (I have A LOT of books. Tons. I'm a book reviewer.) 2. Bigger speakers for the living room that will match well w/ the Plinius 8150.

Thanks, everyone, for your input & patience when I pestered you w/ questions. You guys have been a HUGE help throughout this process! (But I still need y'all's help!!!)