I'm buying Pro-ject Debut Carbon turntable ($400), and am searching for minimalist stereo setup to go along with it.  

I have more constraints galore:  a budget (~$1000), a wife (no big black 1980's looking components), and a baby (no loose wires / speaker stands).  Its for a large 25'x25' living room / kitchen seperated by a partial wall - but I'm not obsessed on loud - our 20W crap Sony CMT-EP313 is loud enough (and terrible sounding) at 3/4 volume.

At first I was thinking the AudioEngine A5+ powered speakers & with a modded Rolls VP29 ($50 - http://goo.gl/M1wtKq) - a win for minimalist style.  

An Onkyo A-5VL with Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers wins pricewise; but struck me as a cold / clinical, vinyl-unfriendly combo.

I've considered pairing the A-5VL ($330) with warmer Wharfendale Diamond 10.1 ($350) or 10.2's ($450) speakers.

Alternatively, I could pair the Pioneers or their floor speaker SP-FS52 bretheren ($220) with Music Hall's A15.3 amp ($550 - better phono, no DAC).

Why do all the well reviewed speakers only 4"?  Will I miss a DAC?  Am I totally off target?

Any thoughts / opinions / alternatives would be appreciated!!

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