Are you planning on a CD only source? Computer source? Turntable? All three? How are we spending your 6K?

I have a system in my bedroom that I run from my laptop using an SB3 system for the same reasons yoou state. Right now I use the DAC in my CAL CD Player but I'm getting a Benchmark.

SB3 300
Benchmark DAC 1000
Antique Sound Labs Tube Amp AQ1001 ~ $1700 (with NOS Tubes)
Reference 3A de Capo II $2500

Leaves you about $500 for cables and tax so you might go over or skip the NOS tubes the stock sounds pretty good

I also sometimes use a digital amp from PS Audio the GCC 100 you can pick up for under $2000.

I like the sound.

Another system I use in my office is from AV123. They have excellent value for money. They have a pretty nice Onix Monitor (reference series) plus a tube Onix amp for sale (till Feb 28th) for a combined price of $1200 (normally $2200). I was blown away by the sound for the price point.

Aloha, and welcome.

I like to think about systems, no matter how high end, as temporary way-stations on the journey toward sonic bliss.

As such, planning for future change and maximizing value is paramount.

I figure at some point, you'll have some discs you want to play that aren't inside your Squeezebox, so I'll include a CD/SACD player on my list.

Since you mentioned Squeezebox, I'll fully agree with Thebe and endorse his accompnaying Benchmark DAC, but I thought it was the DAC 1. The black version is 975.00. Call the Squeezebox 300 dollars.

I'll toss in an Oppo DV-970HDCD/SACD player at 149.00 for on hand disc play. At that price, it's almost disposable, and offers a future upgrade spot without losing too much money on your initial deck.

That puts us up to 1425.00.

So, 4575.00 for electronics and speakers gives us a chance to have fun.

Let's say we hunt around a little...

The Krell KAV-300i is a SWEET sounding integrated amp that retailed for 2300 dollars or so.

Used, there is one at 1350.00

Krell Integrated.

It's got gobs of power, and I agree with those who think it may be one of Krell's finest pieces.

Here's one at 1200.00

Another KAV-300i

And another at 1150.00

1150.00

Wow, here's one for a clean grand!

Always make sure sellers are for real, of course.

So, this baby has been out of production for a while, but is holding value. If you ever want to trade up, you will most likely get back what you paid.

That leaves us 3575.00 for speakers.

I say you go for what you liked and buy the Cremonas! Well, Cremona Auditors, anyway...

Retail is 3900.00, so let's cheat and say you could find a pair for that 3575.00 dollar point.

Sonus Fabers hold value well, and these babies are so good, you might want to keep them as your system and budget "mature" and add the Cremona subwoofer system down the line. Again, you'd maximize the money you spend now.

I'll also cheat a little and say that you can go "budget" for interconnects and speaker wire. The online stores...HCM Audio and Audio Advisor have some deeply discounted models that are just one fashion season out of date.

You could escape, like Thebe suggested for under 500 bucks.

So, for a complete jaw droppingly good system, your slightly streched 6 kilodollars can get you lots of bang for the buck. And!...you can plan on not losing too much money down the road when you, and I promise you will, want to change things around.

Best wishes!

Got any Linda Ronstadt?

A college grad with $6000.00 disposable cash!?!?! WTF?
Hey, rcg, where did you graduate from?
Good luck in your audio quest!
Buddha has some great suggestions.

Dude, rcg's future is so bright, he's gotta wear shades.

I'm jealous, too.

_______________________

When I was in college, I shot a whole year's worth of scholarship money on amplifiers, in September! It all works out, somehow. (I'm humiliated to admit - they were Phase Linears; but I was very young, and most likely loaded. Plus, I'd have only wasted it, otherwise.)

Anyway, we should all try to remember to live by the old Fabulous Fury Freak Brothers motto (paraphrased): Hi Fi will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no Hi Fi.

Yeah, well, does he got any Linda Ronstadt?