Hello... this is my first post. I have a question to ask and do so with a certain amount of fear and trepidation...

I'm looking for a best 'bang for buck' system for playing CD and DVDs in the sub $1000 range. When I say 'system', I mean amp, speakers (2.0, 2.1, 5.1, anything), CD/DVDP, the lot.

I realise this is a high-end type forum, but owing to financial constraints, I'm still hoping that there may be some advice from experienced audiophiles for the price-range I can afford.

First, I want to congratulate Stereophile for offering more reviews of affordable choices in HiFi gear; this is a welcome re-awakening!

I started out looking to replace my old CD player, and find myself hoping for a music server, e.g., Olive, although price considerations may force me to go the music player, DAC, HDD route.

Most of your reviews on media players/servers talk about hooking them up to the Benchmark DAC 1, which retails for $950, a not inconsiderable price on its own.

My first post.
After years of being reasonably happy with CDs, I decided on my recent sabbatical it was high time to get a turntable. And build an LP collection to go with it...
The decision was made on a mountain, about 5,000 metres up, in Nepal, on the way to the tibetan border...
Hohenrausch may have had something to do with the decision...

does it need to be broken in for 100 hours? I just got mine, will it read better after 100 hours? Is it "audio grade" paper and ink? It's robust, thick, heavy. Will the pace of the read improve with time? What about eye distortion? What kind of light should i use to read it under? audio grade lighting? What color temp is audio grade lighting?

http://us.fluke.com/usen/products/Fluke+345.htm?catalog_name=FlukeUnitedStates

Can anyone tell me if there is a significant amount of heat on the driver basket(surround) of tweeters, midrange or woofers when played for an excessively long time hard? Excessively long time being in excess of one hour.

TheEntryLevel-ML-20999-ML-

I grew up with some great music at a time when you could pick up an LP and listen to it from start to finish and say "wow, this is great music!". Unfortunetly we now live in an era where music companies produce products instead of artists. The lack of real good music is one of the reason iTunes has been successful in my opinion..why spend $11.99 on a CD when you can purchase the one good song for $.99?