Keep in mind this is
$6000 for a SYSTEM, not for a pair of speakers.
Next, you might want a Subwoofer, but you don't need one. That would be $500 to $1000 that could be put in other places.
Here is how I break down a system, though this is not absolute, it simply establishes perspective and a starting point.
1x to 1.5x = Turntable
1x = Network Player
1x = CD Player
1x = Amp/Receiver
2x = Speakers
For the moment we will skip the Sub and Network Player.
1x to 1.5x = Turntable
1x = CD Player
1x = Amp/Receiver
2x = Speakers
That means roughly 5x to 5.5x, which when divided into $6000 yields =
$6000 / 5 = $1200 or
$6000 / 5.5 = $1090.
Again this is to lend perspective to the budget, when it comes down to buying adjust this based on your personal preferences and the equipment you find.
So -
$1000 to $1200 = Turntable
$1200 = CD Player
$1200 = Amp/Receiver
$2400 = Speakers
-------------------------------
$5800 to $6000 = TOTAL
That makes for some pretty good equipment.
That makes for some pretty good equipment. Again, once you start looking at actual equipment, you can adjust the individual components up or down to suit your personal taste.
For a turntable, as an example, the
Music Hall 5.3 = $999 -
http://www.needledoctor.com/Music-Hall-MMF-5-3-Turntable?sc=2&category=351
Several alternatives in this price range from
Project, Rega, and many others.
Although if you only have a casual passing interest in Vinyl Records, you can drop that down into the $400 to $600 range.
Next, do you want the equipment to match? That is would you get an amp from one brand and a CD Player from another?
The
Yamaha AS801 100w/ch Amp with DSD Capable DACs - $899 -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022AS801S/Yamaha-A-S801-Silver.html?tp=34948
Alternatives -
Cambridge CXA-80, 80w/ch = $999
Marantz PM8005, 70w/ch = $1199
Yamaha AS1000, 90w/ch = $1299
CD Player -
Yamaha CDS700 - $799 -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022CD700B/Yamaha-CD-S700.html?tp=197
Alternates -
Cambridge Audio CD Transport = $499
Marantz SA8005 CD/SACD Player = $1199
Yamaha CD-S1000 CD Player = $1299
As far as Speakers, that is going to be determined by the size and nature of your space. In a smaller space, perhaps Bookshelf/Subwoofer would be a better choice. For myself, I'm always starting with Floorstanding speakers.
If you can raise your budget to about $2000 to $2500, you can get a
Parasound Halo Amp that has built in Electronic Bass Management for both the Sub and Front speakers.
~$2000 will get you the
Parasound P5 Pre-Amp and the
Parasound A23 125w/ch Power Amp.
~$2500 will get you the
Parasound Integrated amps with improved DSD DACs and 160w/ch.
This is one of those areas where personal priorities can adjust the budget, if you see yourself with a Sub and Floorstanding speakers in the future, and this system is based around a Stereo Amp. They you are very likely to need either an amp with bass management or a Pre-Amp/Power-Amp system to which you can apply an external Bass Management system. But it is like squeezing a ballon, if it goes up in one place, then it has to go down in another.
For the moment, I will concentrate on Floorstanding roughly in the range of $2500/pair.
Monitor Audio Silver 8 (2x6.5", 4 ohms) - $999 EACH - (various finishes)
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_893SLVR8R/Monitor-Audio-Silver-8-Rosenut.html?tp=185
Monitor Audio Silver 10 (2x8", 4 ohms) - $1249 EACH -
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSS10&variation=EWAL
Sonas Faber Chameleon T (2x7") - $999 EACH -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_968CMT/Sonus-Faber-Chameleon-T.html?tp=185
Martin Logan Motions 60XT (2x8") - $1499 EACH - ($1599 each in Dark Cherry) -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_839M60XTGB/MartinLogan-Motion-60XT-Gloss-Black.html?tp=185
Klipsh Reference RF-7-II (2x10") - $1099 EACH -
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RF7IIC/Klipsch-Reference-RF-7-II-Cherry.html?tp=185
This is more to indicate the possibilities within the price range, rather than to make recommendations.
If we put a random system together, it looks like this -
$_999/ea = Music Hall 5.3 Turntable
$_799/ea = Yamaha CDS700 CD Player
$_899/ea = Yamaha AS801 Amp, 100w/ch, DAC
$2498/pr = Monitor Audio Silver 10 (2x8")
------------------------------------
$5195 = Total
Alternate -
$_500/ea = unspecified Turntable
$_500/ea = unspecified CD Player
$2000/pr = Parasound P5 + Parasond A23 (125w/ch) Pre-Amp/Power-Amp
$2500/pr = Monitor Audio Silver 10 (2x8") Speakers
----------------------------
$5500 = Total
That leaves your roughly $500 unspent that you can use on the turntable and/or CD Player.
OR ....
$_500/ea = unspecified Turntable
$_500/ea = unspecified CD Player
$2500/pr = Parasound Halo Integrated Amp, 160w/ch, DSD DAC, Bass Management
$2500/pr = Monitor Audio Silver 10 (2x8") Speakers
----------------------------
$6000 = Total
Notice I've deviated quite a bit from my original formula and break down. But this is how it goes, you adjust based on your priorities and the equipment you find.
Again, I'm trying to give you some sense of what is possible within your stated budget. The specific equipment you choose is more personal and for you to decide. I'm giving perspective.
Myself, I think a more basic Turntable and CD Player in exchange for the
Parasound Amps is a good trade off. But it is down to priorities. If you are very serious about vinyl collecting, then perhaps it is worth it to you to spend between $750 and $1500 on a turntable. By
Very Serious I mean 500 albums or more. If you don't foresee collecting more than 500
(~5 feet) albums, I would recommend a turntable more in the $400 to $700 range.
There are those who say once you step off the bargain basement floor, there isn't much difference in the sound of CD Players, so get a good one, but don't go overboard.
...or so they say.
Equally, if this music system will also be used to watch TV, then the
OPPO 105D ($1200) Universal BluRay Player with external access to the DAC, basic Audio and Video Streaming, and universal Disc capability, is an appealing draw.
If you want to add good quality
Audio Network/Internet Streaming capability, that will run between $500 and $1500. Though the
$500 Bluesound NODE-2 should serve the needs of most people.
That should, as I hopefully intend, lend some perspective on the possibilities within the stated budget.
Steve/bluewizard