Is "live" music sound possible for under $1K

Here is a thought: How about an entry level tubed integrated (JoLida, nOrh, or others?) for less than $580 new paired with a used set of monitors or mini-monitors (e.g., Omega, Triangle Titus, B&W LM1, etc...). You would also need a few bucks for speaker stands and then find some lower-cost wires as suggested above. I have been thinking of adding a system such as this as a second inconspicuous listening post in a formal LR of about the same dimensions you list. I don't know if it will work or not, but that is what I have been researching.

Given you listening preferences (mine include the genres you note as well), I might suggest you consider something like:

Maggie MMGs - $400 used
Jolida 1501 integrated - $500 used
Signal Cable i/c's - $20 used
Signal Cable biwire speaker cables - $65 used

This gets you a starter system for $985, but doesn't include shipping.

Your price point makes it difficult (for me, at least) to suggest anything more. I would think the above will give you a taste for what "better than Good Guys" upstream and planar speakers can do for piano, chamber and opera (vs. box speakers).

As a Von Schweikert-to-Maggie 3.5r convert, I'm a strong advocate of planars for the type of music you mention. Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Tim

Agree with Timwat, This would be a taste of true hi-end sound and would be an outstanding system for your room size and musical taste. I take it you already have a music source.

I am doing this right now, and this is what I came up with:

Antique Sound Lab Wave AV8 monoblocks 2 @ 119 each
Antique Sound Lab Wave L1 Line Stage @ 249
Loth-X Ion 1 high 94db efficient speakers @ 300.

This is all new and goes for 787 dollars without shipping. Totals for me including shipping and insurance are coming out to $859.

Of course I haven't hear these all together yet, so I can't say if it sounds terrible or sounds wonderful, but I will know in a week or so.

You can substitute a tube phono preamp for line stage for about $250 from Antique Sound Lab as well...

Good luck
Justin

No. Live music has an immediacy that reproduced music does not equal.
This and $1.05 will buy you a cup of coffee but here goes.

-integrated amp,about $300. In addition to the Jolida mentioned in a previous post, consider the NAD 320bee,Cambridge Audio a300,and Rotel integrateds.
-cd player. either a Marantz,Cambridge Audio,or Nad piece for $200
-speakers,either a pair of Magnepan MMG's or a pair of Vandersteen 1-c,for about 500.

Happy listening.