Suggestions for mini-system -- 300-400

I just bought a Denon M30 Minisystem from letsgodigital.com for $309. MSRP is $449. The M30 consists of a Denon single disk cdp/tuner paired with Mission speakers. I bought it as a supplementary system for my wife to use in a relatively small family room. My primary system is made up of Stereophile "B" components and I find the Denon is fine for that application. Stereophile Magazine quotes, " a remarkably compact, consistently fluent system that won't chafe your audiophile sensiblilties" in the April 2001 recommended components issue.

Brian,

This is easy. DMC Electronics offers on this site an NAD L-40 factory reconditioned unit for $360. I own one. Paired with some used Paradigm Atoms or something similar this will rock. Lovan offers some 24" stands found online for $55.

The Denon system mentioned is very decent for the money, but this will smoke it. Good luck.

The nakamichi Sound Space 5 is pretty good and can be had on ebay and maybe ubid for around 500.00. It sounds pretty good and looks great.

The TEAC Reference 100 system is very good. Better still, it's available at Costco/Price Club with a diferent model number (MD90 or something like that) for under $200. You can add a sub, or replace the speakers with something larger and efficent. I bought one for my father-in-law and hooked up a pair of old Monitor Audio 300md's (big 2 way bookshelf speaker rated D, borderline C by JA in the late 80's). The sound is great, smooth, enough detail to satisfy a music lover (as opposed to an audiophile hobbiest), and nice soundstaging with classical music. Decent tuner too.

I took my Dad to the stereo shop, he hasn't a clue what he or she wants! There was a little Denon with Mission speakers for $699. For that price I could buy him a set of bookshelves and a receiver and cheapo CD player. It wouldn't be as small, but I don't think they will care.

At any rate, I don't know what they will do; he may just turn her lose at Sam's Club or something! I am probably just wasting everyone's time here.