What do you recommend for less than $3000

I'd go all Rega.

Jeff's Sound Values has a Quad setup [CD/Amp/Tuner] for $1400 which seems reasonable and should give many years of good service. JSV is a good outfit with fair pricing. And that leaves plenty of funds for good to excellent MMs, like Merlins, Tylers, Spendors, etc. Good luck.

How about a combination of some of the following pieces, some used and some new prices of course.

Cd players
- Rega Planet
- Jolida JD100
- Sony DVP9000ES
- Cary CD308

Integrated Amps
- Blue Circle CS
- Jolida RC1500
- Unison Research Unico
- Rogue Tempest
- Plinius 8100
- Arcam A85 Diva
- Electrocompaniet ECI-3

Speakers
- ProAc 1SC
- ProAc Tablette Series
- Totem Model 1
- Aerial Acoustics Model 5
- Jm Reynaud Twin
- Sonus Faber Concertino
- Vienna Acoustics Haydn
- Spendor S3/5
- Harbeth ••••

I've been able to get some intimate and seductive acoustic jazz and female vocals matching Blue Circle and ProAc gear. Some of these pieces on this list may stretch your budget a bit considering you'd need cables as well. Don't spend a lot on the interconnects. Maybe look at Chris Ven Haus' VH Labs Pulsar ICs.

Good luck!

Since you listen to jazz and vocals, I would look at a tube integrated like the Unico or a Jolida or hybrid Blue Circle. For speakers, take a look at the Reference 3A Dulcet minis. I have not heard them but the reviews seem good. Finally, for a front end, something like a Music Hall CD25, Cambridge D500SE or Azur 640C, NAD 541I or Rotel. A nice tube CD would be the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000. Like Gunbei square pants said, VH cabling would be nice. Signal cable too.

Lots of choices,