The times have savaged my system

How about something like used Klipsch Chorus or Forte, or Large Advent loudspeakers with a vintage Marantz receiver?

A combo should run you around $1000 based on prices I've seen on Audiogon.

I think Tvad is right on the mark. Both great pieces, and you should have change left over for cables etc.

A vintage Yamaha cr-420 receiver can be had for much less used I would think and has clean low distortion sound about as good as any I have heard on any comparable vintage piece.

The phono section is simply incredible on this unit!

It replaced a vintage Tandberg TR2080 that I sold for almost $500 a year or two back and is in the same league in regards to overall sound quality, though lower on watts.

It has very low distortion that makes it sound like a high end piece and would team nicely with a pair of vintage Klipsch Forte's as suggested, I would think.

I use one that I picked up for a scant $50 on Ebay. I cleaned it up thouroughly inside and out myself in a day so it looks like new.

I use it with absolutely no second thoughts in my second 2 channel A/V system driving a pair of Triangle Titus 202s with an older powered M&K sub.

The Marantz is good also but a different kind of sound and you will pay a bit of a premium for the name.

The Marantz is good also but a different kind of sound and you will pay a bit of a premium for the name.
Mapman (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

Marantz gear sells for more (as does vintage Pioneer, Sansui and McIntosh) because the market for vintage gear from these companies is robust, as evidenced by the higher prices these components demand.

Vintage gear from Yamaha was excellent, as was gear from Kenwood.

You could also try a single driver speaker like those offered by Fritz (www.fritzspeakers.com) here on Audiogon.