home audio setup $1,500 to $2,000 range

[GHETTO.CHiLD]

hi-

i am looking to setup some nice home audio and was looking for advice as to the best receiver/speaker setups there are in the 1.5k - 2k dollar range total for speakers and receivers. i was looking at the magnepan mmgs' but i wasn't quite sure about the proper receiver/amp to pair them with. any and all advice would be appreciated. here are some details of what i am looking to accomplish.

Airplay (for iTunes)
double digital out (for my gaming headset)
receiver/amp
speakers
possibly wires or proper wire gauge as i may make the wires myself.

thanks again!

 

[Craigslist Joe]

Hi G-child.

I just got done puting together my system from Craigslist gems (hence, the moniker) for under $1400 including reciever, speakers (5) and a sub. The MSRP for the gear I have is well over $7k. The hardest thing to find is the receiver. Expect a full half to one-third of your budget will get spent on that (because of the features you are looking for). You can't always be a brand snob in this price range but you can find $2000 components for 75-80% off of MSRP if you know what to look for (people who need the money or don't care about the equipment are your huckleberries - the recently unemployed, pissed off exes, estate executors, etc.). Also, make a big deal over nicks and scratches in front of the seller. Even though it doesn't affect the sound, it helps get the price you want.

The only other advice I can give you is that if you find something awesome, GO GET IT RIGHT AWAY! Good luck! I hope you get a whale for the price of a mackerel!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

to OP:
How many speakers do you want to purchase? What would be the typical usage, How big is the space where system is intended to be in (included other rooms if open to them)

Maggies have a good sound, but harder to drive and have quite small sweet spot

 

[gmichael]

Also, what type of music do you like, and how loud do you play it?

 

[bikemig]

If all you are looking for is a 2 channel rig with the maggies, you just need to find a 4 ohm stable receiver. The magnepan website has a lot of useful information on this. The Harmon Kardon 3490 stereo receiver gets a lot of love on this site and will do the job. I recently bought an Outlaw RR2150 because it is 4 ohm stable (it does 100 watts at 8 ohms and 160 at 4); it will drive those maggies and it is a great stereo receiver.

Edit: if your main consideration is driving the maggies and doing airplay, get the HK3490 since it has digital inputs and an airport express. The airport express does not sound that great through its analog out but it sounds fine through a digital out. Personally I'd get the outlaw stereo receiver and a squeezebox touch to stream music.