College student needs help with audio setup

[ciscokid1970]

I wish you long audio appreciating life and happy college education.

What I did is bought stuff that was nice enough to keep in my bedroom once I graduated or move to my office.

During my days (early 90s) I bought a nice quality yamaha mini system and a nice pair of headphones. This was perfect since dorm rooms are small and a little power goes a long way and the headphones were very handy for studying late at night and not upsetting your roommate or neighbor.

Get a nice clock radio with cd player (waking up to nice music is great)
cambridge soundworks 740 $400 one piece, good sound space efficient, cd player, alarm.
JVC FSB70 $250 5cd changer micro system with alarm
Onkyo MC35 $400 very good sound NO Alarm though
Denon Dm31s $400 very good sound, with alarm

Nice headphones.
Sennheiser 570s headpones $100 on the net, VERY comfortable and good sound (yes 580s and 600s are better BUT high impedance will require headpone amp)

When I was in school I used my headphones more than anything.