Hello, I too am working with a limited budget. Thats why i find my local craigs list very helpful in putting together a decent system that could hang with the big boys with an unlimited budget. Just yesterday there was an mcintosh 6100 posted for 500.00, a set of klipsch lascala speakers, a set of paradigm monitors, and a nice set of wharfdales modus 8 for 100.00. I think if you work at it a person could put a decent system together for around 1200.00 anyone would be proud of. just my .02 cents worth