Putting together a budget (as in frugally cheap) 2 channel system, help!

[02audionoob]

All new options (although I'm over budget)...

Denon DRA-297 receiver - http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3365.asp

Denon DP-300F turntable - http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3145.asp

Denon DVD-1740 DVD/CD player - http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3744.asp

Paradigm Atom - http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...4-1-1.paradigm


I really don't think it makes as much sense to buy a cheap new turntable now and upgrade later as it does to just buy something decent, now. It's not a huge investment to buy a Denon DP-300F or Pro-Ject Debut III and it should be good for many years. With either turntable, I'd look at a cartridge upgrade at some point. It's less urgent with the Pro-Ject turntable than the Denon. The advantage of the Denon is its built-in phono preamp so you don't need a phono input on the receiver. Receivers with phono inputs are less common than they used to be, so needing one would limit your options.