Elac 208.2

HI Jonnie,
Since your budget is 2000, would suggest that you have an approximate breakup of 500-800 for
CDP, AMP and speakers.
and around 200 for Interconnects and Speaker cable.
(You have the option of buying speakers second hand)

even if yur speaker is good and the Amp/CDp is not..you would anyway be pretty disappointed

Elacs are very fast, accurate and revealing speakers and if the Amp or CDP is not up to the mark, you will not be happy with the sound anyway.

If you are not very confortable with buying separates.. i would suggest you audition the Linn Classik system.. it contains a CDP, Amplifier all in one Unit as well as Linn Kan speakers. (Or any other speaker which u like)

These beat the hell out of many entry level separates for the same cost and should be available for around 2000 Euros

Or else you can try the classic and well recommended options like NAD/Rotel/Marantz cdp and amp along with Quad,Dynaudio,Mission, B&W or even other Elac models speakers..choices are many

BTW.. here is a review of the same

http://www.enjoythem.../0400/classickan.htm

ARJ is right ! Good speakers need to be aprtnered with equally good amps and sources.

The choices ARJ has put up I agree with completely. Try and listen to other speakers and combinations as well. Who knows you may find one to your liking and cheaper.

The best thing to do is to audition the whole setup together to get the right picture.

manek.

Thanks for the contributions ARJ. great forum!

I Notice you all advise the Nad521BEE/NAD320BEE combination.
Is it any good with the Elac 208.2 speakers.
my first choice would be Yamaha AX 496 amp with CDX 596 cdp because of mij budget, but if the Nad makes a better combination i will save some more.

Well NAD, as said before is the king of entry level systems. it provides a taste of what hifi is about.
In case u want to upgrade..there is a good market for its products and if you do not, it can stay with you for a long time.
Depending on which country you are , it may be possible to get a new C521BEE cdplayer (Unless you are sure of the source, a cd player is better bought new) and a used C320BEE amp for around or less than 500 euro
Hence still leaving you with enough for your speakers.. But do remember tht u would still have an additional 100-200 euros for a pair of speaker wires and one pair of interconnects...they are important too !

If you liked the sound of the Yamaha amps with the speakers there is no harm going for it..but do not go by what u feel in the first 15 min . you should listen for longer times and ideally overr 2-3 days so that youn are sure this is the sound you would like to listen to for long times.

yes...through auditioning is the key.