This can be a very satisfying set-up. It is not just used for playback, but also for digitizing vinyl LPs and converting between digital formats.

Strengths: Full range sound with detail and heft. Considering the number of formats represented, this rig was put together on a very tight budget.

Weaknesses: Soundstage. I suspect that speaker cables and the room are the culprint. Seeing that I can't upgrade the room just yet, it looks like the cables will come next. Some power conditoning might follow that, but I'm open to suggestions.

Best Upgrade: the Vandersteen 2c's. Used for $440, they were a steal.

Marginal Upgrade: the addition of a second amplifier into a mono configuration. Marginal if any improvement. also, the upgrade to Tascam from a consumer phillips cd recordere didn't light my fire. I may have been better served upgrading the turntable. (an aside- i'd suggest not using the tascam machine for playback. the sound is far from satisfying.)

Best Tweak: brightstar isonode feet. For $19, they can't be beat.

Worst Tweak: The addition of fancy bannana plugs for speaker wire terminiation.