QED makes some really nice speaker cables that we don't see on this side of the pond. The Chord stuff is overrated from my experience. I would suggest you pick up one of the excellent Brit Hi-Fi mags; Hi-Fi Choice or What Hi-Fi. Very good guidance to be found there, unlike the US audio "press".
Yea nice rig. "Cheap" isn't bad and "expensive" is more often BS than anything else. Nice sound for low price is as said above "ahead of the game." Where in the UK? If you are in London meet with these folks if you get the chance. There are a few folks there that will get you great sound for <$$. I admit I'm partial to tubes. http://www.earthcurrents.com/london-live/
Its a good point, i also use a portable minidisc and tape players, the way i see it the more formats the more music you can listen to. And the fact that tuners and tape players are pretty inexpensive nowadays made it a cheap upgrade. Any suggestions about improvements, I particularly need speaker wire. Bear in mind i'm in the UK.
Like Viridian said, it's nice to seem someone else with a tuner, too. I also have a tape deck but I only use it for playback of my ameteur performances from High School and College. And in that purpose mine suits me well. You might also consider a use turn table and DIY phonostage. There is lots of music out there on vinyl for a $1 or two. Though I have spent as low as 50 cents and as high as 8 bucks for used vinyl. new vinyl tends to run $13 to $30. It's something else to think about.
Overall spend on this system was around £600-700. This does include the Kefs, which were bought late 80s for £150. The only other component bought new is the CD-753 and the BS-300, otherwise known as the infamous white van speakers, but believe me, they suit their purpose as rears fine. Speaker wire is still a bit sketchy though - better than doorbell wire, but not much!
Nice rig. You're way ahead of the game. Note that many, many systems described here, even at prices that would make a sultan blush, do not include tape and radio. Imagine how much more music you have opened yourself to than they have. It's not about the toys; it's about the music. Regards, Marty
