I've always been a low budget audiophile. My first systems were made up of Harman Kardon, Denon; Then later NAD and Adcom. They were all great systems for the time being, after all, I was in my late teens-early adulthood. As I got older my financial position was still average so building a "decent" audiophile system was going to take time and a little luck. I am addicted to thrift shops so about 6 times a week I comb my local Goodwills and Savers stores. One Saturday afternoon I was browsing the electronics section in a Goodwill store and noticed the back of a beefy older amp or receiver located on one of there loading carts. I took a better look and realized it was a McIntosh MA6200 Integrated amp with wood cover in near mint condition. I plugged it in and saw that it powered up and took it home for $15.99. It didn't play when I hooked it up to my existing system so for a couple of hundred $$ had it fully serviced and cleaned. I know wanted to upgrade my system around my thrift store gem. Step 1, new Project table, 2, new Marantz CD player, and to complete the system a nice power conditioner from goodwill and a pair of Vandersteen Model 1's I found on Craigslist for $60.00.

At best, I think it's a modest system for my price range. I think it sounds amazing and am happy with it. I still go to the thrift stores everyday because there is always a surprise and who knows, I might find something to replace my cozy sytem.