How does speaker-fi work?

I need to get a high end speaker set up together for a friend of mine.  My question is, does speaker-fi work the same as head-fi?  We'll be playing CDs, records, tapes and it would be nice to have USB-in also.  So what should I be looking into?  Do I buy a separate dac, a separate 'speaker' amp or are there usually all-in-one units with hi-end speaker set ups.  The listening room would be around 20x20 feet.  I'm guessing book shelf speakers wouldn't be adequate, speakers on stands seem right and floor standing types would be over-kill right?  Our total budget is about $800 but it's flexible if it needs to be.  Hmm, maybe $800 total isn't anywhere near high-end, so whatever you call it, mid-fi...entry-level, anything around that price range is fine.

Thanks for the replies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 

$800 won't get you terribly far, unless you buy a lot of used equipment or build some of your own.

You will need a proper amplifier, though usually the amp needs to be driven by a preamp. You'll also find "integrated" amps that combine the two. Receivers will have both and a radio tuner, and occasionally a phono stage.

Speakers will depend on your musical tastes and the size of your room. I strongly recommend buying used ones - you'll save a lot.

Your best bet would be to find a used receiver on the cheap - maybe $50 or so. Spend the most on the speakers. A turntable will run quite a bit unless you fix up an old one. There's a good thread on that in the Source Forum.

CD players can be hooked into the receiver, but you will need a DAC if you want to run the computer into it.

Thanks for the advice.  I think I'll be looking into integrated amplifiers rather than receivers.  Are there no integrated amplifiers that also have a built-in usb-dac?  We already have most of our sources: turntable, cassette deck, cd player.  I think it would be wise to delay the dac purchase and as you say, use most of the budget on used speakers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by endless402 

800 is dooable for used entry level equipment

 

integrated amp (used models) - go for around 250-350

nad bee series

cambridge 500 series

rotel RA series

 

speakers - used prices around 200-300

wharferdale 9.1, 10.1

tannoy mercury

b&w 601 S3

 

DAC - used prices

cambridge audio dacmagic - 300-350

furutech 250-300

or the usual bunch around 200

 

cabling - reserve $50 for it

 

Thanks for the suggestions - I took a look at some of the integrated amplifier models you recommended; they're exactly what I was looking for.  What would be your suggestions on speakers in the 400-500 used range?  I think as Uncle Erik says above, it may be wise to spend more on speakers and delay the dac since it isn't essential.

Also noticed that both your philosophies differ; while Uncle Erik advises spending $50 on a cheap used receiver and the rest of the budget, presumably, on speakers..you recommend spending half the budget on a decent integrated amplifier.

Any further thoughts on that?