I am putting together a new system, and am looking for feedback on options and whether components are reasonably balanced or mismatched. I am looking at a ballpark of US$5K range system, but am not sweating a couple hundreds here or there.
Purpose is for audio-only (no AV), at conversation level (no window rattling), of various genres from medieveal chants to punk, with emphasis on natural representation of sound. It is in a home office, not a "listening room" and I do not consider any "room treatments". Input form turntable, CD, digital, and web. Room is about 4000 cubic feet (20x20x10') with wood floors, a bunch of books, no couch or other soft furniture.
I have a Furman line conditioner and Marantz 6600 CD player to be connected with digital-out to integrated amp.
Integrated amp. Leaning towards Rotel 1572, also considered NAD 388 and Parasound HINT6, the latter is possibly "too good" considering the rest, and costs almost twice as much.
Turntable. Looking at Thorens 203. Standard Thorens cartridge seems very low end (conical 20-20kHz). Thinking of getting Ortofon blue, maybe even Ortofon bronze, but wonder about bronze being excessive given amp and speakers. Opinions? Does the 203 have hight adjustable feet? I will set it on a natural stone mantle piece, so rock solid, but not 100% flat. Thorens also mentions that there is a minimum distance from TT to amp, but does not say how much. I plan on putting components on left of mantle, TT on right, but more or less adjacent. OK or problem?
Speakers. I want wall mounted speakers with a sub. I am leaning towards Focal Dome Flax. Someone also recommended Bowers & Wilkins AW1, but seems inferior because of lower frequency range (50-22k vs 80-28k on the Focals), and the problem of decay on the rubber in the rear wobble thing. Anything else to consider?
Sub: I have a Paradigm PDR8 (29-150Hz), but may look for an upgrade. The Focal sub has rather poor frequency range (I think down to 40Hz) and I wonder about soundquality over wireless. Any suggestions?
Sonos connect. Not much to debate there. Use straight digital out to the integrated amp.
Cables: have some Tributaries blue (2006 vintage, I believe). Good enough for the above, or upgrade to what?
I am also looking for wet record cleaning options. Simple/manual is fine.
Thanks for the collective wisdom!