Mike's $999 HiFi System

Great sound doesn't have to cost a fortune. This $999 system is Mike's answer to the question he hears most often: "Where do I start?" Built entirely around Cambridge Audio's AX series, it pairs a powerful 100-watt receiver with full-size bookshelf speakers and quality cabling, all included. Plug it in, connect your phone over Bluetooth, and you're listening to real hi-fi inside of ten minutes.

Core System Components

• Cambridge Audio AXR100 Stereo Receiver (100W/ch)
• Cambridge Audio SX60 Standmount Speakers
• House brand speaker cable & RCA interconnect (included free)

System Overview

Cambridge Audio has been building affordable, serious hi-fi gear in London since 1968. The AX series sits at the entry point of their lineup, but "entry" in Cambridge Audio terms still means a proper Class AB amplifier, a real DAC, and engineered speaker drivers. These are components designed by the same engineering team responsible for Cambridge Audio's reference-grade gear, built to the same philosophy: make music sound like music.

The Receiver: Cambridge Audio AXR100

The AXR100 is a full-featured stereo receiver with 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms. It handles everything you need in one box: amplification, a built-in DAC (optical and coaxial inputs for your TV or streamer), FM/AM radio, Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless playback from your phone, and a moving magnet phono stage for vinyl. Two sets of speaker terminals let you run speakers in two rooms or bi-wire a single pair.

• 100W per channel into 8 ohms with less than 0.01% distortion at 1kHz
• Built-in Bluetooth 5.0 for instant wireless playback from any phone or tablet
• MM phono stage + DAC + FM tuner built in, so you don't need separate boxes to play vinyl, connect your TV, or listen to radio

The Speakers: Cambridge Audio SX60

The SX60 is a standmount speaker with the driver size and output you'd normally expect from a small floorstander. A 6.5-inch treated paper cone woofer handles the midrange and bass, while a 25mm silk dome tweeter takes care of the highs. The front-firing port means you can place them close to a wall without boomy bass, which matters in real living rooms. At 89dB sensitivity, the AXR100's 100 watts will drive these with plenty of headroom.

• 6.5" woofer + 1" silk dome tweeter in a front-ported cabinet for wall-friendly placement
• 89dB sensitivity and 8-ohm impedance, an easy load for the AXR100
• Frequency response down to 41Hz, real bass from a bookshelf speaker

Cabling: Included Free

Every system in the Mike's Picks series includes quality cabling at no extra charge. This system ships with an 8-foot pair of house brand speaker cables and a 1-meter pair of house brand RCA interconnects. No trips to the electronics store, no guessing about what you need. It's all in the box.

Optional: Add Network Streaming

The AXR100 has Bluetooth built in, which is great for casual listening from your phone. But if you want access to Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Roon, add the Cambridge Audio MXN10 Network Player. It connects to the AXR100 via optical or coaxial digital input, and at half the width of a standard component, it tucks neatly on a shelf or beside the receiver. Same brand, same design language, same engineering team.

Optional: Add a Turntable

The AXR100 has a built-in moving magnet phono stage, which means you can connect a turntable directly without buying a separate phono preamp. The Rega Planar 1 is the natural match: hand-built in England, pre-fitted with a Carbon MM cartridge, and ready to play records out of the box. Just plug and spin.

Why This System Exists

Mike built this system for people who want to hear what real hi-fi sounds like without overthinking it. No research rabbit holes, no compatibility questions, no separate preamps and power amps. One receiver, two speakers, cables included, $999. If you want to grow later, the add-ons are there. But right out of the box, this is real hi-fi.