Another amateur in need of advice


Hello all. I'm basically as green as they come, and am looking for some advice in putting together my first 2- channel audio system. Looking to keep it analog, with vinyl playback being the primary purpose of this whole escapade. If I feel compelled to stream something, i would just get a decent bluetooth receiver to appease the crowd of an informal get-together. 

I am looking to experience an "audiophile-grade" sound, but one that is also a giddy and involving listen. Some bass presence would be welcome (newb). In any case, I would prefer to keep the budget under $5k. First question - do I need an integrated amplifier? Can I just get an amplifier and connect the Lounge phono stage that I'm leaning towards? Or connect a CD player or radio tuner? Basically, does a power amp require a pre-amp, which it seems that an integrated provides? As far as integrated amps, I was first leaning towards the newer Rega Brio, but then I heard about the Rogue Sphinx V2. But then I read about all the noise issues with the Sphinx, which really turned me off from it. Noise issues would really steal the jam from my doughnut. The Heed Elixir seems to tick a lot of boxes, but it also seems that it really imparts it's own texture to the music. Maybe that's a good thing? A budgetary stretch - the Croft integrated looks pretty dang cool. If I only need an amplifier rather than an integrated for my purposes, any opinions on the Croft Series 7? 

As far as speakers, I'm as lost as the previous paragraph suggests. Right now leaning towards the Quad S-2, but was considering the KEF LS50 until I read that they sound best with a more powerful amp. Ditto for the Dynaudio Excite X14. And apparently the LS50s are rather bright sounding? Was not considering floor-standers until I found out that the Monitor Audio Silver 300s are pretty easy to drive. Every gosh-darn review I read only sends me deeper down the spiral of confusion and indecisiveness. 

My turntable choice is pretty set - the Mofi ultra deck with the better cartridge. Since it's $2200, it kind of eats up the budget considering the additional costs of cabling and, potentially, speaker stands. But it seems that it's the sort of component that I'll keep for life. 

I'd appreciate any words of guidance and wisdom! Have a good one! 
cleanshirt

Showing 3 responses by twoleftears

@cleanshirt At the most basic level, think of it as a series of boxes, some of which are packaged together, while others stand separate.

CD transport

DAC

Turntable+cartridge

Phono preamp [amplifies signal from cartridge]

Preamp

Power amp


CD transport+DAC=conventional CD player.

Preamp+Power amp=basic Integrated amp.


Now, many Integrated will also include a Phono preamp, but not all. Be sure to check.  If you have a free-standing Phono preamp (MM and or MC), you don't need one built into your Integrated.  An increasing number of Integrateds also include a DAC, in which case you only need a transport (or another digital device) to do digital.  If you're not interested in digital, you don't need this.  Some Integrateds with built-in DAC will *also* have built-in Phono preamp, but not that many.


Making a firm choice re. one component usually reduces the options re. the other components, though the record deck/arm/cartridge choice really doesn't.  It just tells you whether you need an MM and/or MC Phono preamp (either free-standing or built-in).


Those are pretty nice speaker models, you might look at ELAC and Vandersteen too.  Different people will tell you different things about where to start--at the head of the chain (source) or the end (speakers).


As you're firm on the LP deck, my personal recommendation would be next to "audition" some speakers in your price range.  No amount of reviews can tell you what your own ears tell you, and once bought, you're living with the results on a day-to-day basis for some time to come.

 


The Belles Aria Integrated would be an excellent choice.

Also the Vandersteen Ici's are $1350 new.  There are considerable savings to be had in the used speaker market.

You're much more likely to damage a speaker by driving it with something truly underpowered than with something supposedly--according to the specs--overpowered.

Call up Johnny Rutan at Audio Connection in NJ and talk to him about the Aria.