2. best-of
  3. 138040-118073

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
marktomaras
535 posts
 
 My advice would be to spend a significant amount of the budget on the speakers and the turntable/cartridge. I would go very light budgetwise on the amplifier, and yes you need an integrated amplifier. The preamplifier stage is quite important and if nothing else allows you to control the volume!

I have a feeling that if you choose wisely with the turntable and the speakers, the integrated amplifier might prove to be the component you upgrade next. If that’s correct then you could skimp a tiny bit on the integrated amp. This doesn’t mean choose something that isn’t any good. It just means spend less money on it.

Something very affordable comes to mind. At one point in time I had an integrated amplifier in my office made by peachtree. It was not expensive, sounded very nice, and even had a DAC built in for a digital source.  The model I had was the deco. I believe you can find the nova by peach tree for very good prices either refurbished or used. There is a peach tree deco on audiogon now for $500, which is a great fit for your budget.

$2200 for your table, you already have a phonostage, $500 for the Peachtree, that leaves $2300 For speakers and cables.   Speakers are super personal, but I would put these brands on your radar: Elac, Totem, Magnepan. I would spend as much money as you can and speakers! Elac is making waves in the audio press for offering high end performance for a lower price point. $2k on an Elac speaker may be impressive.

As for speaker cables and interconnect cables, I would recommend going with  The entry level from a well respected manufacturer such as Kimber or Cardas.  You can get a pair of Interconnect worth it’s salt for $100, and short pair of decent speaker cables for $200-$300.  Check out Kimber PBJ and Kimber 8TC

Good luck!
inna
5,245 posts
 
Yeah, to have audiophile sound first of all you need audiophile speakers. Buying unheard is always a big challenge and in your case even more so. I would not go anywhere before choosing speakers. In addition to what is on your list, I suggest you audition Vienna and Spendor. For integrated amp and possibly separate phono stage I would probably go with used, the same with cables.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

@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.

 


cleanshirt OP
8 posts
 
marktomaras, inna, twoleftears, thanks for your replies! Super informative and provided lots of new stuff to explore. Can't say I can spring for a set of vandersteens just yet, though. 

Since I'm going to be using this system mostly for vinyl playback, possibly a cd player, and looking for as small of a noise-floor as possible, I've begun considering the NAD C 316BEE and 326BEE. Reviews seem pretty darn enthusiastic. And that would free up my speaker budget to more seriously consider something like the silver 300s. Kind of a weird combo, I guess. 

inna
5,245 posts
 
Very generally speaking and to somewhat simplify things, within this price range I would most likely go after British set-up. They know how to get a good sound without big expenses in smaller rooms. Definitely consider only Moving Magnet cartridge, I like Goldring 10xx series, they have been proven performers for decades. If you decide on Rega turntable then maybe Rega cartridge. Phono stage is important, $500-$750 should be enough for an acceptable separate unit new.
More to discover