A new turntable or a new amp?

[admin_exported]

I'm aware there are already tonnes of threads about which is the most important component in a set up but I couldn't find anything quite this specific. I've become a bit of a vinyl enthusiast over the past few years and would probably say I play slightly more vinyl than I do CDs. I've had a seriously budget set up for the past few years (pretty much just the cheapest stuff Richer Sounds sold) and after finishing uni I'm finally coming into a bit more money which will allow me to upgrade some (eventually all) of my equipment to audiophile (albeit entry level) stuff.

As a vinyl lover I'm wondering what to go for first, a new turntable, most probably a debut III, or a new amp and a set of speakers (perhaps with a budget of £400). In time everything will be upgraded but I'm really wondering which route will allow me to notice, more substantially, an increase in quality:

New amp + speakers + old turntable.

or

New turntable + old amp + old speakers.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I have been looking forward to doing this for quite some time!

Chris

 

[DavidNorway]

can you tell us what kit you have now?it will help with giving advice.

What i can tell you is the debut 3 is a fantastic turntable for the price.

 

[Al ears]

I would go with your first option.

Get the amp /speaker combination right then you can hear exactly what any change in the 'front end' is going to make.

 

[Anonymous]

At the minute I'm using a Tangent amp 100 and CDP 100 which cost me about 50 or 60 quid each, an Ariston Acoustics ATT 420 automatic turntable which was about the same price if remember rightly and some Gale 3010 speakers which I'm pretty sure where around the same price but may even have been thrown in as part of some sort package deal. It was pretty much just the cheapest stuff on offer and I was pretty eager to get playing my vinyl. What I'm hoping is that any component will offer a substantial difference in what I hear. My main worry really was that an upgraded turntable would be significantly limited by the amp and speakers I have, or vice versa, to the point where it wouldn't even be worth upgrading just one component at a time.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeahh that probably sounds about right. I kind of thought as much, but I was secretly hoping the answer would be turntable first as the project ones look so flash compared to my silver plastic automatic thing!

 

[cheyworth]

Amp/speakers shouldbe the first to be changed, you could look at getting a second hand cartridge (spend £20-£40 and sell on when you get the new turntable and you shouldn't lose much money).

Chris

 

[the record spot]

I'd get the turntable first but I might have a look at your budget and see how well I could do combining new and used (if you're prepared to do that).

I'd have a look at the likes of the Rega P1 or better still the P2. No offence re: the Project, but the P2 is a superb deck for the money - £249 from the likes of Lintone Audio gets you the P2. Allow £30 for a basic but decent cartridge to get you going (Nagaoka's MP11 is a good starter and it's probably still not much more than the £15 it used to be years ago, see also Audio Technica's AT110E or Goldring's Elektra, the latter probably nearer £40 - if they push the budget up too much, get the reissued P1 which is less than £200 and comes with a cartridge, or your Project).

And check out Gumtree, spending £80 would get you a Marantz PM55 amp (65wpc, MM/MC phono stage) and perfectly good for your needs - http://www.gumtree.com/london/78/68627278.html - just as an example. So, you're at around £350 (P2 - £250, PM55 - £80 on Gumtree, £50 BIN on Ebay (but flexible), MP11 - £20). What does £50 get you off Gumtree? A pair of Monitor Audio Golds, various Missions, Mordaunt-Shorts and so on. Yes, you'll want new, but this gets you a decent step up within your budget restrictions and don't knock it right off - you can land some real gems for your cash.

EDIT: Case in point - check these out - £30 B&W DM1 Transmission Line speakers in very decent nick. People chase these things down and this seller's giving them away (not fashinable y'see!) - God knows, never heard them but would love to. Bargain! http://belfast.gumtree.com/belfast/23/68462323.html

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers.

Had totally overlooked the Rega turntables. I think I was a little blinded by the praise lauded on the project decks in some circles, but a little research highlights the P1 seems to be a pretty good buy and within my budget. Starting to keep an eye out for second hand bargins now as well.