Advice on turntable + amp + speakers

[grouchymp]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to buy an audio system but not sure about connections... The turntable would be a Thorens TD 209, amp an Arcam A19 and speakers, Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2. Do I need something else to connect the turntable to the amp? It says there is a phono entry on the Arcam, so it should be enough, right?

Otherwise, what's your opinion on my choices?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help.

 

[spiny norman]

Sounds like a pretty good set-up to me: the Thorens is something of an unknown but the company's past turntables have been decent enough, and it looks to be a more affordable version of the TD-309, which I rather liked when I heard it at a show. I seem to recall I read a good review of the TD-209 in Hi-Fi World, though it was a good while back, so I couldn't quote you chapter and verse.

No you don't need anything else to connect the turntable to the amp: the A19 has a built-in phono stage for a moving magnet cartridge, so it'll be fine with the Thorens-badged cartridge which I think comes fitted to the 209, which is IIRC made by Audio-Technica. Given the quality of Thorens arms, you may well find the turntable will withstand a future cartridge upgrade.

 

[Gray]

You no doubt know that the amp and speakers have come out well in reviews.

I own a Thorens turntable (with Rega arm / Audio Technica cartridge) and my last speakers were B&W.

I had an Arcam, Cyrus and Roksan amp on separate home loans before choosing the Cyrus. I also preferred the the Roksan to the Arcam. That's only my personal choice of course, yours may well be the complete opposite.

In their glowing review of the Arcam, WHF commented on a bit of 'restraint'.

I can only say that an obvious lack of restraint (but don't take that to mean harshness) was one of the reasons for my Cyrus choice.

The thing is, you may not agree with their review, or you may like a bit of restraint.

So the question is, have you heard or will you be able to hear all prospective choices together before you buy?

 

[BigH]

You have heard the Arcam and B&W speakers together?

I don't think Arcam and B&W do go that well together but I'm not keen on B&W budget speakers. Many suggest Rotel amp and B&W speakers, they are the same company, believe B&W use Rotel amps in the their testing. What sort of music?

 

[grouchymp]

Sounds like a pretty good set-up to me: the Thorens is something of an unknown but the company's past turntables have been decent enough, and it looks to be a more affordable version of the TD-309, which I rather liked when I heard it at a show. I seem to recall I read a good review of the TD-209 in Hi-Fi World, though it was a good while back, so I couldn't quote you chapter and verse.

No you don't need anything else to connect the turntable to the amp: the A19 has a built-in phono stage for a moving magnet cartridge, so it'll be fine with the Thorens-badged cartridge which I think comes fitted to the 209, which is IIRC made by Audio-Technica. Given the quality of Thorens arms, you may well find the turntable will withstand a future cartridge upgrade.

Thank you for your reply. The set-up is a good start, and can be upgraded in the future.

 

[grouchymp]

You no doubt know that the amp and speakers have come out well in reviews.

I own a Thorens turntable (with Rega arm / Audio Technica cartridge) and my last speakers were B&W.

I had an Arcam, Cyrus and Roksan amp on separate home loans before choosing the Cyrus. I also preferred the the Roksan to the Arcam. That's only my personal choice of course, yours may well be the complete opposite.

In their glowing review of the Arcam, WHF commented on a bit of 'restraint'.

I can only say that an obvious lack of restraint (but don't take that to mean harshness) was one of the reasons for my Cyrus choice.

The thing is, you may not agree with their review, or you may like a bit of restraint.

So the question is, have you heard or will you be able to hear all prospective choices together before you buy?

Unfortunately not, I won't be able to hear my choices working together. I took some advice from a friend and wanted a second enlightenment.

I don't know Roksan nor Cyrurs but will have a look on that, thank you.

 

[grouchymp]

You have heard the Arcam and B&W speakers together?

I don't think Arcam and B&W do go that well together but I'm not keen on B&W budget speakers. Many suggest Rotel amp and B&W speakers, they are the same company, believe B&W use Rotel amps in the their testing. What sort of music?

OK. Rotel RA-12 or RA-1570?

Sort of music? David Bowie, U2, Fink, Beatles, Curtis Harding, Michael Jackson, José Gonzalez, etc.

 

[BigH]

You have heard the Arcam and B&W speakers together?

I don't think Arcam and B&W do go that well together but I'm not keen on B&W budget speakers. Many suggest Rotel amp and B&W speakers, they are the same company, believe B&W use Rotel amps in the their testing. What sort of music?

OK. Rotel RA-12 or RA-1570?

Sort of music? David Bowie, U2, Fink, Beatles, Curtis Harding, Michael Jackson, José Gonzalez, etc.

Either Rotels. B&W are a bit on the warm bassy side, often better with a sharper sounding amp. I found the Arcam A19 a bit polite and polished for rock, Roksan Kandy maybe better especially if you want higher volumes. For vinyl system I would also look at Rega, the Brio R I thought was a bit underpowered with some speakers.

Why can't you hear the hifi before buying?

 

[grouchymp]

You have heard the Arcam and B&W speakers together?

I don't think Arcam and B&W do go that well together but I'm not keen on B&W budget speakers. Many suggest Rotel amp and B&W speakers, they are the same company, believe B&W use Rotel amps in the their testing. What sort of music?

OK. Rotel RA-12 or RA-1570?

Sort of music? David Bowie, U2, Fink, Beatles, Curtis Harding, Michael Jackson, José Gonzalez, etc.

Either Rotels. B&W are a bit on the warm bassy side, often better with a sharper sounding amp. I found the Arcam A19 a bit polite and polished for rock, Roksan Kandy maybe better especially if you want higher volumes. For vinyl system I would also look at Rega, the Brio R I thought was a bit underpowered with some speakers.

Why can't you hear the hifi before buying?

Well, I want to keep the Thorens TD 209 as my turntable so the choice to be made is on what amp and speakers. That's not a rational but sentimental choice, shall I say.

Why I can't hear that? No audio store with those kind of stuff near where I leave.

 

[BigH]

You have heard the Arcam and B&W speakers together?

I don't think Arcam and B&W do go that well together but I'm not keen on B&W budget speakers. Many suggest Rotel amp and B&W speakers, they are the same company, believe B&W use Rotel amps in the their testing. What sort of music?

OK. Rotel RA-12 or RA-1570?

Sort of music? David Bowie, U2, Fink, Beatles, Curtis Harding, Michael Jackson, José Gonzalez, etc.

Either Rotels. B&W are a bit on the warm bassy side, often better with a sharper sounding amp. I found the Arcam A19 a bit polite and polished for rock, Roksan Kandy maybe better especially if you want higher volumes. For vinyl system I would also look at Rega, the Brio R I thought was a bit underpowered with some speakers.

Why can't you hear the hifi before buying?

Well, I want to keep the Thorens TD 209 as my turntable so the choice to be made is on what amp and speakers. That's not a rational but sentimental choice, shall I say.

Why I can't hear that? No audio store with those kind of stuff near where I leave.

Really, where do you live?

I would get them from a dealer with a good returns policy then.

 

[grouchymp]

Thank you all for your replies.

I live in Switzerland. The problem is not there is no audio store around but no audio store with the Thorens turntable nor the brand you mentioned, Rotel.

I think I'm going to go with the Rotel RA-1570.

What's the difference between B&W 600 Series and CM Series?

 

[BigH]

Thank you all for your replies.

I live in Switzerland. The problem is not there is no audio store around but no audio store with the Thorens turntable nor the brand you mentioned, Rotel.

I think I'm going to go with the Rotel RA-1570.

What's the difference between B&W 600 Series and CM Series?

I don't think the turntable is a problem its more of matching amp with speakers.

I think 600 series is their budget range and the CMs are more mid range. A note of caution some CMs like CM1s are not very sensitive, so need more power to produce same volume as more sensitive ones. I did not get on with the CM1s thought the bass did not sound right, too slow.

 

[grouchymp]

So, after a few months of thought...
My choice is Thorens TD 209 / Arcam A19 / Dynaudio Emit M10

What do you thnik about that? On the paper, is it a technicallly good choice?

Of course, I will check the sound the amp & the speakers make in a store.

 

[gasolin]

So, after a few months of thought...My choice is Thorens TD 209 / Arcam A19 / Dynaudio Emit M10

What do you thnik about that? On the paper, is it a technicallly good choice?

Of course, I will check the sound the amp & the speakers make in a store.

I think you should also consider the Q acoustics 3020 or concept 20

 

[manix]

So, after a few months of thought...My choice is Thorens TD 209 / Arcam A19 / Dynaudio Emit M10

What do you thnik about that? On the paper, is it a technicallly good choice?

Of course, I will check the sound the amp & the speakers make in a store.

Just forget about trying to make a list of stuff before you have heard anything. Go to a shop and hear some stuff in your price range. Then go to another shop and try some different stuff out. You will soon learn what kind of sound you are after which may be nothing like what you have selected up to now.