Bit of an Audio Quandary

[admin_exported]

Hi

At the moment I own no form of Hi-Fi to play CD's. I basically listen
to all of my music on the computer via my TV screen/monitor (it's a 19"
LG LCD TV but also works as my computer monitor, I just
use the TV speakers). I basically just use Spotify these days for my
music, or rip a CD (on the very rare occassion that I do buy one, as I
said, Spotify is a lot easier way to go about listening to music,
especially as it is free) onto the computer and then it just sits on
the shelf gathering dust. This is the main reason I've stopped buying
music to be honest.

I decided I might try and put together a turntable setup and start
collecting vinyl's instead, as it's something new to me and a bit
different, vinyl's will get played and it will reignite my interest and
buying of music. I have a budget of about £100, give or take a bit.

My question is, is it worth trying to start a vinyl collection now and
setup a turntable/amp/speakers for £100 or should I just get a proper
CD Hi-Fi system and start buying CD's again? As a Hi-Fi will no doubt
get used if I do buy one, I just don't know which to go for. On the
one hand a lot of people say that vinyl is pretty useless because it
eventually wears out and you will have to rebuy everything, and you
could wear out a 'rare' title etc. But others seem to love vinyl and
say there is a big difference from CD and that it has a certain unique
quality, it seems a lot more 'collectible' as a format and just
something a bit different for me.

So what would you suggest, bearing in mind the £100 budget (I can possibly stretch to about £110-£120 or so).

Thanks for your help.

 

[Craig M.]

is that 100 for everything or each? i think you will have to go 2nd hand from ebay at that budget. if you don't mind 2nd hand then hopefully someone can chip in with suggestions, i'm not gonna be much help as don't really know what is available. also, think you will have to go cd rather then vinyl, again because of budget.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, £100 for everything, and that applies to which ever format I do go for.

 

[Anonymous]

I love these questions! ,... go for good vintage gear

sansui AU-217 ... ebay item 110453668755 .. not a buy it now and standing on £14.99 ... you might snap this up for less than £30

PIONEER PL-300X turntable ... buy it now of £48 ... ebay item 350265969393

Mordaunt short pageant speakers ... buy it now of £30 ... ebay item 280419997723

total spent = approx approx £108

this was just a quick check on ebay and you can get much better components for much cheaper ... I have a really good system that only cost me £28

 

[idc]

How about the Firestone Fireye USB DAC at £67 here, a USB cable for pennies off Amazon, if you do not already have a suitable one lying around somewhere and then some smaller headphones such as Sennheiser PX200 or iGrados at £35 ish off Amazon? You will get amazing sound now from Spotify.

 

[Craig M.]

good man dim_span, knew this was more your area of expertise.

op, you might be very suprised at the quality of sound for your cash.

 

[Anonymous]

Do I actually need an Amp system to make the turntable work? Is it a required item or is it optional?

I am a complete newbie to the world of vinyl and turntables so I'm sorry if it is a ridiculous question.

 

[Craig M.]

yes you need an amp, and if you want to use a turntable you need one with a phono input.

 

[roger06]

For even £120 I simply wouldn't bother. It's going to sound as awful as it must through your TV...

Save up, sell stuff, sell body parts - you need to spend more to get anything even remotely decent (it's not my intention to patronise - but £120 wouldn't even buy my speaker cable...)

Go and listen to a proper hi fi and you'll know what life enhancing audio pleasure is...

 

[roger06]

Actually - I have an old Marantz CD63 I'm about to put on eBay - if you can get to Chichester I'll donate it to you my friend for nout...

 

[Anonymous]

roger06:

For even £120 I simply wouldn't bother. It's going to sound as awful as it must through your TV...

Save up, sell stuff, sell body parts - you need to spend more to get anything even remotely decent (it's not my intention to patronise - but £120 wouldn't even buy my speaker cable...)

Go and listen to a proper hi fi and you'll know what life enhancing audio pleasure is...

hey roger the doger ... some of us are on 'tight' budgets ... so we shop as best we can ,,, But can say that although you are 'rolling' in cash ... still think you spent waa....aay too much for your system and I will do much better on vintage gear on 1/3 of what you paid ...

 

[Anonymous]

d3moliti0n ... don't rush! ... you can get a decent system for your budget ...

 

[roger06]

dim_span:roger06:

For even £120 I simply wouldn't bother. It's going to sound as awful as it must through your TV...

Save up, sell stuff, sell body parts - you need to spend more to get anything even remotely decent (it's not my intention to patronise - but £120 wouldn't even buy my speaker cable...)

Go and listen to a proper hi fi and you'll know what life enhancing audio pleasure is...

hey roger the doger ... some of us are on 'tight' budgets ... so we shop as best we can ,,, But can say that although you are 'rolling' in cash ... still think you spent waa....aay too much for your system and I will do much better on vintage gear on 1/3 of what you paid ...

Hi Dim

Was bracing myself for such a reply!

Well it's all relative itsn't it? 'Rolling' in cash I certianly aint! (hence being in on a Friday night!)

Plus - you don't know what I paid for my system - and it was a fair bit to be sure, I've had it 4 years and it's probably been the BEST value for money item(s) I've ever owned. I don't drive a nice car,I rarely go out socialising, almost never buy clothes etc - a nice hi fi is one luxury I allow myself - and I feel like a total pauper when I *** over to the Naim forum where the guys have got £10k CD 555s and £2k DACs etc.

I also totally agree with you - some vintage kit may well be a good bet - but I reckon spending £100 - £120 is simply money wasted...

If my post sounded superior, dismissive or patronising I humbly apologoise as that was not my intention - you'll see I've also offered to donate some kit as I'd be happier for it to go to a good home than make a few quid...

 

[gpi]

d3moliti0n:
My question is, is it worth trying to start a vinyl collection now and
setup a turntable/amp/speakers for £100 or should I just get a proper
CD Hi-Fi system and start buying CD's again? As a Hi-Fi will no doubt
get used if I do buy one, I just don't know which to go for. On the
one hand a lot of people say that vinyl is pretty useless because it
eventually wears out and you will have to rebuy everything, and you
could wear out a 'rare' title etc. But others seem to love vinyl and
say there is a big difference from CD and that it has a certain unique
quality, it seems a lot more 'collectible' as a format and just
something a bit different for me.

So what would you suggest, bearing in mind the £100 budget (I can possibly stretch to about £110-£120 or so).

Thanks for your help.

Not in my experience it doesn't and I have records older than me. I am worn out, they are not. You would have to play a record continually and mistreat it to make it wear out. With your budget getting into decent vinyl replay and on a par to what you are used to with CD and digital is impossible IMO. £110 will buy you a decent MM cart. Never buy a second hand cartridge despite what the seller says. Has anyone noticed that s/h carts on ebay have always been found in the loft, so therefore must be hardly used? More like it's been stored in the loft because it's knackered.

 

[Anonymous]

roger06:dim_span:roger06:

For even £120 I simply wouldn't bother. It's going to sound as awful as it must through your TV...

Save up, sell stuff, sell body parts - you need to spend more to get anything even remotely decent (it's not my intention to patronise - but £120 wouldn't even buy my speaker cable...)

Go and listen to a proper hi fi and you'll know what life enhancing audio pleasure is...

hey roger the doger ... some of us are on 'tight' budgets ... so we shop as best we can ,,, But can say that although you are 'rolling' in cash ... still think you spent waa....aay too much for your system and I will do much better on vintage gear on 1/3 of what you paid ...

Hi Dim

Was bracing myself for such a reply!

Well it's all relative itsn't it? 'Rolling' in cash I certianly aint! (hence being in on a Friday night!)

Plus - you don't know what I paid for my system - and it was a fair bit to be sure, I've had it 4 years and it's probably been the BEST value for money item(s) I've ever owned. I don't drive a nice car,I rarely go out socialising, almost never buy clothes etc - a nice hi fi is one luxury I allow myself - and I feel like a total pauper when I *** over to the Naim forum where the guys have got £10k CD 555s and £2k DACs etc.

I also totally agree with you - some vintage kit may well be a good bet - but I reckon spending £100 - £120 is simply money wasted...

If my post sounded superior, dismissive or patronising I humbly apologoise as that was not my intention - you'll see I've also offered to donate some kit as I'd be happier for it to go to a good home than make a few quid...

good man! ... hope he takes up your offer for that cdp as that will be a bonus!...
I have been setting up 'cheap' systems for my son's mates at college ... can say that for £120-£150 you can get a fairly decent system ... trick is you have to do loads of research on google and the vintage audio forums and ask loads of questions ... and then it's a waiting game ... make a short list ... and watch ebay daily and hope to get lucky ... sometimes it takes 2 months, sometimes 2 weeks to set up a decent vintage system...

 

[Anonymous]

roger06:Actually - I have an old Marantz CD63 I'm about to put on eBay - if you can get to Chichester I'll donate it to you my friend for nout...

I can't get to Chichester, as it's over 200 miles away from where I live and I can't drive. =

 

[roger06]

d3moliti0n:
roger06:Actually - I have an old Marantz CD63 I'm about to put on eBay - if you can get to Chichester I'll donate it to you my friend for nout...

I can't get to Chichester, as it's over 200 miles away from where I live and I can't drive. =

I think the "can't drive" bit is somewhat irrelevant as it wouldn't be worth the petrol even if you could!

 

[the record spot]

It's a shame you weren't here a week ago. Someone flogged a system on Ebay that went for £69. A pair of B&W DM110 big standmount speakers worth at least double that, and the rest of the gear wasn't shabby either (Marantz CD52 Mk2, Creek 4040 amp, Aiwa ADF850 tape deck - total bargain).

Re: the Sansui AU-217, if you can get that, then go for it, it's a fine amp for the money and will last you an upgrade or two. Doesn't emphasise one aspect over any other; it's not too bassy, or trebley and the overall sound is very cohesive. Everything just gels nicely with this amp. That said, I think it'll go for nearer £40-50.

Here's some more ideas for the £100 budget (not all of these will be practical if you are unable to collect from the sellers, but it's just to point you in the direction of what may be possible at your budget):-

Sansui AU-101 amplifier £35 - Gumtree: http://www.gumtree.com/london/13/47856113.html

Technics SU-V300Mk2 amplifier - £35 (Ebay - Collection only from Bury) 130340045175

National Panasonic (Technics) turntable £15 - Gumtree: http://www.gumtree.com/london/86/48041386.html

Trio turntable £30 - Gumtree: http://www.gumtree.com/london/40/47293340.html

Philips CD610 Mk2 CDP - £30 - Green Home Electronics http://www.greenhomeshop.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=1146

KEF Coda 7 standmount speakers - £35 - these were raved about on release - superb boxes for the money, Green Home electronics site again: http://www.greenhomeshop.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=1555

See also your local Gumtree pages - these were just lifted off the London site I looked at. Plus, check your local papers which often have audio gear going at cheap prices.

It's tight but it could be done - happy hunting!

 

[Anonymous]

here are a few quick suggestions (just looking at buy it nows) .... obviously the bargains are on auctions and not buy it nows, but these are ok

Technics SU-V3 amp ... ebay item 310179229750 ... buy it now of £39.95 (this is a 30 watt/8 ohm Class A amp and had very good reviews)

Mission 760i speakers with stands ... ebay item 220506602137 ... buy it now of £40

Pioneer PL-300X turntable ... ebay item 120488510968 ... buy it now of £49

or this Sansui P-L50 fully automatic direct drive linear tracking turntable complete with box and user's manual for £49.99 from greenhomeshop.co.uk

so, excluding shipping, total cost will be £128.95 and you will have a fairly decent system ... if you shop wisely and buy items that are in auction format and not buy it nows, you will get a similar system for approx £60-£70

 

[Anonymous]

and here is a Garrard 2025TC turntable with a buy it now of £16.19 and comes with a 30 day warranty ... ebay item 200402747735

so, with the Technics amp and Mission speakers, it will cost you £96.14

 

[the record spot]

Would £100 buy you rubbish hifi. Only if you went out and bought rubbish with it.

That Ebay sale I mentioned earlier, the one with the whole system going for £70. Here it is, check this out:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330372271189&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

So, the question really is, is spending £70 on this little lot, plus maybe £30 for fuel depending on where you live, worth it?

Well, were it my money, I'd have nipped in the car and picked this little lot up happily and I'm in Edinburgh. This is a steal for this little lot. No, it's far from cutting edge, but for the price? Someone walked away with a top deal here.

 

[the record spot]

roger06:
For even £120 I simply wouldn't bother. It's going to sound as awful as it must through your TV...

Save up, sell stuff, sell body parts - you need to spend more to get anything even remotely decent (it's not my intention to patronise - but £120 wouldn't even buy my speaker cable...)

Go and listen to a proper hi fi and you'll know what life enhancing audio pleasure is...

See my earlier post Roger...seems like you can buy some decent kit. Added to that, you can go out and have a life as well afterwards, bit of a double bonus that.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, thanks for all of the responses and advice.

I'm watching a few amps on ebay and was just wondering if anyone would recommend any of the following:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140356472916&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320443951770&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427684130&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Do they all have the correct phono inputs needed to run a turntable? And are the amps themselves decent?

Thanks for your help.

 

[the record spot]

Decent amp the Cambridge, my father in law uses one in his system and it's a nice little performer. Good all-round amp and a good starter. Yes, you can do better, but it's far from shabby; good build and doesn't seem to suffer from the 'brightness' you sometimes hear from the later Cambridge amps.

Yes, you can run a turntable, but am not sure if this was removed form their later models - check the Cambridge website to be sure but also with a seller if you go via the Ebay route. You have no recall in auction, but if you go for one described as having a phono stage and it turns out otherwise in a Buy It Now, you're covered by Sale of Goods and Distance Selling Regulations so you can get your money back (this may take time...).

Nice choice, but I would widen your net a little as well.

EDIT: Ending in 2 hrs from now, Marantz CD52 Mk II (excellent machine, had one myself years ago), good nick and sitting at 99p currently with 1 bid against it - collection only from Skelmersdale, so, if you know anyone near there in Lancashire...! Here's the number: 370284590342.

 

[gpi]

d3moliti0n:
Ok, thanks for all of the responses and advice.

I'm watching a few amps on ebay and was just wondering if anyone would recommend any of the following:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140356472916&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320443951770&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427684130&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Do they all have the correct phono inputs needed to run a turntable? And are the amps themselves decent?

Thanks for your help.

I had a CA A500 and it was a decent enough starter amp. Bear in mind these amps were not shipped with a phono stage. The boards had to be purchased separately from Richer Sounds and fitted by them at a cost of £20.00 IIRC.