Budget system mainly for vinyl

[hybridauth_Google_112916266942568404509]

I recently purchased a project debut carbon which is now the love of my life!!! My problem is that i believe that I am running it to nowhere near its full potential as it is currently sitting alongside a rather dodgy Sony STR-VX2L receiver and pair of Pioneer S-P1500s which were my Dads and have both seen a lot of action!

I have recently acquired a reasonable amount of money and was hoping to put it towards a new system but don't really know where to start as there is so much to choose from!! Am I right to put and amp first? And if so could I please have some suggestions as to what might be a good place to start amp and speaker wise. My budget is around £500, at a push and know that I am looking a quite low range stuff.

I would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Ollie

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

my advise would be spend it all in the amp if you must...

Buy a Rega Brio R, new for £480 but you can find a used unit for less!

Save the extra and when you have £400/500 again to spend, go after the speakers.

And welcome to the forum!

*drinks*

 

[rainsoothe]

hi

I think Marantz PM5005 or Denon PMA 720AE along with Wharfedale Diamond 220 or Dali Zensor 1 (or 3) would be pretty safe bets. Also the NAD C316 BEE (amp) if you're a basshead, but you'll need a separate phono stage for that (Like the NAD PP3i or Graham Slee Communicator), and it might slip out of your budget.

But whatever you do, try to audition - most dealers should have your turntable, so carrying it with you shouldn't be necessary.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Let me elaborate a bit more, the Brio R is the best amp for a budget vinyl system, it has a phono stage built in, and a very good one.

If you want to take the most of your TT believe me this is the best amp to have!

Later on you can add the speakers. A demo is mandatory, and if you can find a used Brio R in your area, for sure that the seller will agree to make a demo in your place.

 

[hybridauth_Google_112916266942568404509]

Thank you so much for the advice! I have had a look around but I am struggling to find a Brio R for anything less than £530. I agree that it does sound great as I have listened to my friends but it falls a little out my price bracket. Do you have any other suggestions for a little less, and do you have any idea of how much I could sell the Sony for, my guess would be not alot.

 

[Al ears]

If you cannot find a Rega Brio R ex demo anywhere then I would suggest you look at an Arcam FMJ A19 or A18 secondhand (see eBay), one of each on there at the moment. *biggrin*

 

[hybridauth_Google_112916266942568404509]

Thanks problem is that I am at boarding school and for some unknow reason I am blocked from ebay!!! :-(

 

[hybridauth_Google_112916266942568404509]

How much the A19?

 

[BigH]

How much the A19?

there were a few ex demo rega brios around for £400 earlier this year, not checked recently, I would do a search of regs dealers online.

not sure about a19, saw one go one eBay for 420 from a hifi dealer, only 2 weeks old, customer did not like it, so just sold it off quick. There are a few second hand dealers you can check. Whereabouts are you?

 

[Al ears]

How much the A19?

It's not really going to help knowing the price if you can't access eBay.

A19 currently £349 and A18 @£299

 

[hybridauth_Google_112916266942568404509]

Thank you, if they are still there I will check them out when I get home on Saturday

 

[Happy_Listner]

I like the idea of speding all 500 on both an amp and speakers right now.

Here is a suggestion for a good start:

NAD 316 Integrated amplifier 249

NAD PP 2e Phono Preamp 99

Dali Zensor 1 Speakers 199/Cambridge Audio Areo 2 Speakers 249

Total Price is about 50 to 100 over your budget but that is retail price. With discounts it may get closer. Not sure about VAT tax though, if that's included in the price, as I am unfamiliar. At a latter date you can spend another 500, sell your amp and then add it to the pot to buy something better. This way your speakers won't be such a let down like I think a new amp would be now with those Pioneer's. Also, you may just be happy with your new system the way it is for a long time to come without feeling a need to upgrade anytime soon.