Building a first system

[admin_exported]

Hi Everyone. New member to the forum here looking for some help to build their first system!

I was given a Rega RP1 Turntable a month ago and since I still only have my all in one system from my uni-days without any phono input this gave my a perfect opportunity to upgrade and build a proper system to enjoy my music!

I dont have much knowledge of brands and models in the hi-fi world except for what I read in various forums and reviews the last few weeks but I have a keen ear having been in several bands when I was younger and I do want something good that will last a while. At first I looked at the Rega brand with the new Brio -r getting great reviews. As I don't have a lot of experience I though it might be an easy way to get synergy to pair the brio and turntable with Rega's RS3's. The other option (which I am leaning to now) would be to go the second hand route and buy amplifier and speakers on ebay or gumtree. I would be more confortable spending a bit less on amp+speaker since it is my first system. I would say my budget in total would be about £600.

Would anyone care to suggest some models for amplifiers and speakers that would go well with it? I am looking for something very musical and enjoyable rather than being "technically perfect" if that makes sense?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Daniel

 

[CnoEvil]

IMO There is nothing wrong with your thinking, and you could do a lot worse than going all Rega...do go and have a listen though!

 

[unison]

I would suggest you include in your budget enough money for a proper hifi shelf for the record deck, or a basic hifi rack

a number of people on the forum are saying the onkyo 8050 has many good qualities as an amp, I wonder if any of them would comment on the phono stage in the 8050?

 

[matthewpiano]

At line-level I'd personally say the Onkyo performs every bit as well as the Brio-R (I chose it over the Rega in the end) but the Brio-R does have a better phono stage. The phono stage on the Onkyo is very good and my turntable sounds excellent throughout, but the Brio-R's phono circuit is exceptional for an integrated amplifier as you might reasonably expect from a company who have made their name with turntables.

 

[Jason36]

Are you just looking for an amplifier and speakers or do you need a CD player as well??

Staying with the one box solution....you could look at say the Marantz MCR-603 with either Castle 1 or 2 speakers. I have heard these systems and they are very musical and enjoyable. You could also get streaming and internet radio capability with this as well as a decent phono in for the turntable and USB / DAC connection if you use an iPod at all. this would be slightly over budget at £800 or £700 depending on the speakers. The Marantz is also capable of being used with more expensive speakers in the future if required as well.

I think seperated wise...going Brio-r and RS3 would provide excellet synergy and sound as well.

Alternatively you could look at the Marantz PM6003 amp which also has a good phono stage....possibly paired with the CD6003 if CD is required and speakers of choice.....I used this setup with Castle Richmond speakers and a Rega Planar 3 TT and got excellent results.

 

[the record spot]

I would suggest you include in your budget enough money for a proper hifi shelf for the record deck, or a basic hifi rack

a number of people on the forum are saying the onkyo 8050 has many good qualities as an amp, I wonder if any of them would comment on the phono stage in the 8050?

Like the rest of the amp, the phono stage in the 8050 is good. I've played a few LPs on it now and like what it does. I use vinyl less these days so if that format is important to a potential buyer, then they should really hear the two side by side to decide.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks everone for the suggestions so far!

I will definitely try to demo both the Onkyo and the Marantz M-CR603 as well as the rega. Since I use a mac and iTunes / Spotify I think the Marantz has more useful streaming capabilities for me since it has airplay. If I understand it correctly I can't stream from iTunes to the Onkyo? (I dont want to control it from the receiver)

I also already have an airport express so I don't really need to be spending money on the streaming features although the Marantz looks like a very neat system...

I might get a cd-player later but mainly I will be listening from Vinyl or computer streamed, so maybe a useful later addition could be a dac? For now amplifier + speakers is the main thing.

If I would go for the Marantz I would have to add a separate phono pre-amp. How much would a decent model cost?

Would I get better sound for my money going with a second hand amplifier without any extra streaming functions?

For example an old Nad/Arcam/Pioneer that seems to be readily available at auction sites?

Many thanks!