Need a new amp

[Maor]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just recently got into hi-fi. I'm facing some big decisions soon, and I'd appreciate your advice.

I recently sold my amplifier because I'm looking to upgrade my setup. I need a new amp, a phono stage for my turntable, and I'm also interested in getting a streamer.

A friend offered me a Cambridge Audio Azur 851A for €400, but it doesn't have a built-in phono stage. Should I go for it and buy a separate, budget-friendly phono stage? Or should I look for a streamer with a built-in phono stage?

My budget for everything is around €600, and I'm looking to buy second-hand.

Here's my current gear:

• Speakers: JBL L46
• Turntable: Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1900
• DAC: Musical Fidelity V-DAC 2

Any suggestions on the best path forward?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Al ears]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just recently got into hi-fi. I'm facing some big decisions soon, and I'd appreciate your advice.

I recently sold my amplifier because I'm looking to upgrade my setup. I need a new amp, a phono stage for my turntable, and I'm also interested in getting a streamer.

A friend offered me a Cambridge Audio Azur 851A for €400, but it doesn't have a built-in phono stage. Should I go for it and buy a separate, budget-friendly phono stage? Or should I look for a streamer with a built-in phono stage?

My budget for everything is around €600, and I'm looking to buy second-hand.

Here's my current gear:

• Speakers: JBL L46
• Turntable: Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1900
• DAC: Musical Fidelity V-DAC 2

Any suggestions on the best path forward?

Thanks in advance for your help!

you might have trouble finding a streamer with a phono stage, buy a separate phono preamp might be the easiest route.
Failing that look for second-hand Marantz or Denon amplifiers which have a good inbuilt phono stage.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Would have said the WiiM Ultra streamer as it has a phono stage (but also would possibly top out your budget). Given you have a decent DAC, would suggest:

1. brand new WiiM mini (€100)
2. Graham Slee Communicator Phono Amp (€120-200 on ebay)
3. the Cambridge Amp (€400)

which could be on or around budget. Not sure if you are in Spain, but a number of the online retailers do IVA free days at certain times of the year which would save you 21% on the WiiM mini.

Or a cheaper option:

1. brand new WiiM Amp (€369)
2. Graham Slee Communicator Phono Amp (€120-200 on ebay)
and sell your current DAC.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just recently got into hi-fi. I'm facing some big decisions soon, and I'd appreciate your advice.

I recently sold my amplifier because I'm looking to upgrade my setup. I need a new amp, a phono stage for my turntable, and I'm also interested in getting a streamer.

A friend offered me a Cambridge Audio Azur 851A for €400, but it doesn't have a built-in phono stage. Should I go for it and buy a separate, budget-friendly phono stage? Or should I look for a streamer with a built-in phono stage?

My budget for everything is around €600, and I'm looking to buy second-hand.

Here's my current gear:

• Speakers: JBL L46
• Turntable: Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1900
• DAC: Musical Fidelity V-DAC 2

Any suggestions on the best path forward?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Second hand prices vary massively from country to country, so it is hard to advise. However, that looks like a reasonable price for a good amp.

You should be able to pick up a WiiM Mini, and a Pro-Ject Phono Box E for about €150.

It all depends what else is available for the money.

 

[Maor]

Thank you all for your helpful advice!

I've decided to go with your recommendation and purchase the Azur 851A.
It seems like I’ll need to save up a bit more for a better streamer, unless I can find a really good deal!

As for the phono preamp, I'm currently deciding between the Vincent PHO-112 Preamplifier and the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM. Has anyone here tried these? Which do you think would be more suitable for my setup?

Please, let me know your opinions

Have a nice day

 

[Fandango Andy]

Thank you all for your helpful advice!

I've decided to go with your recommendation and purchase the Azur 851A.
It seems like I’ll need to save up a bit more for a better streamer, unless I can find a really good deal!

As for the phono preamp, I'm currently deciding between the Vincent PHO-112 Preamplifier and the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM. Has anyone here tried these? Which do you think would be more suitable for my setup?

Please, let me know your opinions

Have a nice day

Your speakers and Amp (when you get it) are a class above your turntable. I am not familiar with the Vincent, but the Pro-Ject will be more than sufficient for your needs.

 

[Maor]

Thank you Andy.

your recommendation is very helpful.
do you recommend any turntable that would do the work better in 400 euro or less (second hand)?

thank you again.

Maor

 

[Al ears]

Thank you Andy.

your recommendation is very helpful.
do you recommend any turntable that would do the work better in 400 euro or less (second hand)?

thank you again.

Maor

i think that maybe a tricky question to answer as he has no idea what you can get for that price wherever you are. Can you give any examples?
buying second-hand turntables can be a nightmare.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Thank you Andy.

your recommendation is very helpful.
do you recommend any turntable that would do the work better in 400 euro or less (second hand)?

thank you again.

Maor

As All ears said it is impossible to know what second hand prices are like in your country (where are you BTW).

Having said that Pro-Ject and Rega are the kings of budget and mid priced record players, so you could start there.

The best advice I can give, there is nothing wrong with the player you have, it just isn't exceptional. You are buying other components, get them, and get used to them. Once you know what you have it will be easier to recognise if something new in the system is an improvement. The beauty of second hand, as long as you buy quality products at a fair price, you can sell them on without loosing money.