Newbie here, please be kind! Have turntable but nothing else...

[amandasunshine1]

Hi there experts!

Back in the far ago day, I had a turntable, CD player, separate amp and speakers. Life was easy! Now, many years later and a couple of overseas moves, only the turntable remains (a Technics SL-D1).

I'd like to get a suitable integrated amplifier and pair of speakers - doesn't need to be super-powerful as space is around 30 sq m but good overall rich sound for listening to my 300+ LPs (mostly soul, jazz, funk, reggae..) I guess my budget would be around 7-800€ all in.

Would also like to be able to connect iPhone/laptop either via USB or Bluetooth, plus a CD player later on. Was looking at Sonos but way over my head to understand how this would fit with an old-school system. The modern world will have to wait!

I should just mention that my biggest problem is the part of Spain I live in has NO hifi dealers, other than MediaMarkt and the like, who haven't a clue what an amplifier actually is!

If someone could give me some ideas, I can see if there's a dealer I can travel to to check out a few options...

Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

Amanda

 

[nads]

when I lived in Germany MediaMarkt had a good selection of amps and speakers.

what might be an idea is link to some places that you could buy from so we can see what might be suitable.

I have just looked as a Mediamarkt Spain web page and seen brand that I have never heard of. So this could be interesting.

 

[Al ears]

If that turntable is of a certain age I would be looking to replace the cartridge in the first instance.
The amplifier is the tricky bit.
You obviously need one that has an inbuilt phono stage but that, along with a Bluetooth section, is where your life is going to get complicated.
Most modern amps will have one or the other that is they specialise in either analogue inputs or digital ones and not often both.
I would suggest you first look for a good second-hand amplifier that has a good phono stage and then buy an add on Bluetooth receiver like the iFi Zen Blue v2.
Speakers will be the least of your worries, get the sources sorted first.
For you budget going second-hand may be a necessity and we have no idea what you can get in the way of speakers where you are in Spain.

 

[plastic penguin]

If that turntable is of a certain age I would be looking to replace the cartridge in the first instance.
The amplifier is the tricky bit.
You obviously need one that has an inbuilt phono stage but that, along with a Bluetooth section, is where your life is going to get complicated.
Most modern amps will have one or the other that is they specialise in either analogue inputs or digital ones and not often both.
I would suggest you first look for a good second-hand amplifier that has a good phono stage and then buy an add on Bluetooth receiver like the iFi Zen Blue v2.
Speakers will be the least of your worries, get the sources sorted first.
For you budget going second-hand may be a necessity and we have no idea what you can get in the way of speakers where you are in Spain.

New stylus or cartridge seems sensible.

As the OP is looking for rich sound with a phono stage and Bluetooth capability, a used Roksan Kandy BT ticks those boxes.

Speakers anything such as older Monitor Audio Silver range, Focal, older PMC 'i' series.

However, no idea of the used market in Spain.

 

[vinod_david]

Welcome to the forum Amanda Sunshine.

 

[amandasunshine1]

Thank you, in fact MediaMarkt near to us does have one amplifier... but no connection for a turntable. I will be going to Valencia in a few weeks so will hopefully find larger stores/dedicated hifi stores there!

If that turntable is of a certain age I would be looking to replace the cartridge in the first instance.
The amplifier is the tricky bit.
You obviously need one that has an inbuilt phono stage but that, along with a Bluetooth section, is where your life is going to get complicated.
Most modern amps will have one or the other that is they specialise in either analogue inputs or digital ones and not often both.
I would suggest you first look for a good second-hand amplifier that has a good phono stage and then buy an add on Bluetooth receiver like the iFi Zen Blue v2.
Speakers will be the least of your worries, get the sources sorted first.
For you budget going second-hand may be a necessity and we have no idea what you can get in the way of speakers where you are in Spain.

Thank you, that does make sense... I hadn't thought of buying secondhand as that would probably mean buying online in Spain and no chance to try before buying. But as you say, speakers should not be a problem. I'll look into replacing the turntable cartridge, I'm sure I can get one of those online. Thanks for your advice!

 

[matthewpianist]

The NAD D3020v2 would fulfil your needs, and with good performance too, if it fits your budget where you live.

In terms of speakers, a pair of Dali Spektor 1 or 2 would do a great job without breaking the bank. Ditto Q Acoustics 3010i or 3020i.