Rega rp1 confusion - Pre-amps, amps and speakers

[jessicaduncanson]

Hi everyone.

After putting up with very unreliable old turntables from the attics of various friends and family, I've finally purchased a new turntable. I got the Rega rp1.

I, however, am very out of sync with technology and have no idea what I'm doing.

I know I've got to buy seperate speakers, but I'm not sure whether I need both an amp and a pre-amp, or whether I can just get the pre-amp.

If so, I was looking at this Cambridge pre-amp. http://www.richersounds.com/product/phono-pre-amps/cambridge-audio/azur-551p/camb-551p-blk

My budget for the pre-amp is up to £100.

In addition, any speaker suggestions for £150 or under would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you to anyone that can help this technophobe!

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Hi,

and welcome to the forum!

Lets do one step a time:

1) pre amp+powered speakers (amp built in the speakers) and the pre-amp need to have phono input built in

2) pre amp+power amp+passive speakers ( no amp built in the speaker)

3) option and the less expensive, a Integrated amp with a phono input built in!

Simple as it gets!

:cheers:

 

[Jim-W]

Hi everyone.

After putting up with very unreliable old turntables from the attics of various friends and family, I've finally purchased a new turntable. I got the Rega rp1.

I, however, am very out of sync with technology and have no idea what I'm doing.

I know I've got to buy seperate speakers, but I'm not sure whether I need both an amp and a pre-amp, or whether I can just get the pre-amp.

If so, I was looking at this Cambridge pre-amp. http://www.richersounds.com/product/phono-pre-amps/cambridge-audio/azur-551p/camb-551p-blk

My budget for the pre-amp is up to £100.

In addition, any speaker suggestions for £150 or under would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you to anyone that can help this technophobe!

The rp1 is a very decent budget turntable and to get the best out of it you really should increase your budget, but a budget is a budget so here goes:

You can't get any sound from just a pre-amp; you need a pre-amp and a power amp or an integrated amp which will combine the two functions, providing it's got a phono stage. With your budget of £100, you'll have to buy an integrated amp. Look at the Cambridge amps on Richer Sounds website but for £149 you could get the Marantz PM5004 which will have a decent enough phono stage.

As for speakers look no further than What Hifi's recommended Q Acoustics 2020i at £150; alternatively, Richer Sounds do the Tannoy Mercury V1 for £79.99 and these are real value for money.

You might try second-hand from ebay but that's no place for a novice.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[matthewpiano]

I'd go with Jim's suggestion of a Marantz PM5004 or, alternatively, a Denon PMA-520AE. Both are integrated amps with decent phono stages, both essentially very similar beasts and both available for less than £150.

For speakers again Jim's suggestions are excellent but I'd also add the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s which Superfi still sell for £99.

 

[AmigaNut]

I'd go with Jim's suggestion of a Marantz PM5004 or, alternatively, a Denon PMA-520AE. Both are integrated amps with decent phono stages, both essentially very similar beasts and both available for less than £150.

For speakers again Jim's suggestions are excellent but I'd also add the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s which Superfi still sell for £99.

The Wharfedales are a bargain, got myself a pair from Superfi the other week.

AmigaNut

 

[Al ears]

You could do a lot worse than mathewpiano's suggestion. Both very good for your sort of budget. Personally I'd go for the Marantz over the Denon but that is personal preferrence. It would also depend on how much you can find them retailing for. Don't be afraid of going for ex-demo or 'open-box' versions of amps / speakers further up the range if you can find any from reputable dealers. There are normally a few appearing in January.