Starter advice for clueless newbie

[ele101]

I'm looking to buy my first separates set. I've been reading these forums for a few weeks trying to figure out which separates would work best for me. To be honest, I'm more confused now than when I started.

I was thinking of a budget of around £500 for cd player, turntable, amp and speakers. Does that sound reasonable?

What would people recommend? I listen to indie, classics (Dylan, Beatles etc) and jazz.

Any and all help much appreciated.

 

[expat_mike]

This maybe not quite your vision of separates.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008LMM1CE/ref=asc_df_B008LMM1CE13149560?smid=AOEQOYNY35BZ0&tag=pricerunner-ce-3p-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B008LMM1CE&ascsubtag=f0120508ccf4d6874aa081b3d9dc1a30

The CR603 has many fans on this forum. The all-in-one unit plus speakers would cost £429, and then you would need to add a turntable, and a phono preamplifier. So maybe you could have a very good system for maybe £600 overall.

If your intention is not to compromise on having an all separates based system, then you are having to budget an average of just £125 for each of the turntable, CD player, amp and speakers. Maybe your best route would be to consider buying some parts of your system second hand, in order to meet your overall budget.

I have not tried to provide the definitive answer to your needs, rather I have thrown a few ideas into the ring, in order to get some discussion going.

Hope that this helps.

 

[CarlDW]

For that budget I would consider 2nd hand. You can get a lot more for your money.
Consider Nad and Marantz amps, they usually have a phono stage in, and maybe Kef or B&W speakers.
Rega and Project do good turntables.

 

[iJoe]

Tell us more about what you want. Where is it going to be? Attached to a TV, computer or in a dedicated room? 2nd hand is a great option - have a look at the older reviews, even a couple of pieces secound hand will up your money to take you from budget to midfi. For example you could get monitor audio BR2 speakers for £60-£100 rather than small Q acoustics.

 

[iJoe]

Would suggest spending it mosly on a good amp with a phono and headphone out. Headphones will give you hifi for very little relative cost.

 

[seemorebtts]

y

 

[ele101]

Thanks guys. Food for thought. The unit will be in my living room which is about 7m x 7m.

I'd thought about second hand. There's so much on ebay etc I'm just not sure where to begin. Should I stick to one brand? I was thinking of Marantz as the older stuff seems to get decent reviews.

 

[stevebrock]

if thats the case you wont go far wrong with the Mrantz PM66 & CD63 in Ki Sig flavours! Can be had for £120-130 each and can still cut it today!

 

[GSB]

I can understand your frustration,if your not familiar with the equipmant it's a bewildering nightmare |(

If you look on ebay,or av forums classifieds and find an amp,tt or speakers don't be affraid to ask on here for advice,my bet is that a good few of the guys would have owned one in the past.

Also there are a growing number of av dealers that have second hand equipment,so worth an internet search

 

[iJoe]

Why not get a DVD player instead of the CD? they tend to go for less. For example a Arcam DV137 is on ebay and will go for around £100

 

[matthewpiano]

Tell us more about what you want. Where is it going to be? Attached to a TV, computer or in a dedicated room? 2nd hand is a great option - have a look at the older reviews, even a couple of pieces secound hand will up your money to take you from budget to midfi. For example you could get monitor audio BR2 speakers for £60-£100 rather than small Q acoustics.

Slightly misleading. The BR2s are still budget speakers and, having owned B2s, BR2s, BX2s, Q Acoustics 1030i, and now Q Acoustics 2020i, and having directly compared the BX2s with the 2020i this week, I'd say the Qs and the MAs are very much direct competitors. Mid-fi would be moving up to something around the £400 mark such as MA RX series, AE 3 series etc.