System advice please

[admin_exported]

Hi,

My current set-up is:

Turntable: Technics SL-1200 MK2

Amp: Cambridge Audio azur 340A

Phono Pre Amp: Cambridge Audio 640p

Speakers: Monitor Audio Bronze BX2

Apple Airport Express

Most Cables are QED

Hi-Fi Racks Podium

How do you think I could improve this? I listen to mostly House and Beats, Country and Indie Rock. I've had my Technics for ages and love it, although never see it mentioned in any audiophile site. (the needle is an ortofon pro concorde).

I'd like an amp that includes the phono pre amp. I was wondering if there may be an amp that includes a phono pre amp and maybe Airplay on the horizon? It would be nice to minimize the equipment. Other thoughts included a DAC?

Also do my speakers appear to be located ok? Stands are out of the question with 2 young children I'm afraid. Only had the Monitor Audio's for 3 months and am very impressed!

All advice welcome.

 

[Anonymous]

<img src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65981431@N04/6008033645"/>

<img src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65981431@N04/6008580906"/>

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

as for speakers you'd probably do better if you put them on even height and maybe slightly toe them in. this should improve somehow imaging. you should get more depth.

as for the amp. I'm not really looking for any products with integrated phono pre and airplay but quite incidentaly just came accross one that meets these criteria. it's Micromega AS-400 digital source/integrated amplifier. but I'm affraid it may be out of your budget (judging after the rest of your system) and I don't know if it's even available in Europe. but reassuring thing is that if there's one such product now maybe others, more affordable, would appear shortly.

meanwhile there's Onkyo TX-8050 with phono in and ethernet connection for playing music from networked hard drives. there's no wireless connection though and I wouldn't vouch for the integrated phono pre.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great considrered advice oldric, I'm going to try moving the speakers level later tonight. At nearly £4K the Micromega AS-400 is out of my price range I'm afraid, looks just what I'm looking for though. So maybe 6-12 months time there will be some cheaper options offering this kind of system, I can see it being a decent seller.

Any views on the turntable?