Turntable & streaming system for £3-4k

[infaddict]

I know there's a lot of similar questions but looking for advice and recommendations for a new turntable system for my lounge. Budget is around £3-4k and I'm UK based.

There are constraints, mainly set by my wife, ideally avoiding black plastic finishes where possible. The room is fairly small, 6m x 4m with 2.5m ceilings. I only have one corner of the room with a cabinet, where the system will live. I was originally thinking to put everything on top of the cabinet, but now understand the speakers would cause turntable vibration and issues. So I think I might fit a floating shelf for turntable, just above the cabinet, with small bookshelf style speakers on the cabinet top itself. I realise this means audio compromise which Im prepared to live with.

Main use will be vinyl but it would be nice to stream to it as well, looking at getting Tidal unless any other recommendations.

My initial research has let me to the Rega Planar 3 RS as gets good reviews and doesn't look like black plastic. For speakers, don't need anything too big and will be standing on top of the cabinet. Saw some Kef options.

Any advice and recommendations much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Revolutions]

That's a nice budget & you could get a great system. Where possible it will pay dividends to demo & hear in person. Speakers especially, they can be very personal.

A setup that I would consider thinking about your budget...
Rega P3
Rega Elex mk4
WiiM Mini (for streaming)
Monitor Audio silver 100

 

[Fandango Andy]

There are too many variables to pick an ideal system as it, but you have already identified some good options. Kef speakers can be quite forgiving about where you place them. You ideally want them on stands, if that isn't possible make sure the cabinet they sit on is solid, put some isolation pads under them and get them a good distance from the wall, 40 to 50 cm.

Raga Planar 3 is probably the best option around and up to the £1,000 mark so should be good.

There are lots of amps around the £1,000 mark, go and have a look at some that look the part, read the reviews and pick a few to audition.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

If you want to keep the box count down to two you could buy a amplifier with a good phone stage & streamer all built in .
So then you just got to think about the speakers and TT but highly recommend you go to your local hifi shop and see what's on offer for your budget but do not tell the shop your budget because your end up spending it all .
Look at second-hand because you might end up with something better that would normally cost a lot more for less money .
I would demo Amplifier , speakers , TT to get an idea what's possible with your budget for £4000 and comeback on here what you liked about and what you didn't like and also look at something that's way over budget that way you can see what's possible as your not committed to buy anything as any good dealer should show you but give them the idea's you have and they should put together a build based on what your after .

 

[RoA]

If vinyl is your main media then I would spend most on that. Short of a Gyrodeck I'd personally probably go for a Planar 8 with separate PSU and their new'ish top MM ND7 cartridge. That is a good chunk of your £4k gone. It may not be the absolute best performing deck available for the money but it looks gorgeous, sounds great and will please your wife.

For streaming just get a WiiM Pro Plus and put it out of sight.

That leaves around £1.5k for an amplifier and speakers.

I'd suggest an Audiolab 6000A MkII. Nice (MM) phono stage included and it looks sleek next to the Rega. It has a good power supply, drives most speakers with ease and is lovely transparent regardless of speaker impedance.

Then choose stand mounts that fit your room and taste, No easy advise there but I'd probably plump for a set of Quad S2's. Sound great and look even better.

I am sure any dealer will give you a nice discount or decent cables for free.

Future upgrades could be an MC if you want to go that way and a separate phono stage.

Others will suggest splitting a budget equally or spend most on speakers. All are valid but good engineering costs money and that is unfortunately where it's needed with turntables. I had a Rega P3 and while it is nice my current Technics deck is better in most respects, looks aside.

My 2ct's. Enjoy

 

[daytona600]

Technics SL-1200GR
Technics SU-GX70 Grand Class Network Audio Amplifier
Neat Acoustics Iota II

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Just be wise about it and look at many options as possible
Look at new , open box which that will be reduced from normal retail price and second-hand as there plenty of good TT out there that have been well looked after .
I am not going to say what TT you need or speakers or amp or streamer you need to go out and look and hear them do not buy blind or some other persons taste as there's might be different to yours .

And no disrespect to the other members on here but too many people buy online without demoing anything and then regret it afterwards .