Many thanks for your replies/suggestions.
Whiskywheels - Unfortunately the Rotel RA1520 is unavailable in Japan for some strange reason.
FrankHarveyHiFi - The Audiolab 8200CDQ is presently unavailable in Japan, although I hope that it will appear sometime early next year. The same goes for the Audiolab 8200P. Slightly frustrating, but I"ll just have to be patient.
Hi MUSICRAFT!
Hi Iglesias
I take it that you've listened to the 8200CD? If so, what amplification and speakers were used? ROKSAN KANDY 2/NAIM NAIT 5i/ATC SCM 11's/DYNAUDIO DM 2/7'S
What do you generally listen to? Experimental >>> Noisy guitar>>> Dub Reggae>>Classical >>> Electronica>>> ECLECTIC Tastes
Is your preference for an integrated amplifier, pre/power or either? WHICH/WHATEVER I CAN AFFORD
Apart from a phono stage is there anything else in particular you would like the amplifier to also have (such as remote, tone controls, mp3 input, headphone socket, etc.)? REMOTE & HEADPHONE SOCKET
Any specific power requirements from the amplifier? NO
Is the room lightly or heavily furnished? HEAVY (BOOKSHELVES & TABLE)
The size of your room? 3.5M WIDE BY 4.5M IN LENGTH
Room positioning of the new speakers (distance to walls, corners, will there be anything between the speakers such as a cabinet, etc.)? DISTANCE TO CORNER = 0.5M DISTANCE TO BACK WALL = 0.5M
Your listening distance? 1.5/2M
Your general listening level? JUST ABOVE A QUARTER
Will you stand, shelf or wall mount the speakers? STAND MOUNT
Interconnects and speakers cables? I USE A JAPANESE BRAND CALLED OYAIDE FOR ALL MY INTERCONNECTS & POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS.
Your maximum budget for an amplifier and speakers is? 2,500 GBP & 1,000 GBP (MAX) FOR A TURNTABLE (CANT GET REGA IN JAPAN!)
What kind of presentation are you looking for the system to reproduce?QUITE BIG, BUT CONTROLLED. GOOD DEEP BASS LEVELS, BUT NOT TOO 'BOOMY'.
MY PRESENT SYSTEM - MARANTZ 8004 CD/MARANTZ PM 8003/MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE BX2/ SOUND MAGIC HI-FI RACK & TAOC (SAND FILLED) SPEAKER STANDS. SOLID CORE OYAIDE SPKR. CABLE & OYAIDE INTERCONNECTS/POWER SUPPLY.
Any/all suggestions and advice would be most greatfully received.
best wishes
Iglesias