What to pair with Rega PS3 RS turntable?

[SailToTheMoon]

Hi everyone - first time poster here.

I’ve just put a deposit on a Rega PS3 RS deck (new, for the home mainly 90s rock/indie/dance LPs, with 70s, 80s, 2000s thrown in), looking forward to picking it up at the weekend - I got it for £950 (with the external power box). At the demo today it was with an Arcam A15 which I really liked, but the salesman said that going for the A25 would make all the difference. I could just about swing it budget wise, but wondering what you guys think.

Is it worth going the extra money (think around £300) to match an A25 with that deck? I can get a demo of it at the weekend of course, but keen for views from others.

Also, he had it set up with KEF LS50 Meta speakers but I may go with floorstanders. Was thinking perhaps the Q Acoustics 5040 - although apparently I need to be careful matching them with the system? Another pair that caught my eye was the Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders - especially at the price Peter Tyson are currently doing them. Or would I be better of considering some other floorstanders pairing?

Overall budget for the 3 bits is £3000-£3500 (although would rather keep it low if I can).

Thanks in advance!! I’m a relative noob to all this, so any advice super appreciated.

 

[Integralista]

Hi, you may consider also the amp from Rega. Elex is excellent amp, also Brio. Brio works wery well with Kef LS 50 Meta. Q Acoustics 5040 or bigger 5050 are very good partners as well. If your room is bigger than say 20m², 5050 will work better. Or some florstander from Kef Q line or Focal Vestia are very good. New Arcam amps are very good. On the other hand Rega has very good Aya floorstanding speakers, they match very well with your turntable and Elex amp. BR.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Decide on the speakers first, then match the amp to the speakers.

How big is your room, and how much space do you have to play with as far as positioning the speakers?

 

[SailToTheMoon]

Decide on the speakers first, then match the amp to the speakers.

How big is your room, and how much space do you have to play with as far as positioning the speakers?

Hi. Thanks for your reply. The room is 23 square meters (3.9m x 5.9m). The speakers would be on the wall measuring 3.9m, with the listener facing the speakers around 4m away. I think the speakers would be approximately 2m-2.5m apart.

Hopefully that’s useful?

Edit: The only thing I’m committed to buying so far is the RP3 RS turntable.

 

[SailToTheMoon]

Hi, you may consider also the amp from Rega. Elex is excellent amp, also Brio. Brio works wery well with Kef LS 50 Meta. Q Acoustics 5040 or bigger 5050 are very good partners as well. If your room is bigger than say 20m², 5050 will work better. Or some florstander from Kef Q line or Focal Vestia are very good. New Arcam amps are very good. On the other hand Rega has very good Aya floorstanding speakers, they match very well with your turntable and Elex amp. BR.

Thanks for your reply. If I went with an Arcam amp I’d perhaps be thinking of the Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders at the heavily discounted price of £999 which certainly feels like a good deal (I was wondering if that discount should be taken at face value?). The Q Acousyics 5040 did appeal too, although I was a little concerned that even though they got five stars in the What Hi-Fi review, the review stated they have to be matched carefully with the above and source. Not really sure what that meant!

Edit: other speakers that caught my eye were the Wharfedale Evo 4.4s. I think aesthetically they look most pleasing, but obviously sound is the most importantly thing.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

If it was me, I’d look at the following
Speakers; AlChris audio Tx-1 or TX-5 on a set of SolidSteel SS-6 s.
Amp; New Rega Brio coming next month or get one of the last previous generations..
If budget stretches then get the Elex.
As mentioned above, speakers will have most impact then the amplifier ought to match the speakers.
Floorstanders generally easier to drive than stand mounts too. Be Careful to match.

The Brio is a brilliant musical amp and a perfect match to a RP3 as is the Elex..

The speakers I mention are incredible VFM… you would need to compare them to Kerr Audio offerings at 6x ish the price.

 

[RTHerringbone]

I think if the opening poster is demoing kit in Peter Tyson, then it makes no real sense to recommend a bunch of manufacturers that PT don't stock.

My view having auditioned the A25 and A15 is that it's worth the jump to the A25 just to future-proof yourself a bit, and give you a bit more flexibility with the types of speakers you can choose from. Build quality and usability are both very good.

Frankly if you listened to and liked the A15 then I'd consider sticking with Arcam as there are so many choice to make that it simplifies things if you're able to nail down both the turntable and the amp. Obviously you won't be able to try the amp with the turntable, but Peter Tyson are great to deal with so I'm sure you can explain your situation to them and they'll let you test the new kit out and return if you're dissatisfied.

I also got the LS50 Meta because I was basically buying based on the bundles PT had on offer and it seems @SailToTheMoon that that is what is influencing your choices too? Nothing wrong with that as it's a practical way to buy at a discount.

I would probably consider an A25 auditioning with the KEF R3 Meta and maybe the PMC prodigy5 to make a quick comparison between bookshelf and floor standers. I'd have got the R3 Meta myself as they're fuller and warmer than the LS50 Meta, but space was at a premium so I went with the smaller speakers and they great for my circumstances.

If you're totally new to this, then you may not have stands for bookshelf speakers so factor that in - but don't spend hundreds on KEFs own stands which are lovely but totally extortionate.

 

[SailToTheMoon]

If it was me, I’d look at the following
Speakers; AlChris audio Tx-1 or TX-5 on a set of SolidSteel SS-6 s.
Amp; New Rega Brio coming next month or get one of the last previous generations..
If budget stretches then get the Elex.
As mentioned above, speakers will have most impact then the amplifier ought to match the speakers.
Floorstanders generally easier to drive than stand mounts too. Be Careful to match.

The Brio is a brilliant musical amp and a perfect match to a RP3 as is the Elex..

The speakers I mention are incredible VFM… you would need to compare them to Kerr Audio offerings at 6x ish the price.

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. I’ll check out those speakers. The Elex amp is on my shortlist too!

Out of interest, do you have any views on the Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders?

 

[SailToTheMoon]

I think if the opening poster is demoing kit in Peter Tyson, then it makes no real sense to recommend a bunch of manufacturers that PT don't stock.

My view having auditioned the A25 and A15 is that it's worth the jump to the A25 just to future-proof yourself a bit, and give you a bit more flexibility with the types of speakers you can choose from. Build quality and usability are both very good.

Frankly if you listened to and liked the A15 then I'd consider sticking with Arcam as there are so many choice to make that it simplifies things if you're able to nail down both the turntable and the amp. Obviously you won't be able to try the amp with the turntable, but Peter Tyson are great to deal with so I'm sure you can explain your situation to them and they'll let you test the new kit out and return if you're dissatisfied.

I also got the LS50 Meta because I was basically buying based on the bundles PT had on offer and it seems @SailToTheMoon that that is what is influencing your choices too? Nothing wrong with that as it's a practical way to buy at a discount.

I would probably consider an A25 auditioning with the KEF R3 Meta and maybe the PMC prodigy5 to make a quick comparison between bookshelf and floor standers. I'd have got the R3 Meta myself as they're fuller and warmer than the LS50 Meta, but space was at a premium so I went with the smaller speakers and they great for my circumstances.

If you're totally new to this, then you may not have stands for bookshelf speakers so factor that in - but don't spend hundreds on KEFs own stands which are lovely but totally extortionate.

Thanks for this reply- it’s exactly the type of advice I need! I think I’m going to go with floorstanders. I really like the PMCs you recommend, but think that would maybe stretch the budget a bit for me unfortunately. Would the Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders be a decent stand in for those do you think? They normally retail around the same but Peter Tyson is selling them pretty cheap at £999.

90% going with the A25 now, really appreciate your advice on that.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Thanks for this reply- it’s exactly the type of advice I need! I think I’m going to go with floorstanders. I really like the PMCs you recommend, but think that would maybe stretch the budget a bit for me unfortunately. Would the Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders be a decent stand in for those do you think? They normally retail around the same but Peter Tyson is selling them pretty cheap at £999.

90% going with the A25 now, really appreciate your advice on that.

best thing to do then is listen to the whole lot hooked-up in PT and decide if you like the signature and if it's at all "tiring".
i have heard £15,000 system build in a demo that actually pained my ears and i had to ask for it to be turned off. NAIM into Kudos Cardea Super 20-A's !

 

[RTHerringbone]

If you're going with floorstanders, then see if you can try out the Focal Vestia and the PMC - the prodigy5 are in a bundle for £2,999:

Arcam Radia A25 Integrated Amplifier with PMC prodigy5 Floorstanding Speakers

When you buy the Radia A25 with these speakers as a bundle, you'll make significant savings. Not only that but we also offer the option to buy on Finance. Free next working day delivery to most UK regions is also included.

petertyson.co.uk

One thing I'd be mindful of is that floorstanders can obviously be much bassier than bookshelf speakers tend to be, so see how they sound with bass-heavy tracks. They can become a bit boomy which is mitigated by moving them further from the wall, so if your space permits then this isn't an issue, but is something to be aware of.

But if you're able to compare both sets of speakers then you're in a gopod position, as ultimately it's your ears rather than online reviews and recommendations that matter.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. I’ll check out those speakers. The Elex amp is on my shortlist too!

Out of interest, do you have any views on the Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders?

i suspect the Elex will have a different tone to the Arcam.
i have listened to the Arcam and found it to be nice and neutral. i quite like neutral.
i have also heard the Rega's and i always refer to Rega as musical; more rounded, less neutral,. Some may say "muddied".......
the synergy of components and selection is purely individualistic. no review nor opinion really matters other than your own.
as i mentioned, my 3rd system is my most enjoyable !

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Thoise Focal speakers will not be as capable as the PMC P5s.
i have P5s in my snug, they have been in various system incarnations and they are able to really, really deliver !
their £2k price point is consequent to a cheaper build, no veneers, just a box that has some rather special engineering employed.
stepping up from PMC are my AlChris Audio's. They are 5x the experience ! but not easy to "synergise" and arguably, if you are going with the Arcam, then the PMCs may suit budget better in that bundle deal !
too much choice in this hobby / addiction.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

i ought to add that i always seek VFM as a priority. £2k to £10k doesn't offer 5x the improvement. do not be fooled by price.

 

[SailToTheMoon]

best thing to do then is listen to the whole lot hooked-up in PT and decide if you like the signature and if it's at all "tiring".
i have heard £15,000 system build in a demo that actually pained my ears and i had to ask for it to be turned off. NAIM into Kudos Cardea Super 20-A's !

Haha I’ve had a somewhat similar experience when buying acoustic guitars!!

Trouble with the Focals is that PT is the only shop to stock them and I live in Scotland. I was going to mail order if enough people thought they were solid. I bought £7k worth of home cinema equipment from PT a few years ago and their service was excellent, so one of the few vendors I’d buy from remotely with confidence. I suppose I could spend a couple of grand on speakers but this is something I’m only getting back into - at the moment I only have 3 records (or at least only have 3 records I’d let anywhere near my new deck haha)

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

plus your P3 RS; Absolutely phenomenal

i suspoect Doug Braxdy would bundle the NAIT 50 and the SX's with some good quality speaker cable and Ohmic terminations to match too.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

P3 RS + Naim NAIT 50 + Motive SX3's on SS-6s. WHAT A SYSTEM !

note that the PHONO stage that your P3 RS will drive through is fundementally CRITICAL. I doubt that the Arcam with all its bells and whistles has allocated much REAL world value to it.

the NAIT 50 on the other hand............would more than complement the P3 RS [it's why I have a P6 hooked into it in my office; a STELLAR phono stage inside an amplifier]...

if you go the Arcam route, i would suggest looking at a seperate phono stage to really maximise your P3 RS; such as an NJC or Michal Fidler

too much choice !

but seriously, if it's all about vinyl playback and enjoyment, select that amplifier carefully and ensure the PHONO stage is "up-to-it"

can you tell i am on my 3rd cup of coffee this morning !

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Focal Vestia No2 floorstanders

Hi

I have since a week the Vestia No4 and I´m utterly impressed, I think it is a lot of speaker for the money one can buy them.
The No2 will have less bass fundament and punch than the No4 but the clarity and transparency of mids and highs is just fantastic and I´m sure the No2 will be like that as well.
Built quality is also very good, very solid.