2. amps-preamps
  3. 126015-86553

Finally stepping into the hobby after 30 years of watching from the sidelines

Ok, so I hope you are all ok with a longwinded post from a first time user of the forum.  I have been obsessed with vinyl and tubes since my dad played records for me as a 5 year old.  My wife and I are finally in a place that we can take the leap into the scene.  We want to grow our system over time and may even create 2-3 systems along the way as we have a bed and breakfast where we want to make analog part of the theme. 

We have made up our mind that our first speakers will be Vandersteen 2CE sigs.  That is about as far as we have gotten.  We definitely want to power them with tubes and have very little idea of where to start.  Obviously the mainstream option would be a Mcintosh mc275 and our local HiFi salesman would LOVE to sell us a pair of those.  However, we know that there are several cheeper/better options out there and would love some input from the board.  We'd like to keep the first amp under $3,000, but we aren't locked into that.  Keep in mind that we are ok starting with a single amp and then adding a second one along the way to mono them.  Also, we would love some help with a table/arm/cartridge!  One with an integrated phono stage is fine to start with and we would again be open to upgrading and adding a stand alone phono stage later on.  

We will be doing some electrical work soon to run a 40 amp fuse to the BnBs espresso machine and would be open to setting up a dedicated line for our main system at that time so that we can have clean power.  Has any one had any experience with this?  Any ideas or recommendations that you may have would be a big help here! 

Thank you all in advance, and we are really excited to finally be part of the scene! 
128x128cottguy
inna
7,347 posts
 
Cottguy,
You mean Interspace deck/arm of course not AceSpace deck/arm which is an equivalent of what I have only better. AceSpace deck/arm is about $4.5k new, I think, and Interspace with arm is $2.5k new.
Would it be enough for you? Would, say, used VPI Classic with arm be a better choice than new Nottingham Interspace ? The answer to the first question depends on how high your expectations are and will also depend on the rest of your equipment including cartridge and phono stage. I heard it once not in my system, I liked the table but not the rest of the system, as I remember, but still I wanted to go one step up, that's Spacedeck or AceSpace as it is now. To answer the second question I would need them side by side with the same MM cartridge and phono. My wild guess is that Nottingham would win in engagement musicality look and feel, and VPI in resolution. I like equipment that has character, that gets you involved. Nottingham does this for me, so does my Redgum solid state integrated. I can sacrifice some resolution and precision, and I don't chase ultimate bass.
inna
7,347 posts
 
Anyway, I would not rush with the choice of a turntable, I would first settle the amp/speakers question. And you are absolutely right in refusing to buy any speakers without auditioning. At the very least you need to know the brand's sound signature. Also, some speakers have a very long breaking-in time, hundreds of hours, so what you hear at demos may not be how speakers can sound. Other pieces too, just normally not that long except some power cords.
As for the question of how to divide $10k, there is no one correct answer, it also depends on how lucky you are if you buy used. However, in your case it appears that the tube amp is going to be the most important element of the system and so it must be satisfactory, though not necessarily the most expensive. Some $3k new speakers can sound surprisingly good with excellent source and amplification. My amp cost as much as the speakers and my analog front end is more expensive than they both combined, but not by much.

raymonda
855 posts
 
I would disagree regarding your front end. If the right piece came up i would buy it ASAP. Your speakers and amp are more interdependent and should be selected in regards  to each other. Your front end is less so.

Buying new has its pros, namely warranty. However, used does, too. You could probably ensemble a 20 to 30,000 system within your 10,000 buget used, thus getting you potentially a higher level of playback.

The thought of trying out every piece prior to purchase will narrow your choices tremendously. I  would stay away from buying anything new without an audition. However, used is less a financial risk, since you can often sell the piece at or near the price you paid and it will only cost you some time.

The reality today, for me, is that to get the sound I want I have to buy used. I have never been disappointed. That's not to say i have kept every piece i have purchased, i haven't. But trying the piece out for the long haul in my home has been fun and proven invaluable.

I think you have been wise to date but i would not hesitate too much. Sometimes a quick but thoughtful decision has to be made or you'll miss out. Remember your regret with the VAC.


wolf_garcia
6,733 posts
 
Hybrid amps, with both gasoline engines and batteries, will fill your listening room with unwanted toxic fumes and although they might sound OK, you will die. Great mileage though.
michaeljbrown
146 posts
 
With respect to turntables, tone arms and cartridges, Dave at vinylnirvana is a great resource. He rebuilds Thorens, AR and others and is a real nice guy. I own one of his rebuilt and modded Thorens Long Base 125's, with an SLE tonearm and upscale Ortofon cartridge. He gives instruction by phone and online as well.
He has all ranges. As far as I know he is still in business.

More to discover