2. analog
  3. 1016513279

Need advice in coming out from the analog dead

I am getting back into the better quality audio game after have relegated myself to the sidelines for about 20 years. Used to have a fine Mac amp and pre and a Linn table which I kick myself (repeatedly) for having ever sold.

Anyway, I recently got a good deal on a VPI TNT table with a Origin Live Silver arm. Normally, I would not have bought a table FIRST, but the deal was too good to pass on. If I have to, I will sell and replace depending on what else I get.

I have about 2500 LP's (including about 40 MFSL's) and love the analog sound. Listen to what they now call "Classic Rock" - Beatles, Zeppelin, Yes, CSNY, Doors etc. but also Steely Dan and more "jazz" influenced music, especially piano soloists. Plus, I am really into female vocals. My "listening room is about 25X15 so I figure I will need some decent punch to deliver the goods to whatever speakers I ultimately choose. I am leaning heavily toward SS because I'm not sure I want to fool with "tube games" at this point in my life (though I loved my old Mac tubes).

After all that, my question is this. What would ya'll recommend, given the above, based on the following rough budget for used, unabused components:

Amplifier - $1500-$2000
Pre-Amp $800-1200
Speakers $2000

Or, as do some, would you recommed dialing back a bit on the amp and sinking more into speakers.

Thanks very much in advance for any help. Seems to be some very sage advice on this board.
4yanx
g_m_c
443 posts
 
you might as well find out now and not later.... phono stage and interconnects/speaker cables are/may be needed as well, and they can creep/pass toward that pre-amp number quickly.

you might need a phono cartridge as well, not to mention a serious lp cleaner.

fun but not an inexpensive hobby, worth every bit though.
sean
6,231 posts
 
If you had to choose between one or the other would you go for ???

Tonal balance: slightly brighter and more detailed or warm, smooth and musical ?

Speaker size: Floorstanders, bookshelves, monitors, etc... physical constraints for each type also vary, so please include more info.

Speaker style: Dynamic, E-stat / Planar / Ribbon, Hybrid panel / dynamic woofer, horns, etc...

Dispersion characteristics: Do you prefer imaging / instrument placement over soundstage size or vice versa, how big of a sweet spot do you require, etc...

Speaker placement: distance from rear and side walls, any other specific requirements, etc...

Listening position: How far will you be seated from speakers, how far from rear wall, etc..

Obviously, we would all like perfection in every area, but knowing what compromises you are more willing to make along with room characteristics and speaker requirements will allow us to make more educated suggestions. Also, have you forgotten / taken into consideration that you will need some type of rack, various cabling ( interconnects, speaker cables, power cords ), possible PLC, are room treatments in the plans somewhere down the road, etc ??? Sean
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4yanx OP
1,576 posts
 
Point taken. I was taking interconnects and speaker cables as a necessary, albiet costly, given. I do have a Benz-Micro Glider cartridge already.

As for the phono stage. Aren't there some decent pre-amps with phono stage included? I suppose purists would eschew the idea and perhaps I am naive in thinking the two can be combined effectively. But, hey, it is advice that I am after here! :-) I have seen on another thread that several advise a tube preamp with a SS amp.
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