calebstephen
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buying my first set up and really need some help
jackfish
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Integrated amp - has a control/pre amp and power amp in one box. Look for one with a phono input or you will need a phono preamp as well.

Pre amp and power amp - control/pre amp and power amp in separate boxes. Preamp will need a phono input or again you will need a phono preamp.

Receiver - essentially an integrated amp that also incorporates an AM/FM tuner. Will need a phono input or there is a need for a phono preamp.

One initial word of advice - if you want a two channel music system don't waste your time with Home Theater receivers.

What is your budget?

What is your room like?

What are your listening preferences?

Oh yeah, don't get the USB Project Debut III, get one like this, http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Turntables-Debut-III-Basic-Black http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7622-pro-ject-debut-iii-matte-black-turntable.aspx http://www.listenup.com/Pro-Ject+Debut+III+Matte+Black-p-DEBUTIII-Matte-p-.html

calebstephen
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thank you. my budget is around 1000 for everything. i know as of now my ear isnt good enough to pick up on a lot of things and i also dont have any background to base judgments on so a good begginer set up will probably sound fantastic to me. im in the process of looking for a new place to move so i cant give you any info on room because i have no clue. ideally i thouht it would be nice if i could run a home theater throught the same amp/reciever/etc. killing 2 birds with one stone unless thats just a huge no no. i listen to mostly indie, rock, and acoustic stuff. 

i just couldnt find anything that laid out in clear terms what my options were and what was the best. would you reccomend going through an external pre as opposed to a built in phono channel?

what amp/receiever would you reccomend for me?

hcsunshine
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the NAD 326BEE. its 50 watts x 2 channels. that would set you back about $500. then you would need a phono preamp, you could get the NAD PP2i phono preamp for $130. good luck.

jackfish
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the better sounding Music Hall A15.2 with more power (75 watts x 2) and a very servicable built in phono stage for only $500 total. Very favorable review in the December 2010 Stereophile by Sam Tellig.

calebstephen
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is 2 channel the best?

what about the marantz pm5004?

and do both of those would for a home theatre set up as well?

jackfish
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I personally watch movies in two channel and am satisfied. However, a really good 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 or 7.2 system with a 60"+ TV in an adequate room for all that is great for movies. If you listen to mostly music, two channel should be enough. Unless, you have a system that can take advantage of a large library of multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio pieces.

So what is your likely distribution of music and movies?

calebstephen
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more music than movies. thats why im buying it. the movies would be a bonus add on.

calebstephen
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ok your thoughts....

project debut iii

cambridge azur 550

and a cambridge/projects/music hall pre amp

jackfish
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My thoughts are closer to a Pro-ject Debut III in basic black ($369) and a Music Hall A15.2 integrated amp ($499).

calebstephen
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loud speakers were the next question haha

jackfish
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auditioning. Your own ears have to make the final decision.

calebstephen
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thats part of my problem. i have absolutely zero hifi stores where i live. :(

jackfish
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policy so one can listen to their equipment in the home. For loudspeakers here are possibilities:

http://axiomaudio.com/stereospeakers.html

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/spkrlist.html

http://www.svsound.com/speakers/s-series

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG

http://emotiva.com/xref_speakers.shtm

http://emotiva.com/ert83.shtm http://emotiva.com/erm63.shtm http://emotiva.com/erm62.shtm

http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/Aperion-Audio-Products,4.aspx

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_42

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/subwoofers.html

http://www.salksound.com/songtower%20home.htm

http://www.fritzspeakers.com/index.asp

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/index.php?c=loudspeakers&cPath=21

http://www.emptek.com/products.php

The best of these as far as I'm concerned are the Magnepan MMGs with a good sealed, servo controlled subwoofer like Rythmik, the Ascend Sierra-1 or Ascend Sierra Towers, and Salk Songtowers.

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