Complete newbie help | Stereophile.com

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Submitted By: indymichael

member

Location: Austin, TX

Joined: Jan 18 2012

Posts:

Complete newbie help

Posted: January 18, 2012 - 10:50am

My wife bought me a Pro-Ject Debut III for Christmas (I've got a great wife). I had nothing that I could use to play it so I quickly bought a Onkyo TX-8255 Stereo Receiver (because it had a phono) and a pair of Polk Audio TSi200 Bookshelf Speakers from Amazon. Needless to say, I don't have a big budget. I'm getting to the 30 day point of return and decided I like the speakers but am not happy with the receiver (who knew a $160 receiver wouldn't be the sound of my dreams??). I've decided to spend a little more money on a amp and return the Onkyo and am down to three (unless you guys have a better solution).

The choices are:
Cambridge Audio Azur 350A for $449
Music Hall A15.2 for $499
or
Marantz PM5004 for $449

The reviews I can find seem to indicate the Music Hall is the better choice. What do you guys think?

Submitted By: jackfish

senior member

Location: Western Wisconsin

Joined: Dec 19 2005

Posts:

All are competent pieces,

Posted: January 18, 2012 - 1:00pm

All are competent pieces, however only the Music Hall and Marantz have MM phono inputs. I think the Music Hall would be worth the extra $50 for the extra power alone.

Submitted By: commsysman

senior member

Location: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Joined: Apr 4 2006

Posts:

AMPLIFIERS

Posted: January 21, 2012 - 10:27am

The Cambridge Audio 650A is normally $779, but Audio Advisor has it for $499 now.

That is a very good deal on a very good amplifier (currently listed in Recommended Components).

Audio Advisor also has the Musicla Fidelity Phono Preamp V-LPS for $99, which is far better-sounding than the phono stages built into any amplifier for under $1500.

indymichael wrote: