graveplacebo
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Turntable for Xmas. Need advise.
commsysman
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graveplacebo wrote:

Hello All

I am new here but have been really enjoying the forums. Dropped a few hints and my wife bought me a turntable for Christmas and some new vinyl. I have no speakers or amp so I need advise on how to proceed. I have been doing a lot of research and there are just so many options.

Budget: $600 - $800 for amp and speakers

Turntable has a built in preamp. In the future I will likely add a better quality preamp. For now my focus is on the amp and speakers.

Here is what I am looking at:

Speakers - Elac B6 - These get some great reviews and are reasonably priced too. But I am also considering the Kilpsch RP-150M.

Amp - This one has me stumped, I was initially drawn to a tube amp, in particular the Gemtune X1 - the size is great and it has the unique tube factor. However from what I am reading it really is not going to be able to power the speakers adequately.

As a result of my research I am now tending towards the NAD C 316BEE. Great reviews. Size is a little bigger than I would like, but I can work with the larger form factor for better sound.

So will the NAD work well with the B6 or Kilpsch speakers? Is there an alternative amp I should look at that has both power and the smaller form factor?

I know this is a very basic system, but right now the budget is limited and I am a total noob. But very excited about playing vinyl and building from this.

Any advise you guys can give me or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Richard

I would strongly advise you against the Klipsch speakers; there are many speakers of similar price and size that sound much better. Most people (me included) find the Klipsch horn tweeters they use to be quite unpleasant.

The Elac B6 is a very good speaker, and the price is attractive. Others that would be good to consider would be the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 and 10.2, and the Focal 705V (Music Direct has a good price on them).

For an amplifier, I suggest the Cambridge Audio 351A. Audio Advisor is offering it for $399 (was $599) right now, and I think it would be a slightly better amplifier than the NAD 316. It also has a USB digital input so you can play your computer music library thorough it directly if you should wish to.

Any tube amp worth considering would cost well over $1000; I advise you to forget about tubes until you have enough money to get a fairly good one ($2000-$3000). There are many good-sounding solid-state amps for less than $700, and no tube amps.

Nellomilanese
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I second the opinion on Klipsich speakers....I also find their presentation "agressive" in the mid-high. If you're really set on them try to listen to them 1st...or buy with a return policy.
Wharfedale Diamond series are really amazing for the price (my 1st speakers).
So are the Dali Zensor 3 (my 2nd speakers). In fact Zensor 3 are so ggod I had to buy speakers almost x3 the price to get a noticeble improvement! They work great w vinyl (personal experience).
If you can squeeze a B&W 685 speaker (1st series or s2 or maybe used) in your budget that would be a bit better than the Zensor 3.
Focal are very good too.
Also, tube amps under 1-1.5 k are not worth it.
Nad is a great choice and so is Cambridge Audio (my current amp).
I bought my brother the Denon PMA 720 AE amp for Xmas and tried it on my system for a few days. I found it astounding really for the price! The built in phono stage was very good also! for sure better than the built-in you're using now...so you're getting a free phono update to boost.
Marantz PM line of amps is another great choice in your budget.
Keep us updated.

graveplacebo
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Thanks for the responses. Great advise on speakers. Definitely broadening my scope. So many choices. Going to stay away from the Klipsich and research the other speakers you guys mentioned.

The Cambridge Azure 351A is actually only $293 on Amazon right now, which by what you guys are saying seems like an awesome price. Going to stay away from tube for now and focus on the Cambridge and NAD. Some great industry reviews on the NAD, but the Cambridge is very compelling and has added features over the NAD.

I appreciate all the great advise.

Nellomilanese
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Nad amps tend to have more bass and are more dynamic.
Cambridge Audio a leaner presentation with amazing delicate yet detailed highs.
see who suits your requirements better.

commsysman
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graveplacebo wrote:

Thanks for the responses. Great advise on speakers. Definitely broadening my scope. So many choices. Going to stay away from the Klipsich and research the other speakers you guys mentioned.

The Cambridge Azure 351A is actually only $293 on Amazon right now, which by what you guys are saying seems like an awesome price. Going to stay away from tube for now and focus on the Cambridge and NAD. Some great industry reviews on the NAD, but the Cambridge is very compelling and has added features over the NAD.

I appreciate all the great advise.

I have the NAD C326BEE amp in one location and the Cambridge 340A, an older version of the 350, and both are very good amplifiers. I don't think I could tell one from the other by listening, but the Cambridge might be a little bit more accurate and neutral. That is a good price on the 351A, so you might want to jump on that.

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