Vintage/Budget Amp required.

[neep]

I'm new to vinyl. I've grown bored of storing songs digitally and on CD, and I would like to feel like I actually own my music rather than 'borrowing' it.

I've spent a good few hours researching, and I've ended up here through various websites. I have nothing to begin with. However, I know I need a decent turntable, preamp/reciever, and a good set of speakers.

Someone recommended a Dual CS 505-1 for starting out, so I could get the feel, and see if I really like it. But recommendations for pre-amps/recievers get a bit hazy, and there's often conflicting arguments between people on what is good/****.

I'm not looking to break the bank too much - around £50 would be the sweet spot, any lower would be great. I do like the idea of vintage ones, since they're cheap and do a good job.

I know I could probably lurk the forums and find an answer, but there's just too much choice!

[raphaelmabo]

Good brands for amplifiers, receivers and pre-amps are Nad, Rotel, Arcam, Proton. You should be able to pick one from the 80's. Others you could search for is Harman-Kardon, Marantz, Technics and Luxman. There are lots from the 70's from them.

Harman-Kardon HK630 is a nice 70's vintage receiver, great looks but may be out of your budget.
Tandberg has some models too, the TR-220 receiver seems to go for quite little money.

[neep]

I can have a PIONEER A-450R for pretty cheap. Wouldn't I need to buy a standalone pre-amp because it's only an amplifier?

[Squiffything]

Neep the older amps had a phono input built in and looking at a pic of the back of yours it appears to have this.



Connect your TT to the phono input sockets and wire in the ground wire.

Stick in a couple of speakers (4 if you wish) and turn it up to 11!

Slip a LP on the platter and sit back and enjoy you're good to go.

OK the tweeking and upgrading will now start, to get it sounding better but in theory you're good to go.

[neep]

Cheers for that I literally have no idea what I'm doing, I'd rather get clued up than go in buying silly stuff I don't need.

Looks like I'm set.

[raphaelmabo]

The Pioneer A-450R is a integrated amplifier, meaning it combines a pre-amplifier and a power amplifier in one unit. Integrated amplifiers is often called just amplifiers, while amplifiers without pre-section is called power amplifiers. So if it states only "amplifier", then it is an integrated.

The pre-section includes volume controls and switching between sources, it is a connector box.
The power amplifier only amplifies the signal to the loudspeakers.
If you have those in separate units you can mix and match different units to tailor tweak the sound and performance and features for your personal taste and requirements, and they - theoretically - may sound better than an integrated - but it is also a more costly solution. There are many great sounding integrated amplifiers around.

A receiver is an integrated amplifier combined with a tuner (radio) section.
A preceiver is a pre-amplifier combined with a tuner (radio) section, you need to add a power amplifier for this one.

[Squiffything]

Neep, it is confusing to begin with and there often appears to be many solutions to each problem with each solution seeming to get more and more costly.

Ask questions and happily let people know you are a beginner. Most of the guys and gals on here are very helpful and are a pretty friendly bunch.

I think getting people into the playing of vinyl is more important to begin with rather than having newbies starting up with mega price systems so you will get good advice based on your budget.

Be prepared to listen and heed that advice. There are plenty that come along with their ideas already set in stone and just want to hear approval. If their idea is wrong or a poor choice then they will be told. If they still won't listen then let the battering begin Ok I'm kidding there

Good luck with the TT adventure and keep us posted.

Graham

[neep]

Thanks for the sound advice guys. Like I said, I'm only just starting out, so buying expensive equipment just seems pointless. I'd rather buy old and used, simply because it's a shame to let such old technology go to waste, especially when it still works fine

I'm looking forward to starting my collection, I've already bought LP's for everything I own on CD! I'll keep myself posted

[Singlemania45]

A classic like the NAD 3020 is worth checking out with its very good phono stage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-SERIE ... 3a76f67ec5

[Eoin]

A Creek 4040 is a great amp. Expect to pay about £40 on eBay.

[dancingbear]

Neep, whereabouts in UK are you - I have a few older amps I need to get rid of! PM me if you want more info

[steve195527]

got a yamaha ca800 for sale if interested,can be run in Class a for better sound!

[duficity]

The Nikko Beta preamps have excellent phono sections, and accept 2 turntables with various loading and gain options. The Beta I and III are the best of the bunch. Good stuff from the 70s when Nikko made a run at the high end. their amps from the same era are excellent too. Another option is Sanusi Au717, an integrated with good power, excellent build and sound. Later Sansui's are not so good.

[neep]

Hey guys. So I've got my Amp, TT, and speakers. However, I'm having a bit of trouble with connecting the speakers/amp in regards to impedance. I've tried finding a manual for my amp, but to no avail.

How would I need to terminate these speakers to my amp?

Speaker Impedance - 8 Ohms/speaker. (Each speaker has 2 Red, 2 Black terminals).

Amp - A,B - 4-16 Ohms/speaker.
A+B - 8-32 Ohms/speaker.

Thanks.