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Another amateur in need of advice

Hello all. I'm basically as green as they come, and am looking for some advice in putting together my first 2- channel audio system. Looking to keep it analog, with vinyl playback being the primary purpose of this whole escapade. If I feel compelled to stream something, i would just get a decent bluetooth receiver to appease the crowd of an informal get-together. 

I am looking to experience an "audiophile-grade" sound, but one that is also a giddy and involving listen. Some bass presence would be welcome (newb). In any case, I would prefer to keep the budget under $5k. First question - do I need an integrated amplifier? Can I just get an amplifier and connect the Lounge phono stage that I'm leaning towards? Or connect a CD player or radio tuner? Basically, does a power amp require a pre-amp, which it seems that an integrated provides? As far as integrated amps, I was first leaning towards the newer Rega Brio, but then I heard about the Rogue Sphinx V2. But then I read about all the noise issues with the Sphinx, which really turned me off from it. Noise issues would really steal the jam from my doughnut. The Heed Elixir seems to tick a lot of boxes, but it also seems that it really imparts it's own texture to the music. Maybe that's a good thing? A budgetary stretch - the Croft integrated looks pretty dang cool. If I only need an amplifier rather than an integrated for my purposes, any opinions on the Croft Series 7? 

As far as speakers, I'm as lost as the previous paragraph suggests. Right now leaning towards the Quad S-2, but was considering the KEF LS50 until I read that they sound best with a more powerful amp. Ditto for the Dynaudio Excite X14. And apparently the LS50s are rather bright sounding? Was not considering floor-standers until I found out that the Monitor Audio Silver 300s are pretty easy to drive. Every gosh-darn review I read only sends me deeper down the spiral of confusion and indecisiveness. 

My turntable choice is pretty set - the Mofi ultra deck with the better cartridge. Since it's $2200, it kind of eats up the budget considering the additional costs of cabling and, potentially, speaker stands. But it seems that it's the sort of component that I'll keep for life. 

I'd appreciate any words of guidance and wisdom! Have a good one! 
cleanshirt

Showing 8 responses by cleanshirt

cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
Damn, that Aria is enticing. But, then the Mofi ultra deck... couple bucks left for speakers. 

@twoleftears I looked at those vandersteens - i think i'm looking for something a bit more conventional for my first setup. Thanks for the lead, though! 
cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
Dang, thanks all. Starting to sound like freedom from choice is what I may need. In a tizzy - i guess stepping out into reality and hearing some of these setups is the next step. Any thoughts on the two NAD amps I mentioned? Are they really that far down-market in terms of quality, or are they just stripped of superfluous b.s. and thereby cheaper? 
cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
marktomaras, inna, twoleftears, thanks for your replies! Super informative and provided lots of new stuff to explore. Can't say I can spring for a set of vandersteens just yet, though. 

Since I'm going to be using this system mostly for vinyl playback, possibly a cd player, and looking for as small of a noise-floor as possible, I've begun considering the NAD C 316BEE and 326BEE. Reviews seem pretty darn enthusiastic. And that would free up my speaker budget to more seriously consider something like the silver 300s. Kind of a weird combo, I guess. 

cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
@david_ten The dartboard idea is starting to seem like the only feasible way forward. I was about to trek out into the great unknown of hifi stores and inapplicable room acoustics when you stopped me before I had put on my hat. 

cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
@jbhiller The room is somewhat large - about 16' x 15'. I live in a city environment, so while I most certainly enjoy "turning it up" every now and again, I can't do so too regularly. At the same time, I would like to be able to hear the fully articulated sound of the system in that space. Are the LS50s particularly bright? NAD stuff is intriguing, but i dunno - the reviews for the Exposure integrateds are pretty darn good. The 75 wpc model is $1800 new, and there's a small hifi shop down the road from me who sells them. Pretty friggin steep, but to have local support would be quite valuable, i think. 

@chrshanl37 Some impulse in me is leaning towards wired. 

Most likely not going to be able to swing an integrated amp to drive speakers that need copious power reserves to come into their own. 


cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
@david_ten Also, I most certainly did not mean to suggest that I was "looking down" on a receiver - just that I want all this stuff to bring out the best of each component. 

@chrshanl37 Looking into the Aria. Seems pretty amazing, but definitely more than I had originally intended to spend on an amp. Skews my budget priorities for sure. 

cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
Wow - I’m stunned by all your responses. Thanks for taking the time!

I’m going to start pecking at this knot as I can, seeing which direction to take as things reveal themselves. I live in NYC (Queens, 20 minute subway from manhattan), and I just found out there’s a small hifi shop down the road from me - only deals Rega and Exposure. Definitely going to check it out today. To be honest, I’m pretty intimidated by the manhattan stores - a lot of high-rollers in that part of town, auditioning wilsons and the like.

@jrpnde @beernut I really dig the NAD C326BEE’s seeming straightforwardness and aesthetic. But then the Exposure stuff and the Belles Aria seem to take that same approach and build on it. And from what I read, the Aria also has a fantastic phono stage.

Would it be ill-advised to pair a more sensitive speaker with a more powerful integrated amp like an Exposure or the Aria? Would it cause distortion, or something? Or is it more artful than that, like some of the responses have suggested? Thanks, and happy gosh-darn Friday!
cleanshirt OP
9 posts
 
Taking it all in, thanks all! 

@helomech Thanks for leading me onto the Tannoys! Never heard of them prior, and they seem to be pretty stellar!

I'm leaning toward the Tannoy XT8. The room where this system would be placed is unfortunately somewhat big, so that sorta steers me toward floor standing speakers. Would the XT8 be a good match with the Belles Aria? 


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