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help building a new system on a budget...

i want to move on from my "16-year-old-this-is-supposed-to-be-good-and-it's-cheap" system and need some help. i'm looking to go tube -- do i need both preamp and amp, or just an amp? i also want an older pair of floor-standing speakers. my budget is limited (around 600 or 700 would be nice). i basically want something that sounds a little warmer and more real than what i have now, and that will be equally at home w/ records and cd's playing rock, jazz and classical. my room is small (roughly 18 x 12) and has hard wood floors w/ an area rug (if this makes any difference). if you have any suggestions, please shout 'em out. thanks.
hoboken

Showing 1 response by sufentanil

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sufentanil
782 posts
 
Hello,

If you want to go with tubes, you'll have limited choices for your budget. You'll need both a preamp and an amp unless you choose an integrated amp, which has both the preamp and amp in one chassis. You'll save money by going with the integrated, so let's start there.

I would recommend the entry-level Jolida integrated (JD-1301?), which is $350 new, around $250 used. Mate it with some Totem Mites ($300 used), and maybe an old NAD, Rotel, or Denon CD player and you'll have a dynamite system for the price.

Good luck,

Michael
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