If you have any interest in home theater I offer you another possibility. Buy a $500 to $600 HT receiver - a used Denon 3803, for example, to tide you over while you learn more about good quality gear. Make certain it has preamp outputs. When you have the money, add a good quality amp to drive the front speakers. Later, after you've saved up some more, buy a nice pre-amp and demote the receiver to HT duties only, by routing its preamp outs through the preamp's HT bypass. This way, you don't waste any money, and you can upgrade in stages. The end result is a high-quality two channel system with HT capability.
Limited budget-spend more money on amp or preamp?
Hi. I am new to decent sound. I have a OK pair of full-range speakers (Von Schweikert VR-2000's) and are now looking for something to power them with. I am very limited with funds now, and am looking for decent used gear (both an amp and preamp). Out of the two components, would money be better spent on a good amp that I will be happy with for several years and a budget preamp, or the other way around? I have been looking at both a Bryston .4B Linestage and a Bryston 3B/4B amp, but I can't afford both. If I go with the .4B preamp, I will have to cut corners on the amp (probably an Adcom 545II). Likewise, if I get the 4B amp, I will have to get a cheaper preamp-something used under $150.
What combo would give me the best sound? Thanks in advance!
What combo would give me the best sound? Thanks in advance!