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Please recommend components for newbie with $1K

I currently have a late-90's Sony cd player, a pair of old Realistic speakers that are hand-me-downs from my father-in-law, and a Scott 418-A integrated from the mid-70's (I think) that I acquired at a pawn shop when I was an undergrad. Sounds pretty bad, so I want to upgrade. I can put in $1000 now, so I want to get speakers and an integrated amp or a receiver. I guess that gives me around $500 for each. I need the amp to have A/B speaker switching. A phono stage would be nice too, although I'm not opposed to getting a separate phono preamp in the future if necessary. This system will be a smallish room, about 14x10, 8' ceilings.

Unless I can find something used, I'm leaning toward the Marantz PM7200 integrated. Local shops have also suggested the Integra DTM 5.3 receiver. I would buy the NAD 720BEE today but it's $540 before tax.

Thanks for reading. Any amp and speaker recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
reanalyst

Showing 2 responses by kotta

kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
An MMG w/a sub sounds like a great combination. I personally would buy something other than the Marantz you mentioned. An Arcam Alpha 10 Int. amp is for sale here at around $500. If you're considering a bookshelf spk. check out the Ascend Acoustics CMB-170. (Just ordered a pr. for my downstairs basement music room. Same size room as yours. Have a little Energy S8.2 sub which will feel in the missing bass. If this combination doesn't float my boat, I believe I'll give the MMG a try.) There are some great deals on Tannoy MX1/2/3's spks. which sound very musical. Plateau makes some really nice affordable stands if you decide on a bookshelf spk. The RT series w/silver post is very attractive. Don't forget use decent spk. wires and Interconnects. (Straightwire makes some really good affordable products. Wireworld Oasis 3 Interconnects are wonderful sounding interconnects. Great value used) Good Luck!
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
A lower sensitivity spk. will require more power to sound as loud as a spk. w/higher sensitivity. 86dB vs. 89dB, twice as much power for the 86dB spk. to sound as lond as the spk. rated for 89dB. However, these are only numbers which may or may not be an accurate figure. Also, these figures tend to be higher when the spk. is placed in a room. Bookshelf spks. are generally less sensivity than floorstanders. Sealed design less sensitive than one which is ported. The Arcam is rated 170w @ 4ohm I believe. Not too int. amps will drive a lower ohm spk. unless you spend much more. Considering your budget the Arcam would be a fine choice. Regarding last question, it would depend on the spk. Another 6ohm spk. would drop the impedance to 3ohm. I'd bet the Arcam could handle this but you might want to contact the Arcam. Also, the impedance curve of a spk. is not constant figure. It varies all over the frequency range. Hope this helps. Bill
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