Baliacta-The Magnepan SMG/MMG have been the budget reference standard for 25+ years. I have not heard any of the Tekton models or the Zu Omen but the MMG will hold it's own against any of the speakers you mentioned. If your room will accommodate the larger MG 12 that will give you the extra bass the other speakers "might" have when compared to the MMG. 3 intergrateds I would check out are the NAD M3 or the Wyred4sound STI-500/1000 these are easy to find in the used market for around $1500.
Putting together first system... clueless.
Hello everyone, I've begun piecing together my first system, and I'm not really sure what to do in regards to the preamp. Vinyl is going to be the only source for the system.
The goals of the system are minimalism (as little as possible between the record and the speakers), and upgradeability. I figure, if I do it this way, can more easily learn about the differences in components and get a good feel for what I like and need, and upgrade accordingly.
It's a budget system and I should only spend about $3-4k for the entire system. The equipment I've bought so far is a Rega RP1 w/performance pack, and a Musical Fidelity VLPS-II. I think I'm gonna go with something from Magnepan for the speakers, so I've got maybe $1-2k left.
My question is this: Are there any recommendations for an extremely minimal preamp stage that is basically just 1 source in/out, with a volume control? If this equipment doesn't exist, is it much of a factor in this system if it's just a volume control? (As in, I could just make it myself with quality parts without introducing terrible sound?)
The goals of the system are minimalism (as little as possible between the record and the speakers), and upgradeability. I figure, if I do it this way, can more easily learn about the differences in components and get a good feel for what I like and need, and upgrade accordingly.
It's a budget system and I should only spend about $3-4k for the entire system. The equipment I've bought so far is a Rega RP1 w/performance pack, and a Musical Fidelity VLPS-II. I think I'm gonna go with something from Magnepan for the speakers, so I've got maybe $1-2k left.
My question is this: Are there any recommendations for an extremely minimal preamp stage that is basically just 1 source in/out, with a volume control? If this equipment doesn't exist, is it much of a factor in this system if it's just a volume control? (As in, I could just make it myself with quality parts without introducing terrible sound?)