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analog newbie questions...

Okay, so I'm totally new to this whole audiophile hobby thing, but am quickly becoming obsessed with it. A lot of the questions I'm going to ask might sound stupid, but please bear with me.

To start things off, I plan on purchasing a Rega P1. I've read a lot of reviews on it and it seems like a great entry level TT with excellant features and not too many frills. I'm also aware that I will most likely nees to buy a pre-amp, and I think I'm going with the Cambridge Audio 540p. As you can tell, I'm not trying to spend a ton of money here. Now, here's where I have a question... should I get an integrated amp instead of a receiver? If so, then the only thing I'll need to get are some decent speakers, right?
stormjoe1985
maineiac
649 posts
 
What system components do you have now?
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Building on Swampwalker's comments, most people today say "line stage" & "preamp" interchangably, but not some preamps also have the phono stage built in.

Also, you need to consider 2 types of cartridge, MM moving magnet, vs. MC moving coil. MM put out much larger signal than MC, and you need to make sure you get a cartridge that suits both the tonearm of the table and the phono stage.

If you consider vintage gear, any receiver or preamp from the 60s or 70s will have a phono stage built-in, most likely MM type. That will be cheapest way to dip your toe in the water.

A complete tangent, but PLEASE clean your LPs, or you won't get anywhere near the sound that LPs are capable of. Cheers,
Spencer
stormjoe1985 OP
4 posts
 
Okay, to clear things up, I plan on getting a Cambridge Audio 540p pre-amp, amd I looked it up and it DOES have a phono stage. So with that out of the way, I would want to get a an integrated amp (any suggestions???). Oh, and the Rega P1 already comes with the Ortofon OM5e MM cartridge. Would the pre I'm planning on getting be suitable for that cart?
pgawan2b
122 posts
 
Please provide your price range for both speakers and amp if you would like more specific help.

Generally speaking, the NAD amp/PSB speaker combo represents a good package from a value standpoint. I'd suggest looking for a used NAD C352 and PSB T45s.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,681 posts
 
Joe,If you're getting the Cambribge phono pre amp,I don't think you would go wrong getting a Cambridge integrated. The cartridge should be fine with the 540p.If there is a possible mismatch one of the analog guys here will probably let you know.Hopefully you can audition some of this equipment and see if you like the sound.
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