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Help for a newbie with kids in school

Craig2.0

Craig2.0

New Member
Hello :)

I have had a simple 5.1 system for many years. It is a Yamaha RXV-685 receiver with Definitive Technology speakers.

I want to set up a separate system for just my Rega RP3 turntable with Elyse 2 cartridge for hifi 2 channel listening.

I am also at a stage in my life where I cannot afford to spend $10-$30 k on my system as I have kids in school right now. :) Maybe in a few years I can spend some more money, but for now my budget is limited so I am looking at used gear.

I am looking at a Rotel Power amp and separate pre-amp that I saw on canuckaudiomart.com

I am in contact with the owner of these pieces. They aren't ancient like some of the components I have been looking at from Bryston and may not need recapping. I found a Bryston preamp and amp together for sale for $1500 can at a buy and sell store. I contacted Bryston and all they could tell me is that they are from the 80's and each piece would cost $1000 each to service. So, refurbishing the old Bryston to new would total $3500 including the gear and fixing them up to be like new.

Rotel Power Amplifier For Sale - Canuck Audio Mart

Rotel Stereo Control Amplifier For Sale - Canuck Audio Mart

I know Rotel isn't as high end as the Krell's Bryston's etc but I was wondering if this would give me the boost in performance i am looking for over my current Yamaha system? I would also be purchasing new speakers and would welcome any recommendations from the experts here on that as well.

Or... I could consider this budget company Emotiva. Their prices for their units, brand new, seem too good to be true. What are your thoughts on Emotiva and their monoblock power amp and Stereo preamp? For some reason I don't like their company name, but I can get over that if they give me what I am looking for. :rflmao:

BasX A1 Monoblock Power Amplifier – Emotiva Audio Corporation

BasX PT1 Stereo Preamplifier/DAC/Tuner – Emotiva Audio Corporation

I have also been considering some Kef loudspeakers or perhaps Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2, Sonus Faber Lumina III Floorstanding Speakers, Dali Oberon 9 Floorstanding Speakers, KEF HiFi Uni-Q Floorstanding. Loudspeakers - Black (Q950B), KEF R Series Mid-Size Floor-Standing Speakers with 5" Mid-Range and 1" Tweeter - Walnut - Pair (R7WALNUT)

I am kind of feeling a little overwhelmed and don't want to waste any money on stuff that will not give me a marked improvement over my Def Tech speakers and Yamaha set up.

Any pointers from you experts would be much appreciated!

Have a great day!

Craig
 
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I have also been looking at Cambridge Audio Intergrated amps as they are very affordable and can be had at a big box store. Any thoughts on these?
 
Craig2.0 said:
Any pointers from you experts would be much appreciated!
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Craig: what province are you in? (let me guess: BC?)

Most important factor in SQ will be your room; that accounts for 50% of what you hear. Choose your speakers first and research how they will interact with your room environment, then from there you'll know how much power you need, etc. Picture and dimensions of your listening area would be helpful. Things you must consider: How many and what size windows, type of flooring, how much furniture, room layout.

You can get great sound quality for a very reasonable price if you do your homework intelligently.
 
A good 2-channel system starts with the speakers. It'll take some research and auditioning time to find something that sounds right to you. Take note of the electronics that your local dealers offer and ask them to connect a few different options to the speakers you like so you can hear any differences. Since it won't be your end-all system, spend as much as you can at the time. A good integrated amp is a great way to save some money over separates and cables. I've found Cambridge Audio products to offer very good performance that are cost effective. I'd recommend one of their new offerings that mate well with the speakers you choose over any older product that will require blind money and time to bring it back to its original specs. If you're determined to go the vintage route, I'd recommend waiting till you have more time available to do adequate evaluations. My brief experiences with vintage have led to more disappointment than success.
 
UncleAng said:
Craig: what province are you in? (let me guess: BC?)

Most important factor in SQ will be your room; that accounts for 50% of what you hear. Choose your speakers first and research how they will interact with your room environment, then from there you'll know how much power you need, etc. Picture and dimensions of your listening area would be helpful. Things you must consider: How many and what size windows, type of flooring, how much furniture, room layout.

You can get great sound quality for a very reasonable price if you do your homework intelligently.
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Thanks for the reply! I am in Ontario and am shipping it for about $300 on purolator.

Would you go for the circa 2015 Rotel stuff or should I go with new Rotel for triple the money or a new NAD pre and power amp or something else. Thanks again!
 
jayvis said:
A good 2-channel system starts with the speakers. It'll take some research and auditioning time to find something that sounds right to you. Take note of the electronics that your local dealers offer and ask them to connect a few different options to the speakers you like so you can hear any differences. Since it won't be your end-all system, spend as much as you can at the time. A good integrated amp is a great way to save some money over separates and cables. I've found Cambridge Audio products to offer very good performance that are cost effective. I'd recommend one of their new offerings that mate well with the speakers you choose over any older product that will require blind money and time to bring it back to its original specs. If you're determined to go the vintage route, I'd recommend waiting till you have more time available to do adequate evaluations. My brief experiences with vintage have led to more disappointment than success.
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Thank you so much for your reply!
 
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I could always go with an integrated amplifier around the $2500 mark. Or would this not give me the performance boost I am looking for over my Yamaha RXV-685?

Thank You.
 
Craig2.0 said:
I could always go with an integrated amplifier around the $2500 mark. Or would this not give me the performance boost I am looking for over my Yamaha RXV-685?

Thank You.
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I believe you'll notice an improvement with just about any 2-channel integrated amp in that price category over your current A/V receiver, depending on what performance improvements you're looking for. Rotel, Cambridge Audio, and Marantz would be good brands to start searching for an integrated that meets your needs. All offer very good analog sounding performance. In fact, I have a Rotel RA-1572 in my secondary system that I'm very pleased with. Yamaha also has some nice integrated amps, but I've found them to have a more analytical sound signature that isn't as warm sounding as those other three brand options. It will depend on the type of sound and speakers you prefer. As far as speaker recommendations, it will depend on what type of music you listen to. Do you prefer a detail rich and revealing sound or a warmer more laid-back sound? Do you have a budget limit on the speakers?
 
jayvis said:
I believe you'll notice an improvement with just about any 2-channel integrated amp in that price category over your current A/V receiver, depending on what performance improvements you're looking for. Rotel, Cambridge Audio, and Marantz would be good brands to start searching for an integrated that meets your needs. All offer very good analog sounding performance. In fact, I have a Rotel RA-1572 in my secondary system that I'm very pleased with. Yamaha also has some nice integrated amps, but I've found them to have a more analytical sound signature that isn't as warm sounding as those other three brand options. It will depend on the type of sound and speakers you prefer. As far as speaker recommendations, it will depend on what type of music you listen to. Do you prefer a detail rich and revealing sound or a warmer more laid-back sound? Do you have a budget limit on the speakers?
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Hi Jayvis! This is great news regarding a nice integrated amp. I would love to have a separate 2 channel amp with a separate preamp but I would really be stretching myself financially.

Good question about my sound preferences. I would say a detail rich sound. My music tastes are so eclectic though. My budget for speakers would be between $2500 -3k. I also want an improvement over my Definitive Technology BP 8060's where one of the built-in subs has failed. I paid a pretty penny for those speakers about 8 years ago around at around $1500 each and I would never buy speakers with a built in sub ever again as you can't place the subs in the best spot for your room. Also, because the electronics failed in one of them, that is a drag as well. With regular speakers, you wouldn't have electronics built into them if they were to fail.

hmmm looks like we are leaning towards not going ahead with the circa 2015 used Rotel amp and preamp combo for $1200 Can funds...

I will look at some nicer Integrated amps and see if I can go that way. The Cambridge CX81 look nice!

Thank You.
 
Craig2.0 said:
. Or would this not give me the performance boost I am looking for over my Yamaha RXV-685?
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The NADs are $1500 combined, and he might take less if you buy both. The amp is 150 wpc . The pre-amp has both MM & MC inputs with variable loading for the MC. Original owner, 6 years old. Lots of life left in them.
Comes with remote.

Reviews.....

http://www.audioemporium.com/daves-faves-nad-c165bee/

http://www.audioemporium.com/daves-faves-nad-c275bee/

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...er&catid=97:amplifier-measurements&Itemid=154

http://www.audioreview.com/product/amplification/amplifiers/nad/c275bee.html
 
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I don't think the PS Audio pre-amp has a phono input. Yes, it is more money+.
Looks like you're leaning towards new stuff.
 
UncleAng said:
I don't think the PS Audio pre-amp has a phono input. Yes, it is more money+.
Looks like you're leaning towards new stuff.
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Yes I am.. I have discovered that many of these places will do financing so I have decided to go the new route.
 
Craig2.0 said:
Hi Jayvis! This is great news regarding a nice integrated amp. I would love to have a separate 2 channel amp with a separate preamp but I would really be stretching myself financially.

Good question about my sound preferences. I would say a detail rich sound. My music tastes are so eclectic though. My budget for speakers would be between $2500 -3k. I also want an improvement over my Definitive Technology BP 8060's where one of the built-in subs has failed. I paid a pretty penny for those speakers about 8 years ago around at around $1500 each and I would never buy speakers with a built in sub ever again as you can't place the subs in the best spot for your room. Also, because the electronics failed in one of them, that is a drag as well. With regular speakers, you wouldn't have electronics built into them if they were to fail.

hmmm looks like we are leaning towards not going ahead with the circa 2015 used Rotel amp and preamp combo for $1200 Can funds...

I will look at some nicer Integrated amps and see if I can go that way. The Cambridge CX81 look nice!

Thank You.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the Cambridge CX81 doesn't have a phono stage input. But Cambridge does offer a couple of inexpensive separate phono preamps (Alva Solo and Alva Duo) that will connect to their integrated amps for your vinyl play. To avoid having a separate phono preamp and additional cables, and if you plan to continue to enjoy your vinyl collection, you'll need to look for integrated amps with a built-in phono stage. The Rotel RA-1572MKII has one for moving magnet cartridges that is quite good in my opinion. It's a very well-built integrated amp with ample power to drive just about any speaker you might want. Based on your stated sound preference and budget, some I'd recommend looking at are the Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G, Sonus faber Lumina III, JBL HDI-3600, Focal Chora 826, GoldenEar Triton Five, Wharfedale EVO4.3, and Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL. All of these speakers really need to be listened to before making a decision. Hopefully you have some brick-and-mortar dealers close by so you can audition some.
 
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