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I'm clueless and want to buy some good gear, help?

Why don't you just get a receiver? You can plug everything into that or an integrated amp,if you don't want to listen to the radio.If you get a receiver you'll be able to power speakers if you want to get a pair of small ones.
 
I can't answer that. Prices for Rega TT's are lower in GB than in the US. Also, the price depends on the cartridge (if equipped) and the condition.

I'm not a SL1200 fan so I would opt for a Rega anyway. That a large percentage of SL1200's have been thrashed by DJ's or wanna' be's is something to consider with any used SL1200.
 
If you use Ebay UK you can find plenty of vintage Technics integrated amplifiers that would suit your needs well. Later you could use them with speakers if you decided to go that way. And the integrated amplifier has the phono preamp built in.
 
OP, just out of idle curiosity, how were you planning to connect the CD player to either of the HRT DACs you mention in your earlier post ? ;)

All levity aside, the suggestions given earlier make a lot more sense than hooking an external DAC to a CDP/CDT : you will only be making your life more complex/expensive than it has to be. USB DACs are for use with computers (ok, and the iPad..) - if you dont need an SUV to get across town, my advice is to avoid visiting that dealership.
 
estreeter said:
OP, just out of idle curiosity, how were you planning to connect the CD player to either of the HRT DACs you mention in your earlier post ? ;)

All levity aside, the suggestions given earlier make a lot more sense than hooking an external DAC to a CDP/CDT : you will only be making your life more complex/expensive than it has to be. USB DACs are for use with computers (ok, and the iPad..) - if you dont need an SUV to get across town, my advice is to avoid visiting that dealership.
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I really don't know to be honest. The CD player I'm thinking of getting, the Marantz 6004 has a built in DAC, so maybe I should just go for a headphone amp?
 
Sorry Throsh, I guess I misunderstood your budget figures. I thought since you were not looking at a stand alone DAC any longer, you could put the funds towards the £326 Woo amp.

Enjoy your audio journey,

Rob
 
Robinhawaii said:
Sorry Throsh, I guess I misunderstood your budget figures. I thought since you were not looking at a stand alone DAC any longer, you could put the funds towards the £326 Woo amp.

Enjoy your audio journey,

Rob
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Thank you, if I get kept on full time, I'll be able to get that amp for sure.
 
The NAD phono preamp is a good sounding economical one - perhaps you can hunt one down on ebay UK. The Denon I posted earlier is a CD receiver, which takes care of:

CD player (pretty good one at that)
Headphone amp (not bad either)
Speakers amp (in case you want to add loud speakers later - when you want to
take a break from the Grados to save your hearing)
Also it's small, so saves space
Very affordable

You just need to add a phono preamp like the NAD one we disceussed and you are all set.

Just wanted to clearify.

Hope you find a satisfying system...
 
2DualsNotEnough said:
Lets make it simple.How about this Yamaha integrated amp for just at 200 quid?It even comes with a phono preamp.I have an amp in this series,and I think it is just terriffic.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-AS30...UOKM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1354794172&sr=8-3

Or the next one up on the food chain for just a little more.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-AS50...UOKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354794172&sr=8-1
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That second one has some excellent reviews, do you think it would go well with a Marantz CD4600? and would this remove the need for a headphone amp?
 
Bottom dollar:
Sherwood RX-4109 receiver, it has a phono input for that turntable. AM/FM, Tape loop and a CD input. Also an aux input that can be used as a tape loop. Headphone jack.

$100

Good CD players are expensive these days. You could use a DVD/CD player that you can get for less than $100.

Good luck!
 
Considering your space issue, I respectfully disagree with many who suggest you get a receiver, beause you don't need an amp section since you don't have speakers. If you want an integrated solution, just get a preamp with the features you need: a phono section, a headphone jack, and the ability to switch between at least two sources (tt and cd).

Use your Bluray player for CD's and decide later if you want to upgrade that section. This frees up your budget to concentrate on the turntable and preamp . . . and maybe upgraded headphones if that's still on your radar. A good preamp is a nice way to start. This would probably be at the tip top of your (concentrated) budget:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-2596-nad-c165bee-stereo-preamplifier.aspx

As you can see, it has all you need. Just get your turntable going, and you already have everything else. Browse similar products and zero in on your preference. I think this route would be much simpler. Concentrating your budget in that Technics and a preamp would enable you to buy a preamp you could get all giddy about, and that's part of the fun. :)
 
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if it hasnt been mentioned yet a good resource for headsets and gear can be found here

http://www.head-fi.org/

IMHO your current Grados should serve you fine check on the head-fi site for upgrades that can improve the sound, I think an AKer posted some info if you do a search. Good Luck!
 
I just ordered the Marantz CD6004 CD player, and I plan to order the Techncis sl1200 mk2 and maybe the Bravo Audio Ocean headphone amp with my next paycheck. I can't wait until my CD player gets here!
 
robgmn said:
Just for sh*ts and giggles, you could buy a Chinese-made tube heaphone amp.
I'm waiting for one as there have been some good reviews on them (bang for the buck) and I always like a new gadget (I barely ever use headphones, but what the hell...)

sku_147151_1.jpg
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Who makes that little jewel? Enquiring minds, etc...
 
I'm sorry about bumping this, but surely it's better than making a new thread, right?

I received my Technics SL1200 MK2 yesterday, it doesn't have a cartridge but I pretty much know what to get so that's no big deal. I was just wondering, would a NAD 3020 be a good choice to plug my TT and Marantz CD6004 into? they're pretty well priced used, and I've heard great things about them, it also bypasses the need to buy a separate phono preamp which I like.
 
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