Agreed, but your statement "Most integrateds and separates will have MC phono" is incorrect, I thought it might have been in error is all.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
The 600 is an awesome amp. The 600T is an equally awesome tuner. They are sadly well beyond the OP's budget.
That's the KA7300 and matching tuner, I was in no way suggesting the OP purchase them, read the post in its context.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Maybe the worst BPC does not have MC but in my experience, my statement is true. Even the slum-iest NAD integrateds that I have fooled with have MC phono.
Hifiler
Well-Known Member
Five decades and not one receiver, you must have had an uncountable amount of gear over the years!
But finding decent separates off eBay, with good synergy (both together and with the other gear), and which a priori truly are known not to need any work, would be a tall task for somebody just starting out. Help and input would be needed, but indeed are readily available here.
W
Well I've had dozens of integrated amps and zero had a MC input, including the Kenwood above you thought was a Supreme 600. Again, you're incorrect, most do not have a MC phono stage. Hell, for that matter, many of the newer integrated amps don't include any phono stage never mind MC like to the Creek mentioned.
Well I've had dozens of integrated amps and zero had a MC input, including the Kenwood above you thought was a Supreme 600. Again, you're incorrect, most do not have a MC phono stage. Hell, for that matter, many of the newer integrated amps don't include any phono stage never mind MC like to the Creek mentioned.
Last edited:
I s
I sorta fibbed, I do have a Pioneer SX 1010, the father of all monster receivers. But it was inheirited when my father in law passed away, it's stored in my closet along with a whole bunch of other gear lol.
SaSi
Seriously Illogical
I would like, if I may, offer an alternative point of view.
The Technics SU-V8 is a very good sounding integrated amplifier and a good baseline. No real need for upgrading unless speakers are first upgraded and are demanding.
Additionally, I would like to point out that moving from the 681eee to an OM5 is a downgrade in sound quality, having both of them and using them for specific reasons. The 681eee is a great cartridge for Rock/Pop/Jazz and decent for classical music (only bettered by my Ortofon MC carts). The OM5 is a cartridge I would use for 45s and worn records. But the cart (which is cheap) can be greatly improved by using an OM20 stylus which is affordable and good. The sound becomes good for classical music as well.
The Technics SU-V8 is a very good sounding integrated amplifier and a good baseline. No real need for upgrading unless speakers are first upgraded and are demanding.
Additionally, I would like to point out that moving from the 681eee to an OM5 is a downgrade in sound quality, having both of them and using them for specific reasons. The 681eee is a great cartridge for Rock/Pop/Jazz and decent for classical music (only bettered by my Ortofon MC carts). The OM5 is a cartridge I would use for 45s and worn records. But the cart (which is cheap) can be greatly improved by using an OM20 stylus which is affordable and good. The sound becomes good for classical music as well.
Drumolator
Super Member
I have an Onkyo A9050, and I really like it. It is quite versatile and sounds very good. Peace and goodwill.
MCM_Fan
AK Subscriber
The specific cartridge the OP mentioned, Ortofon OM5E, is a MM. MC capability might be a nice future proof option, but it's not a requirement.
@CDB76, I'm not sure where you are located, so I don't know what's available to you locally, but there is a used Rega Brio R for sale near me that falls within your budget range. I run a vintage Yamaha A-1000 integrated amp in my main vinyl listening rig (for those who care, it has two phono inputs, one that is switchable between MM and MC, the second is MM only), but am seriously considering the Brio R for my office system. I like the compact design, have read many glowing reviews and it has a MM phono input, which is what I run in my office system anyway.
Good luck in your search. You have obviously put some thought into this and are asking good questions. If something pops up locally, and you have some questions, don't hesitate to ask. Some of my favorite gear was acquired per chance. I didn't even know I needed it and poof, there is was. It's like it found me, not the other way around.
@CDB76, I'm not sure where you are located, so I don't know what's available to you locally, but there is a used Rega Brio R for sale near me that falls within your budget range. I run a vintage Yamaha A-1000 integrated amp in my main vinyl listening rig (for those who care, it has two phono inputs, one that is switchable between MM and MC, the second is MM only), but am seriously considering the Brio R for my office system. I like the compact design, have read many glowing reviews and it has a MM phono input, which is what I run in my office system anyway.
Good luck in your search. You have obviously put some thought into this and are asking good questions. If something pops up locally, and you have some questions, don't hesitate to ask. Some of my favorite gear was acquired per chance. I didn't even know I needed it and poof, there is was. It's like it found me, not the other way around.
I like running both... but than agina in have an audio problem so.... LOL
I would honestly stick with the SU-V8X. Not sure you're going to find anything under $500 that really bests it, assuming it's in good shape and everything works right. That's a nice amp with everything you need.
Bugetnirvana
Well-Known Member
I have less than $ 400.00 into my now restored Sansui AU 517. The subsonic phono section in any AU X17 is superb! Trust me, you want one! 
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
Grenadeslio is not the only one with a minimal receiver background. From the time of my first purchase (Fisher KX-90) in 1967 I've had only that one integrated. In 1970 I moved from the Fisher to a Dyna PAS-3 and a pair of MKIII's. It's been nothing but complete separates in my main rig since. I even use a pre/pro for HT/surround via a bypass on my two channel preamp.
I admit to having an AV receiver (first one I've ever purchased) with a 5.1 speaker setup in my bedroom for HT viewing. It's rarely used for anything other than movies and TV. For music in the bedroom I much prefer a laptop driving a USB DAC into an OTL headphone amp and planar magnetic headphones.
62vauxhall
Addicted Member
I don't know how common they are but I've seen Sansui AU-D11 II's referred to as one of the best amps Sansui made or the last great amp Sansui made. But they're reportedly overlooked and having investigated selling prices, they don't seem to command a whole lot of money.
I came upon one for embarassingly little and while listening to it, my thought was how close it sounded to the Kenwood Model 600 I used to have. And it has an MC input.
I owned a Model 600 for over 25 years so was well acquainted with it's sound quality. Can't really define it but
it was memorable. That's why I drew the comparison to that Sansui. .
I came upon one for embarassingly little and while listening to it, my thought was how close it sounded to the Kenwood Model 600 I used to have. And it has an MC input.
I owned a Model 600 for over 25 years so was well acquainted with it's sound quality. Can't really define it but
it was memorable. That's why I drew the comparison to that Sansui. .
I have less than $ 400.00 into my now restored Sansui AU 517. The subsonic phono section in any AU X17 is superb! Trust me, you want one!
Not sure the OP is looking for ventage ideas... I can sey the AU717/517 is a good option...
OP look up the Onix A-60. Kinda hard to find but seems like it would fit the bill. Sound stage will best any you mentioned...
Onix
Pioneer - PM if you want some model numbers..
Luxman - L450 or L480
out of the few you mentioned i would say go with the Rotel. Rotel has a good warm sound.
Emotiva as well, they have a few new ones out in your price range.. Look up the A-100, they have the mini and the standard.
There are way to many good options to mention...
audio analogue, and Cambridge as well...
Hifiler
Well-Known Member
Actually I'm mainly a separates/integrated guy as well, but have had five or six sundry receivers over the years. The only functional one in my house currently is a little Marantz 2010, which actually is what got me into vintage audio a while back.
The integrated vs. separates debate will never end. Of course it is possible to get amazing sound out of either. But far, far more important are speaker choice and placement. With electronics I've been all over the place, but both of my main 2-channel systems right now have integrated amps, and are sounding better than they ever have with a very large and diverse selection of separates tried over the years. For HT I am a firm believer in separated pre-processing and amplification, but many people are very happy with their AVRs.
Getting back to the OP, I think his best course of action is to go with either the Rotel or Onkyo integrated amps he is considering. Both seem to be very nice pieces, and his speakers most likely will sound similarly excellent with either. Each also gives the added option of digital audio, they both have MM phono stages, and they are relatively new (basically brand new by vintage standards).
Going to separates with his budget would limit him to vintage gear, most likely from the 80s or possibly 90s eras, but of course there are always other options. With online buying and especially eBay, you never know what you are going to get, unless you go through knowledgable and experienced sellers. But If the OP wants to go this route, there are certainly many here that will give him all the help he needs.
Last edited:
CDB76
New Member
Thank you all for the amazing information and ideas to consider. I think patience is probably my best option. Philosophically speaking, I'm also now seriously considering separates because I had this moment yesterday where I was listening to Cameron Graves' new album Planetary Prince, and I heard a slight tick due to a speck of wayward lint, which was easily removed, but as I lifted the needle I thought, man, will I ever listen to music again without obsessing over the quality of the sound? My answer, as I smiled, was probably not. :> And I was happy about it because after having experienced that elevated moment of live musical reproduction, where there's a visceral, almost precognitive understanding of the sound, like the instrument's presence is right there surrounding you, touching you, even communicating to you in way that is both aesthetically arresting and consciously expansive, I just want more and more of it. So I'm probably going to tinker with trying to enhance my listening experience seemingly forever. I guess Grenadeslio's post made sense. But, we'll see. I'm going to listen to the Rotel this weekend and the seller's fine with me bring my speakers, so I'll let you know.