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Recommended receiver with Rega p3?

T

thebigbeat90

New Member
Hey all,
I recently acquired a new model Rega p3 with elys cart.
Currently I have a 70's pioneer sx535, good receiver, but i think might be holding the power of the TT back a bit? Anyone have recommendations for receivers that go well with regas?
 
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What do you mean I have a 70's pioneer sx535, good receiver, but i think might be holding the power of the TT back a bit?

The receiver takes the phono signal and amplifies it and then amplifies it again to power speakers. It is really a collection of gear that creates the sound you hear.

Be best to tell us what speakers you have and what deficiencies you would like to correct. Otherwise, I'd recommend some nice separate components as they are frequently much better than receivers and have power (usually) to make speakers play louder or have more headroom if played are more moderate volumes.

But I don't know what improvements you are looking for or what problems you hear with what you have. There are ways to improve.
 
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Not being a long time "audiophile" but my understanding is , the first option should be to try a decent phono pre amp in-between your current receiver/integrated amplifier. Before replacing the whole power unit.

There are a few newer integrated amps and pre-amp that have acceptable phono stages but few and far in-between....

The parasound new classic preamplifier, basically uses there zphono as the phono stage..so it's a good option...

The nad cbee pre amp has a nice phono pre-amp...

The technics g700 I think it's called has a good phonon.

And lastly the yamah 1200.

I'm also in the market for a new system and those are my short list of best phono options in setup outside of a separate phono pre amp.
 
Blue Shadow said:
What do you mean I have a 70's pioneer sx535, good receiver, but i think might be holding the power of the TT back a bit?

The receiver takes the phono signal and amplifies it and then amplifies it again to power speakers. It is really a collection of gear that creates the sound you hear.

Be best to tell us what speakers you have and what deficiencies you would like to correct. Otherwise, I'd recommend some nice separate components as they are frequently much better than receivers and have power (usually) to make speakers play louder of have more headroom if played are more moderate volumes.

But I don't know what improvements you are looking for or what problems you hear with what you have. There are ways to improve.
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Thank you for your explanation. The speakers I have are vintage Pioneer CS-88a, great speakers. I guess what i feel is sometimes missing is punchiness/power on the low end. I mainly collect jazz records and im aiming to feel like an upright bass is in my living room. The rega p3 is on its way and im hoping itll get me a little closer to my goal, and hoping that the synergy between the components works well. I was previously using a technics sl-3200 with ortofon blue. It all sounded good, but like i said, it felt like some punchiness was missing.
 
The SX is from the blue light era of Pioneer and those receivers have a smoother more refined sound than the later ones which some say don't sound as good with a crisper sound to them. If the receiver is not refreshed it may be suffering from older caps which can mellow the sound even more. I don't know the bass profile of the 535 but if its power supply caps, the big ones are tired that will sap some oomph from the sound.

The speakers should respond to power as they are fairly sensitive, playing louder with a 1-watt input than less sensitive speakers. This means a lower power unit will make them play nicely. Their sensitivity is 102dB with a 1-watt input. Many sealed box speakers are closer to 90dB a lot less.

A friend has had a few pairs of Pioneer speakers, the 99 and 77 at least, maybe more don't know if the a version but he gets them recapped and this brings back the original sound of the higher frequencies...not the bass response you are wanting to have more punch. I'm not a serial recapper like many here on ak but have done a couple of the many pair of speakers I own and a few components. No reason to is you think things are working properly.

I would try to find a friend with a different amp and swap for a week or so or just have him bring it over and give it a listen to see if you need a different sound from the amp in the rig.
 
Blue Shadow said:
The SX is from the blue light era of Pioneer and those receivers have a smoother more refined sound than the later ones which some say don't sound as good with a crisper sound to them. If the receiver is not refreshed it may be suffering from older caps which can mellow the sound even more. I don't know the bass profile of the 535 but if its power supply caps, the big ones are tired that will sap some oomph from the sound.

The speakers should respond to power as they are fairly sensitive, playing louder with a 1-watt input than less sensitive speakers. This means a lower power unit will make them play nicely. Their sensitivity is 102dB with a 1-watt input. Many sealed box speakers are closer to 90dB a lot less.

A friend has had a few pairs of Pioneer speakers, the 99 and 77 at least, maybe more don't know if the a version but he gets them recapped and this brings back the original sound of the higher frequencies...not the bass response you are wanting to have more punch. I'm not a serial recapper like many here on ak but have done a couple of the many pair of speakers I own and a few components. No reason to is you think things are working properly.

I would try to find a friend with a different amp and swap for a week or so or just have him bring it over and give it a listen to see if you need a different sound from the amp in the rig.
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excellent. will do. thank you!!
 
What would you say are the typical sound qualities of a marantz receiver?
Ive been intrigued by them for a long time and have heard many great things
 
thebigbeat90 said:
Im sorry im not sure what you mean by this
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I mean for the cost of receivers at the moment, you could get a much better integrated, or separates. They sound better because there is less electronics put into one case, powered by the same PSU. A separate preamp would also give you a better phono stage options.
 
It is not likely that the phono section is the culprit. Yes, the OP can get a better phono stage and improve his sound quality, but I would guess that it is his speakers which are lacking.

And, unfortunately, he may find that speakers which have the sound he is looking for will be of much lower sensitivity, demanding more power than his receiver can deliver, depending upon how loud he wants to be able to listen.

One other thought; the Elys cartridge is a step in the wrong direction if the OP is looking for a punchier, more lively sound. The Elys has a warmer, darker. more recessed and less detailed sound.

On the upside, he has a 2M Blue, which will match quite well to the Rega, and is likely to sound different/better on the Rega than it did on his Technics table.

While I'm not precisely clear on what the OP means by "punchiness", it may be that a powered subwoofer would at least help get the sound he is looking for.
 
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AudioAvarice said:
Why focus on receivers ? If you really are looking for the best sound, integrateds, or separates are the way to go.
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thebigbeat90 said:
Im sorry im not sure what you mean by this
Click to expand...

Integrated amps are 2 things under the hood, Power and Pre amp.

Think of the Pre as a control center that you would use to select your sources (TT, Tape, etc)

Seperates are separate items one could/can buy individually such as a Power amp, a Preamp and Tuner one could also buy a Phono Preamp. Some folks swear buy separates and the ability to mix and match to dial in and acquire the sound they feel is best for their ears.

Other's not so much for various reasons (rack stands or lack thereof, simplicity of an all in one unit etc)

A Receiver is one unit combining a Power amp, a Preamp and Tuner all under the same hood in one unit. Convenient and it does not take up a lot of space.
 
thebigbeat90 said:
Currently I have a 70's pioneer sx535,
Click to expand...

thebigbeat90 said:
,, The speakers I have are vintage Pioneer CS-88a, great speakers. I guess what i feel is sometimes missing is punchiness/power on the low end.
Click to expand...

Speaker placement can affect low end so maybe try and move them forward or backwards and see if you notice any differences

spark1 said:
.. I would guess that it is his speakers which are lacking.
Click to expand...

Fwiw I've read few comments in other threads that owners felt they were lacking in Bass.
 
Dswankey said:
Integrated amps are 2 things under the hood, Power and Pre amp.

Think of the Pre as a control center that you would use to select your sources (TT, Tape, etc)

Seperates are separate items one could/can buy individually such as a Power amp, a Preamp and Tuner one could also buy a Phono Preamp. Some folks swear buy separates and the ability to mix and match to dial in and acquire the sound they feel is best for their ears.

Other's not so much for various reasons (rack stands or lack thereof, simplicity of an all in one unit etc)

A Receiver is one unit combining a Power amp, a Preamp and Tuner all under the same hood in one unit. Convenient and it does not take up a lot of space.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for explanation this
 
Pic 1 is a receiver:. Amp, preamp, and tuner all in one box, sounds ok...
Pic 2 is all separates: two 300 watt power amps (one for each speaker), preamp, tuner, cd, phono preamp, and Rega P3 turntable... sound is incredible, but the cost is 15 to 20 times more !

TX-4500 MK II _1513.jpg living room stereo 1-20-22.jpg
 
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