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Anyone into their vinyl?
We've finally moved house and I can now, after my daughter was born and rudely commandeered my den, get my records and CDs out of storage and into my new daddy den.
Beforehand I had an old sony separates style music centre but I want to get a bit more serious (but not *that* much).
Thinking of a something like...
Rega Planar 1 turntable
Q Acoustics 3020 speakers
Denon PMA720AE amp
Should come to about £600
Anyone else got a similar setup? Any advice?
My mate bought the Rega planar 3 a few months ago. Cost him about £600. He's got it connected to a Denon amp and an old pair of Rogers speakers. Now I'm not one of your audio snobs, but fair play, it sounds bloody marvellous.
Aw see, now I want a Planar 3!Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry Shitpeas
Had a Rega deck years ago, great value for money and great sound for the money. Have used a Michell gyrodeck as the heart of my system since.
Vinyl and valves are the way to go.
Dual 505-4 deck.
Rotel 930 ax amp
Richard Allen speakers
All 25 years old and still going strong.
The Rotel also links to the telly and pumps out some great sound for movies.
I'd probably pop into somewhere like Audio T on Crwys Road. Take some vinyl with you for a listen.Quote:
Originally Posted by itkman
Hah.. I'd be too scared it'd end up like this.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxQqWSnsHoAQuote:
Originally Posted by Barry Shitpeas
Think I'll stick to online reviews!
Don't do that. Audio T will often let you trial stuff at home to check it sounds OK in your house where the room is a major factor in the sound. You can also get up to 24 months interest free on kit so this might help you put together the system you want - not just what you can afford now.Quote:
Originally Posted by itkman
I've got good kit that's over 30 years old now so it's worth investing in the better stuff with HiFi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry Shitpeas
Actually, their prices for the kit I had identified are on par with what they cost elsewhere so I may well pop in and see what they recommend for my budget.Quote:
Originally Posted by Penarth Blues
Thanks guys!
Richer Sounds can be helpful with great turntables, amps,speakers.
I second this. Richer Sounds in Cardiff are excellent. Had very lengthy, and detailed discussion with one of the people in there about the difference between moving coil and moving magnet cartridges. He certainly knew his stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by life on mars
Consider the Project range of turntables, they really are very good, have excellent reviews and have quite number of models to suit all price ranges
I think Richer Sounds are OK, but Audio T will assemble your choice of system, and suggest their own within your budget, and let you listen to it - which I wasn't aware Richer Sounds did. I also think that Audio T sell better systems than Richer Sounds generally but it is all in the ears of the listener I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by neilw65
There's nothing stopping anyone trying them both... :-)
Completely agree. Audio T are excellent and I have had nothing but great service there as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Penarth Blues
I know that people sometimes knock Richer Sounds, probably because in some respects they are like the Sports Direct of the Hi FI world, and I suppose they cater for the more entry level kit, but the Cardiff branch, unlike others, have some very knowledgeable and helpful staff.
Now for high end stuff, there's always this chap, based in Aberbargoed http://www.audiodesign.co.uk :-)
Not heard of Tom Evans until now but I'm trying not to get dragged into the HiFi world too far and will stick with my all-in-one Uniti2 for now, unless the new Uniti Nova proves irresistible. As a hub for everything musical in my house the Uniti2 is stunning.Quote:
Originally Posted by neilw65
Tom Evans is very specialist, e.g. phono stage, entry level, £600 - top end £20,000Quote:
Originally Posted by Penarth Blues
It is very difficult not to get sucked into hi fi, and the quest for "improvement"
Naim stuff is very very good, I have a Naim amplifier, and the Uniti2 has a fantastic reputation
As for turntables I am a fan of Rega. Of course you can go in to the thousands on hi-fi, but the Rega RP1 is a good entry turntable. They do a 1,2 and 3 and higher. But watch out as I think the 1 & 2 prices don't include the cartridge. I've got a Rega 25 which is a mid range and is superb, I played some vinyl yesterday I'd not heard for years and it sounds superb. The other common entry level decks are made by Project.
Autio T on Crwys Road is a really good proper stereo shop and also gives good advice.
I have a Pro-Ject Debut carbon turntable, lovely bit of kit highly recommended :thumbup:
Still a fairly budget turntable a bit dearer than the Rega (£350) but the difference was noticeable to my ear.
Hooked up to an Arcam A90 amp, Arcam CD192 cd player, Denon TU-1800 Tuner, pair of Monitor Audio RS8 floorstanders & REL Q200 Quake subwoofer :music:
The neighbour loves me :thumbup:
Try not to skimp on the amp & as has been mentioned arrange a listening session if at all possible & take some vinyl with you that you know well.
Richer sounds is OK but Audio T & if you are willing to travel a little Sevonoaks in Bristol are a step up in terms both of quality of kit & knowledge.
Good luck with whatever you decide to go for.
A good quality separates system can be compiled for not much more than an all in one system but will have better sound quality.
All my set up, bar my turntable, are 10 years old now but have performed faultlessly during that time.
Sound is relative. What sounds good / decent to you may sound awful to others. If you're serious, go and have a listen if possible before you buy.
Elac Miracord 10H. I have a couple of these. Solid as a rock.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/346003183854296809/
I have a Rotel 1053 Receiver and Acoustic Research AR48 speakers.