Amp+Speakers advice

Andriko

Hi all,

I have been doing some research and think I have an idea of a set up but would like some advise if the expense would make a difference to justify the cost -

I have an AT-LP5, and am thinking:

-Cambridge Duo Pre-Amp
-Onkyo A-9010 or Cambridge AXA25 Amp
-speakers, I don’t know, but something not too expensive, about £200.

Would that be an acceptable combination (and would it actually work without needing anything else?!), and would the amp speakers be better to get first or the pre-amp (I intend to put this together slowly)?

I am currently plugged straight into Edifier R1280DBs.

Thanks for the help,

A

Paul7777x

The TT already has a line out (therefore a turntable ‘preamp’ built in).

Therefore you only need an amp and speakers.

There’s no real way to do it piecemeal except to buy one at a time and use the Edifiers until you have both.

However, in this instance, I’d buy the amp first simply because these are so inexpensive. £400 new.

The SR20 has a good phono stage and three digital inputs should you ever decide to add your tv and or streaming to your hifi.

A splendid bargain.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Cambridge Audio Topaz SR20 Stereo Receiver (Black) - Refurbished 813371020887 | eBay                                                                                                        This is a refurbished previously owned and loved Cambridge product which has been expertly repaired. POWERFUL DIGITAL STEREO RECEIVER. RADIO FUNCTION. FM/AM (EU and US bands), 30 presets Radio Data System (RDS) for FM Stations.                                                                                                                                                                                                        www.ebay.co.uk                                                                               
These are refurbed but with a proper warranty.

As for speakers, at the moment it’s hard to get past these Kefs.

Again, a silly bargain. £600 new and very well reviewed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Open Box - KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers - Black - Ref: 628199                                                                                                        Open Box - KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers - Black - Ref: 628199                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                petertyson.co.uk                                                                               
Also in white for the same price.

That’s a thousand pounds worth of some real hifi there, for £430. I guessed about that for your budget.

Andriko

Thanks Paul, I will investigate them properly when I get a chance.

However, two rookie questions remain;

What is the difference between a stereo receiver (as above) and an Amp? Do I ultimately need both, or is one on it’s own fine?

Secondly, regarding the pre amp, I regularly read that it makes a noticeable difference even over built in phono stages, is that the case or is it not such an improvement for the LP5 to be worth it?

Thanks again,

A

Paul7777x

A receiver is simply an amplifier with a built in radio.

As for the phono stage, that’s more tricky...

Certainly when you’re spending serious money on cartridges (and the TT in the first place) then separate phono stages start to make sense.

And even in relatively budget set ups I imagine a good one could well make some sense.

But with the one built into the TT and the Cambridge Audio built in one you have two to test out at least... and Cambridge Audio are no slouches when it comes to phono stages.

But I’d certainly work on getting the amp and speakers right, before I considered upgrading the phono stage.

The speakers, then the amp that drives them are more important to the eventual sound.

Andriko

Great, thanks for the advice!