Recommendations for amp & speakers to complement ProJect deck

ricoriffs

Hi all, my first thread here. Looks like a great community to be a part of. I would like some recommendations for an amp and speakers (I am aware there are separate sub fora on here).

I currently have a modest set up that consists of:
Pro-Ject Debut III S Audiophile deck
Pro-Ject Phono Box pre
Onkyo CR515 mini receiver
Monitor Audio Radius 90 speakers

I mainly use the above for listening to records (heavy rock & metal) but I think the smallish speakers and receiver could be replaced with something a little more purposeful. Bluetooth would be useful but not a dealbreaker. Ideally the amp would be slim (100mm max).

Reasonable sized listening area but the speakers will need to sit on a shelf either size of the TV, if that is of any use.

Budget for speakers and receiver/amp would be around £700 total. I've been looking at Cambridge Audio for amps and Monitor Audio for speakers.

TIA

Paul7777x

Do you mean 100mm high for the amp?

ricoriffs

Yes, sorry should have been a little more clear.

Paul7777x

Speaker choices are many indeed.

I’d say these were the best bargains of the day at your budget point.

£600 speakers for an unusually impressive bargain price.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Open Box - KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers - Black - Ref: 628199                                                                                                        Open Box - KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers - Black - Ref: 628199                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                petertyson.co.uk                                                                               
Same in white.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Open Box - KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers - Piano White - Ref: 628120                                                                                                        Open Box - KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers - Piano White - Ref: 628120                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                petertyson.co.uk                                                                               
The amplifier is going to be a problem.

There are not many that height, and, if you intend to put them in an enclosed space (ie, a shelf unit) then you’d need a bare minimum of two inches above the amp to keep it ventilated.

Adding this amp (87mm) to the speakers would make an impressive hifi, but only if you have the height above it for adequate ventilation.

It also has three digital inputs. One for the tv certainly, and another one could be used for an inexpensive and tiny Bluetooth add-on.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Ex Display - Arcam SA10 Integrated Amplifier - Ref: OBX345                                                                                                        Arcam SA10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                petertyson.co.uk                                                                               
The speakers and amp are £1300 worth of impressiveness.

They would also utterly blow away your current stuff.

Paul7777x

Ps, selling the MAs, the Onkyo and the phono box would make up the slight difference in price from your budget and easily leave enough for a Bluetooth and/or streaming add on.

ricoriffs

Hi Paul,

   Thank you for your recommendations. Since my OP I have been doing a little more research and have considered upping my budget slightly and have been looking at the below amps:

Cyrus One
Audiolab 6000A
Quad Vena II
Arcam SA10 (which you have mentioned).

They would all fit comfortably in the space I would like. The downside with the Cyrus is the lack of digital inputs and Bluetooth, which all the others have (Arcam doesn't have BT).

Do you have any experience with these amps?

Thanks!

MM360

I have auditioned Quad Vena II (with Quad S-2 speakers and Audiolab 6000CDT) and Audiolab 6000A (same speakers, transport and room) a week ago. Both are fine sounding amps, but I do prefer the 6000A to the Vena. There was another listener/customer in the room, so we exchanged our impressions and we easily came to the same conclusion. The Vena sounded a bit thin with some CDs which otherwise do not sound thin through my CXA60 at home. The 6000A sounded to me more "fluid" and "musical". The salesguy was quite enthusiastic about the Audiolab, too, although the two amps should have a similar price.

Audiolab 6000A with Wharfedale Evo 4.4 is another combination I liked.

I have never listened to a Cyrus or an Arcam, though.

Paul7777x

I don’t, no.

The Vena 2 gets all sorts of recommendations and it’s comes in at 94mm high, so it will fit.

So does and so will the Cyrus.

As indeed does and will the Audiolab.

It’s hard to see you being disappointed with any of the four.

They are all very modern, well thought of amplifiers.

And as they are all about the same price and therefore expected level of competence, it comes down to taste. There’s no substitute for listening if you possibly can.