[AudioSardine]

Hi all...this is my first post around here, so take it easy

I just received a Rega-P1 for Christmas. I've been wanting to get into vinyl for some time and have been researching turntables and found that this one seemed to be a great affordable entry level turntable...and wouldn't you know, it showed up under the tree this year. In order to build a system, I'm now looking for a good receiver, with or without a phono preamp. I currently have my eye on the Outlaw RR2150. It seems to get great reviews and has the phono input. Only problem is that it's slightly out of my price range. Can anyone recommend a good receiver to go with my new turntable? I'd be happy to have recommendations of receivers with or without phono inputs.

Thanks so much!

 

[Headdie]

I'm very happy with a NAD C720 BEE. You can find it around $300 shipped.

 

[AudioSardine]

Thank you for the recommendation! Looking around, it seems to be pretty well reviewed and in the same general class as the Outlaw.

Anyone have additional recs?

 

[juniperlater]

Marantz PM7001 is pretty good and can be had for as low $150 if you are REALLY lucky (check ebay completed items if you don't believe me!).

 

[Pricklely Peete]

What's your budget ?

You can get far better bang for your limited buck by looking at used gear (not receivers but integrated or separate preamp and amp combos with or w/o built in phono amps). In general I view receivers as a jack of all trades but a master of none (and that includes the really expensive big person boat anchors) with very limited abilities outside of the MC HT environment.

Peete.

 

[AudioSardine]

Juniper...Thanks for the Marantz recommendation. It looks like people have a lot of good things to say about the company and definitely that receiver. I'm not finding the cheap prices on it yet, but it's definitely on my radar.

Peete...I'm looking to spend $500 total for both the phono preamp and receiver or the combination of the two. I would love to hear more about buying "not receivers but integrated or separate preamp and amp combos with or w/o built in phono amps." Can you point me to some info about this, or enlighten me yourself?

Thanks again for all of the help! I'm dreaming of the day of hearing some beautiful vinyl!

 

[ngower]

I just got my NAD C326BEE per recommendations from this site. It makes music sound like music, doesn't jump the bass to ridiculous levels or add anything...music just is. It sounds like a vague statement but with my budget system, the flaws it would have aren't noticeable.

I got mine for $450 new, you could find it cheaper used (if you can find one, it's pretty new, the 325BEE would probably be an easier find).

 

[AudioSardine]

Thanks ngower! That looks good and is fairly cheap! Again...I'm a bit dense; that is a stereo integrated amplifier, which is different from a receiver. What exactly is this difference?

 

[juniperlater]

^ It doesn't have a built-in fm tuner.

 

[AudioSardine]

Wow...that's it, eh? I thought it would be a bit more involved. So, is it generally cheaper to get a integrated amplifier and then just add the tuner if needed?

 

[juniperlater]

Not necessarily, but you have the opportunity to have a VERY good tuner instead of an okay tuner that comes with most receivers.

 

[AudioSardine]

Thanks Juniper...that information really opens up my search.

Anyone have thoughts about this: AudiogoN ForSale: Outlaw 1070

 

[estreeter]

I would generally support the 'get an amp instead of a receiver' stance every time, but if you come across one of these at the right price, I can highly recommend the sound based on a brief audition last weekend:

Hifi Gear ~ ~ Marantz SR5023 stereo receiver

Having heard it alongside the PM6003, a highly regarded Marantz amp. I was very impressed with the grunt and musicality of both units : warm and involving. I particularly like the smaller form factor on the receiver, but Marantz seems to have the same RRP on both units here : I'm betting that you can do a lot better in your neck of the woods.

(dont know how good the FM tuner is - not really my priority atm).

 

[AudioSardine]

Thanks for the rec estreeter. It seems that is only sold in the UK; otherwise, it looks great!

 

[estreeter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioSardine /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the rec estreeter. It seems that is only sold in the UK; otherwise, it looks great!

Its on sale here in Oz via the local distributor, but it does strike me as something of an oddity in today's market : somewhere between the all-in-one CR503 and Marantz's dedicated amps. As I said, the main problem for mine is simply that they havent gone to any great lengths to differentiate on price - other than the addition of an FM tuner, I'm not sure why anyone would opt for the receiver over the much vaunted PM6003.