A good friend of mine, who is tired of me whining on about the virtues of hi-fi as opposed to buying a box from John Lewis has challenged me to build him a vinyl based system for circa £600. Sure some of you know this scenario well, I could royally screw up, or come out a hero (most probably the former). He wants to play vinyl and stream, so big ask on this budget, so I have advised him to go S/H. He’s not scared of vintage gear, but wants the best sound achievable.
It’s a shame that Marantz set-up is no longer available.
Having looked at the forums/facebook/ebay here is what I am thinking;
Amplifier (ideally with built-in phono (£2-300)
Sony ES
Rega Brio
Pro-ject Box range
Marantz 6004 etc.
Vintage (Luxman on here a while back)
Turntable (£2-300)
Rega entry level
Technics 1210 or equivalent (not sure on this budget)
Pro-ject
Speakers (£2-300)
Dali Zenon
Q Concept
Vintage Spendor BC1/Rogers etc.
If anyone has gear lying around, especially speakers let me know. I’d like for him to end up with something a more left field than the usual Richer Sounds fodder, but let’s see.
Any help appreciated, or just play ‘Fantasy bargain system’ for kicks. I should add he’s in Bristol, so that may help/hinder.
if you can get a cheaper amp - rotel 930AX or similar - you could up your speaker budget which would help. 100 on an amp, 250 would get you a rega planar with bias cart or similar leaving over 600 for speakers which could get those Impulse H6s that do the rounds (which are down to 400 now, so mayb a 150 phono stage/better cart…?)
Wow, some man maths in here… 600 becomes 1000…But speakers are the thing. Cheap speakers will let it down badly.
Be honest with your friend, tell him £600 is not enough.
What will he like least? A) coughing up another £500 or B) One or several of the ‘best price’ second hand, bits of kit turns out to be a lemon?
A few Creek 4040s on the bay for £120 quid whih could be a good option. The issue might be the TT, when drek like Pioneer PL12Ds are on there for £150 quid it may take a bit of work to find something worth having.