antoniofhowe

Yea that Primare is really tempting, but it would have to be shipped, just as all of them would need to be.

Used makes me nervous, especially when spending this kind of cash. Maybe if I could see and hear it first it wouldn't be so bad. 

I am about to have around $1800 to play with and I think it's time to upgrade my CA Azur 351A, it's the last item from my original setup, which is now:

 

Rega RP6 w/ Ortofon 2M Black

Leema Acoustics Elements Phono

Monitor Audio Bronze BX2

 

My use of the current amp is this (in priority order):

 

Vinyl

Streaming audio through Chromecast / AppleTV

TV/Movies

 

The streaming audio and TV/Movies is done via a cheap headphone to RCA cable out of my TV into the amp... not ideal.

 

From all the research I've done I have narrowed my selections down to this list:

 

Cambridge Audio Azur 851A

NAD 375BEE

Rega Elex-R

Music Fidelity M3si

 

I am currently leaning towards the NAD 375BEE for the sole reason that I can get an addon DAC module and run a digital optical cable from my TV to the AMP. I am seriously running out of power outlet options so avoiding a standalone DAC would be preferable, however, my vinyl comes first so taking a hit on audio quality just to have the built in DAC isn't an option either.

 

Anyways, for those that have experience with the above mentioned amps, what would you do?

update:

 

I unexpectedly came across an open box Marantz 15s1 for $1k, so I pulled the trigger.

 

 not really thrilled about the open boxedness but if it winds up being sketchy, I have 60 days to return.  I figured for $500 off is worth a shot.  It puts me in a good spot to join the VPI club in a year or so without eating much of the cost, if any.

 

 

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. I was in the market for a new turntable a couple of months ago and really wanted the 15S1 but couldn't find it in Canada, went with an RP6 w/ Ortofon 2M Black instead.

How about we just keep it simple

Merica > Everyone

 

Fixed it for you:

 

Canada > Merica > Everyone else

I have an unfounded aversion to MMF products.  Not really sure where it comes from.  They just all sort of look cheap to me.  Maybe it's because so many of their tables are that gloss black.  looks like a real dust/smudge-magnet.

 

I have the same aversion. I saw an MMF in one of the hi-fi shops I frequent that was in for repairs and it just looked cheap. MMF was on my list when I was initially getting back into vinyl and when I saw that I remember thinking I was glad I didn't go that route. Ever since then I pass over anything MMF.

And to the OP... not sure what your price range is but there is a Pro-Ject RPM 1 Carbon due out soon (if it's not already released). It's in the $500 range.

I meant by 2015 he was referring to newly released gear, not that it had to be released in 2015.

 

But you knew that already.

Maybe it's just the techie in me... I'm always looking for the latest and greatest.

 

I'll give that I was wrong to say it shouldn't be referenced at all, but I still believe there are very valid recommendations of new hardware that are not listed, which I assume is why the OP specifically stated 2015.

Welcome!

 

I just wanted to comment and say you're taking the right steps and actually searching! (I cringe when I search through Instagram and to find a shit ton of UO Crosleys playing some great records ]

 

But before anyone shits on you everything you could ever ask, has been asked and can be found here made by Slinch : http://boards.vinylcollective.com/topic/88504-beginner%E2%80%99s-guide-to-turntables-hi%E2%80%93fi-read-1st-page-before-posting-new-threads-basic-questions/

 

 

I may get crapped on for this but I believe that thread is fantastic for general hardware and setup related questions, but the recommended hardware section is almost two years old now... the prices listed are no longer completely accurate and I'm sure there is new hardware that's been released since it was written that deserves to be listed. In my opinion it's not really fair to be using it as a reference for anyone specifically asking about hardware recommendations, anymore.

Ew.

 

Haha, I know, not the ideal setup but it works until I finally decide on a good integrated with a built in DAC.

Maybe I should clarify - my TV has a headphone output that I've been running to my HK. The only other option for sound output is an optical out. Its a reasonably good TV and it has four HDMI inputs, so I can hook up anything without having to swap HDMI cables. Because it only has a "headphone" output, I figured the DAC in wasn't great.

 

I've been eyeballing the Marantz PM6005 since it has both optical inputs, a phono pre-amp, and great reviews. It's also twice the price. 

 

I use something similar to this to go from my TV to my CA Azur 351A and to be honest I'm surprised at how good it sounds...

 

I'd also like to add in that when I first got my debut carbon the static was horrible, it was my first table and almost turned me off of vinyl. Within a month I switched to the acrylic platter and that definitely helped. A few other things to try:

 

- Before putting it on the platter run your hand around the edge of record, this can help dissipate built up static

 

- Double check your VTF and anti-skate... I'm assuming you're running the Ortofon 2M red cartridge? I ran mine at 1.9g and the anti-skate on the middle notch.

 

- Invest in a VTF gauge, even if it's just one of the cheap plastic type. Obviously a good digital would be better but then you're looking at $100+

 

- Double check the cartridge alignment, even though mine was factory fit I found a noticeable sound improvement after re-aligning it myself using a Baerwald "stupid" protractor from Vinyl engine. Do some research before attempting this, it can be very confusing and frustrating and don't be impatient or you risk damaging your stylus (voice of experience unfortunately).

 

- Make sure the turntable is as close to level as possible! Do this by removing the felt mat and putting a 12" (or similar) level on the platter. Check side to side and then front to back. Make adjustments and re-check.

 

- Next time you're out shopping pickup a Mr. Clean magic eraser pad. Great for stylus maintenance (Google it)

There's nothing really wrong with the 551 but if you were going up from there the 651 is a step up that offers MC as well.

 

Other than that and as a preference I'd go Musical Fidelity or possibly Rega.

 

I'm thinking long term investment so I've got my eye on the Graham Slee Era Gold MK V MM... after yesterday it'll be a little while before I can pick that up though

Rega RP6 with Ortofon 2M Black... quite possible heypeterman is who sold it to me, and did the complete setup as well

 

I am very happy with it! This was an upgrade from a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with the 2M Blue. Next will be the phono-pre for sure, currently running a Cambridge Azur 551P.

I just threw on my 2M Red out of curiosity and yea, it's the same as yours. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

My 2M Blue runs really low like that too, I'm running it at 2g... I read somewhere it's normal for Ortofon 2M cartridges.

Well I've been eyeing the Bellari VP-530 and the Pro-Ject Tube Box S so my budget is somewhat high. I'd like to find something with a headphone out because I currently run my headphones through my amp but I can't help thinking it would be good to cutout the middleman.

 

I'm a little hesitant on the tube ones though because I've never heard them and don't quite understand what they do.

Just tell visitors it's a vintage art deco piece until you find another use for it

Just put the slipmat back on to clean the record real quick?

 

I could, but then I'd have to have the slip mat handy all the time and that doesn't work for me...besides, I bought the platter so I could get rid of the mat.

@PTECH,

 

I did a little playing around swapping the Red and Blue needles this evening and while I definitely notice a difference with the Blue (cleaner sound is the term that comes to mind) I'm not entirely sure the improved sound was worth the $225. I'm more convinced now that I should have jumped and gone with the Bronze.

 

Of course, it's definitely possible that the potential of the Blue is being held back by something else in the chain. The pre-amp I'm running (Cambridge Audio Azure 551P) seems to be fairly entry level, and I am also still running the stock RCA / ground cable from the TT to the pre-amp. Both of these I hope to upgrade this weekend...

 

If anyone has advice on a pre-amp that would pair nicely with my setup I'd love to hear it!

 

Pro-ject Debut Carbon TT

Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge

Cambridge Audio Azure 551P (Pre-Amp) <-- This is what I want to replace 

Cambridge Audio Azure 351A (Integrated Amp)

Monitor Audio Bronze B2 (Bookshelf Speakers) 

I like the look and it's great not having to deal with the felt mat, but I can't say I experienced a sound improvement like some claim. Static is definitely less but not non-existent. It also introduced a new problem in that using the anti-static brush on some LP's that aren't 100% flat cause the record to stop rotating while the platter continues to rotate... it makes me cringe to think there could be something grinding into the underside of the record when that happens. For the record (no pun intended) it happens when just holding the brush on the vinyl (not adding pressure).

Yes, I am. Bass took a little while to come in but the mids and highs were definitely cleaner right away. I do wonder if I should have skipped the Blue and gone straight to the Bronze though... too late now!

 

If you do go with the 2M Blue (and currently have the 2M Red), then you only need to get the needle (slightly cheaper) because the 2M Red and 2M Blue use the same cartridge. The 2M Bronze/Black cartridge is different though.

 

If you go with the bronze or do not currently have the red be VERY careful taking the tone-arm wires off the cartridge, I unfortunately didn't know that little bit about the cartridges being the same at the time I upgraded and replaced the whole thing... broke one of the tiny wires at the connector and had to get the soldering kit out. What should have been a 3 second job ended up taking 3 hours after the soldering and cartridge alignment.

I grabbed some 24" speaker stands this morning (the ones in the pic are 36"). What a difference! I haven't been able to pull myself away from my listening spot for hours.

Setup complete! Getting the placement just right took awhile since they are physically smaller than the Polk's. They sound great though, bass is perfect and Norah's voice sounds amazing!