darko Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I am purchasing a Rega P1 and was wondering what you all recommend I use for a pre amp. I can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a pre amp, and unfortunately the system I am using it with (Tivoli Model 2 radio) doesn't have a phono stage. I guess the most I would spend on the pre amp would be $150 - if it's even necessary to spend that much. As you guys might be able to tell, I'm pretty new to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniethebear Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Here we go again... Just wait 'til Jeff sees this, haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 The Rega P1 is a sweet record player. I would NOT cheap out and get a $30 pre-amp. These are very important to the sound of the player. In your budget the Pro-ject Phono Box is worth a look. http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-MM-MC-Phono-Preamplifier?sc=2&category=401 However, if you don't mind spending a bit more you can get a Bellari VP129 for $180-ish used (check ebay or audiogon.com). http://www.needledoctor.com/Bellari-VP129-Tube-Phono-Preamp?sc=2&category=401 I would then consider buying a better speaker and amp setup. Why hook up a nice turntable to a bunch of shitty components? Its equivalent to putting chrome wheels on a cheap ass car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Here we go again... Just wait 'til Jeff sees this, haha. We have had pre-amp threads, but never by anyone willing to buy something more than the very bottom of the barrel. Most people want the cheapest one possible, this guy wants to spend $150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darko Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Primarily it's space and cost considerations. I don't really have the shelf space in my current bedroom for large bookshelf speakers or a normal sized amplifier. And don't really have the $$$ right now to afford much more than what I'll be spending on the Rega and the pre-amp, so I'm going to have to build my system piecemeal, and make do with the tivoli system which I am borrowing/stealing from my bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 You don't have to buy it all at once, but if you're willing to make these upgrades in the future then you're set. However, if you know you won't make the upgrades later, then just get the cheapest pre-amp you can. BTW, you can buy wall-mounted speaker/component shelves to save space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darko Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Just want to emphasize that I said the *most* I would spend on a pre-amp would be $150. I really don't want to spend that much, but would be willing to if it's going to make a significant difference in the quality of the output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counterfiction Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 i've got a phono pre-amp that's still sealed in the box if you're interested. it won't dazzle you with crystal clear sound but it won't shit out static either. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Microphono-PP400-Phono-Preamp?sku=187200 let me know if you (or anyone else) wants to take it off my hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniethebear Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Sorry, I wasn't trying to be a dick or anything. I just think we need some kind of definitive "audio gear/recommendations" thread that all these types of questions can be incorporated into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counterfiction Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 might want to make it into its own forum. just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniethebear Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 might want to make it into its own forum.just a thought. That actually isn't a bad idea either, but a lot of people bitched and moaned at the thought of more than three before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counterfiction Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 might want to make it into its own forum.just a thought. That actually isn't a bad idea either, but a lot of people bitched and moaned at the thought of more than three before. wah. i think it would help out a LOT to have all the audio/technical questions in one place instead of where they don't belong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniethebear Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 That actually isn't a bad idea either, but a lot of people bitched and moaned at the thought of more than three before. wah. i think it would help out a LOT to have all the audio/technical questions in one place instead of where they don't belong. Oh I totally agree. I wasn't one of the whiners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perk900 Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 A Gear Thread would be a good idea. As for a recommendation, i suggest the Sumiko Pro-Ject as well, but i would consider this model. http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/products/phonobox_2_usb.htm Its the same quality Pre-Amp but it has an USB out. I've been coveting that and this http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/products/rm5.htm for a while now. Come the new year they will be mine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Just want to emphasize that I said the *most* I would spend on a pre-amp would be $150. I really don't want to spend that much, but would be willing to if it's going to make a significant difference in the quality of the output. Well, like I said, if you're not going to upgrade anything else later on, then just get a cheap pre-amp. And honestly, if you're going to do that, then just get a cheap turntable, because its not going to matter at that point. A nice turntable with shitty speakers and amps is like putting a Mercedes in your driveway when you live in the trailer park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darko Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 A nice turntable with shitty speakers and amps is like putting a Mercedes in your driveway when you live in the trailer park. Yeah but what if it's a trailer park in a nice part of town??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vito Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 would you recommend buying a turntable with an integrated pre-amp or separate? i'm still on the market for a new player. what i'm pretty sure i've decided on is the Project Debut http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Turntables-Debut-III-Basic-Black?sc=2&category=352 and this pre-amp http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-MM-MC-Phono-Preamplifier?sc=2&category=401 mentioned earlier. i can't really afford much more right now, as i might need new speakers as well. is it a decent way to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 would you recommend buying a turntable with an integrated pre-amp or separate? i'm still on the market for a new player. what i'm pretty sure i've decided on is the Project Debut http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Turntables-Debut-III-Basic-Black?sc=2&category=352 and this pre-amp http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-MM-MC-Phono-Preamplifier?sc=2&category=401 mentioned earlier. i can't really afford much more right now, as i might need new speakers as well. is it a decent way to go? Most definitely seperate components. The Pro-ject is a good entry level turntable and that Pro-ject preamp should be pretty good as well (I do know the Pro-ject Tube Box is really good, although much more expensive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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