Looking for a good 2 channel match for Focal 707s

[Fosmosis]

Im putting together a two channel, strictly music setup. I want to play vinyl as well as some aux. Currently I have a pro ject turntable hooked up to a pair of klipsch kg1s, pioneer 747, and a mirage sub. I have upgraded the speakers to the Focal 707s and am now looking to upgrade the amp. Any experience with the Focals and advice on a good phono amp to get the most out of them. I will be using the mirage sub for the low stuff. Looking forward to your suggestions

 

[lovinthehd]

You want an external phono stage or a completely different receiver or integrated amp? You just got the Pioneer, didn't you? Just heard the Focals and decided to change everything?

 

[Fosmosis]

Haha...yup. the old Klipsch were not cutting it. Now that the speakers upgraded its time to sell off the Pioneer and find a new integrated. I am open to a good phono stage but im feeling like an overhaul is necessary

 

[lovinthehd]

Lots of old gear doesn't cut it any more . The choices in new integrated amps tends to be fairly expensive for the feature set IMO. What's your budget?

 

[Fosmosis]

Yeah, vintage is good in spirit but the focal are a different beast. I'm looking around $1500. I saw some advice for creek or arcam gear

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd get better speakers before spending that much on an amp. Speakers are where the good audio is, not in overspending on an amp.

 

[Fosmosis]

What would you recommend for a solid two channel phono system?

 

[lovinthehd]

I wouldn't particularly. I barely use my tt/vinyl, except for a session of nostalgia once in a while. Your Pioneer should do fine until you upgrade your speakers.

ps Something with bass management for your sub and/or room eq might be interesting, tho.

 

[Fosmosis]

The Focals are the upgrade? Are you not a fan of their bookshelf offerings?

 

[lovinthehd]

The Focals are the upgrade? Are you not a fan of their bookshelf offerings?

Focals are okay, but I wouldn't buy a $1500 amp for them. Maybe $200.

 

[Fosmosis]

So let the Pioneer do its thing until I upgrade from the focals? Do you think an external phono stage would be worth it?

 

[lovinthehd]

So let the Pioneer do its thing until I upgrade from the focals? Do you think an external phono stage would be worth it?

I'd just use the Pioneer, its phono stage should be fine. What cartridge do you use?

 

[Fosmosis]

Ortofon 2m red

 

[lovinthehd]

That's a decent cartridge. Like speakers, a cartridge is another type of transducer and are more likely areas of sonic improvements generally. What's wrong with the sound now, what is it you're specifically trying to achieve?

 

[Fosmosis]

I'm looking for a more detail and a larger soundstage with new equipment. The Pioneer isn't bad, but it'd pretty dated

 

[lovinthehd]

Detail and soundstage are functions of the recording and the speakers (and the setup of those speakers in your room).

 

[Fosmosis]

I'll continue to play around with the placement and hopefully can get these new speakers to sing

 

[lovinthehd]

Sometimes when you read of people wanting to make their speakers "sing" its simply a preference for an amp can get them louder (i.e. a more powerful amp). Looking back you spoke of a Pioneer 737, but you mention 747 now....do you have the quad receiver?

 

[Fosmosis]

Typo on my end...it's the 737

 

[lovinthehd]

Not exactly the most powerful amp section in that receiver, but many units of that era were of modest power output. If you're going to get an amp I'd get a truly powerful amp, at least 200 wpc and one more capable of lower impedance loads like 2 or 4 ohm so you can use pretty much any speaker with it. I'd probably do that in the form of a power amp, and get a separate pre-amp to work with it, rather than try to find such in a receiver or integrated amp.