What amp should I get for my Kenwood DP-R891 CD Player that was gifted to me?

[jwinds]

Hello, I am new to the audio world. My friend just gave me Kenwood DP-R891. Made in Feb. 1991. What do I need to run it? I'm assuming an amplifier, and some speakers, but I don't even know where to start. Any recommendations? I'd love to build a A/V rack that I can put this in for my future home theatre. Any thoughts?

 

[lovinthehd]

Before you buy stuff for an old cd changer, are you sure it is worth basing a system on? Is it running well? Do you have a lot of cds to play? These days all I do is rip my cds to a drive and play it from there, the optical disc players I have are more for video and specialized discs (blurays, dvds, sacds, dvd-audio, etc.).

Yes generally you need something in the way of amplification and speakers (or they can be powered speakers). You mention you want to combine it with video, so an avr (audio video receiver) is possibly another thought. What would the video be....an old tv or latest tech?

How about a budget?

 

[jwinds]

Yes the CD player is in mint condition. been in a box since 1992. And yes, I have lots of CD's. Can I use a modern amplifier? Any suggestions? All I have in the back of the CD player is red/white left/right audio jack. Hmmm powered speakers seems interesting. Can I red/white cable plug directly into the speakers?

 

[lovinthehd]

Have you tested it, tho? Some parts do age in 30 years. The analog output can be used with a variety of gear, including powered speakers. How much do you want to spend?

 

[jwinds]

Yes, tested working just fine. Budget is under $700 if possible.

 

[lovinthehd]

Something like these might be interesting https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/kali-audio-lp-8

If you want other sources to play thru the system other than cds, you might think about a receiver and some passive speakers. With speakers like the Kali and just using the cd changer there would also be limited volume control access compared say to using a receiver with a remote or similar. Somewhat depends on your overall use and what other gear you might want to use it with (like a tv, or record player, or streamer, etc).

 

[jwinds]

Something like these might be interesting https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/kali-audio-lp-8

If you want other sources to play thru the system other than cds, you might think about a receiver and some passive speakers. With speakers like the Kali and just using the cd changer there would also be limited volume control access compared say to using a receiver with a remote or similar. Somewhat depends on your overall use and what other gear you might want to use it with (like a tv, or record player, or streamer, etc).

For now I just want to play music from CD's. Given that..... what receiver would you recommend along with this cd player?

 

[TLS Guy]

For now I just want to play music from CD's. Given that..... what receiver would you recommend along with this cd player?

If you want to just play CDs, I would not recommend a receiver. You will not buy a receiver and decent speakers for $700.00

I think those Kali speakers are a good idea. Sweetwater have them on special a the moment.

Then you can add this preamp to control the rig.

That way you will come out only slightly above budget, and have a nice reliable system.

 

[lovinthehd]

If you want to just play CDs, I would not recommend a receiver. You will not buy a receiver and decent speakers for $700.00

I think those Kali speakers are a good idea. Sweetwater have them on special a the moment.

Then you can add this preamp to control the rig.

That way you will come out only slightly above budget, and have a nice reliable system.

There are line outs but no pre-outs on that integrated amp you linked (Cambridge Audio AXA35), which would alleviate its use as a volume control.

 

[lovinthehd]

For now I just want to play music from CD's. Given that..... what receiver would you recommend along with this cd player?

I would look for a used receiver (maybe integrated amp, but generally easier to find an old receiver which essentially an integrated amp with a radio tuner and/or internet access) with pre-outs for $100-200 on craigslist/fleabay/forum classifieds, etc. Hard to get a pure pre-amp for that kind of money (except used and even then they tend to cost more).