Amp for Sony SSCS5 with Audio Technica AT-LP120?

[ecamacho]

I first purchased the AT-LP120 turntable. Shortly after, on an impulse buy, I bought the Sony SSCS5 speakers when I saw them on sale. It wasn't until I received them that I realized they were non-powered.

I know the turntable has a built in pre-amp so any powered speakers will give me sound. I've seen these Sony speakers are pretty decent so I want to make good use of them. I wouldn't call myself an audiophile, but I feel I appreciate quality sound more than the average person.

I'm not sure what specs to look out for as I've never bought an amp before. If anyone can help me out that'd be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for the best as I'm sure that's way beyond my budget. Ideally something from low to mid price range that can still give me decent sound.

 

[tlcocks]

I have recently bought the at lp120, and rega fono mm preamp. but there was veiling of high freq despite. read online. found that the bypass switch itself degrades HF and people were ripping that circuit board out. even a video or two online on how to do. so...returned the at lp120 and got instead the brand new at lp120x. AT says it has "improved preamp frequency response" . have verified that's true, but the bypass phono out is also no longer degraded HF response. the turntable sounds way better going out to my rega fono mm than the older model did, in short, it's a better sounding tt than the 120. then I upgraded the cart to ATVM540ML. now the tt sounds FANTASTIC and better with many of my older albums (80's) than their cd counterparts.
I LOVE my at lp120x now!

 

[lovinthehd]

I first purchased the AT-LP120 turntable. Shortly after, on an impulse buy, I bought the Sony SSCS5 speakers when I saw them on sale. It wasn't until I received them that I realized they were non-powered.

I know the turntable has a built in pre-amp so any powered speakers will give me sound. I've seen these Sony speakers are pretty decent so I want to make good use of them. I wouldn't call myself an audiophile, but I feel I appreciate quality sound more than the average person.

I'm not sure what specs to look out for as I've never bought an amp before. If anyone can help me out that'd be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for the best as I'm sure that's way beyond my budget. Ideally something from low to mid price range that can still give me decent sound.

What 's your budget? What other sources of music do you have or might want? Do you want to incorporate video?