Amp for turntable

[wcfields]

Hi folks.....first post here.....

I'm looking at getting a turntable and an amp. My question is for best sound should I get a 2 channel amp? I have a Yamaha 7.2 amp right now, but some people have said that it will be to "digital sounding"? Im a newbie so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. Just want a little more info on how to get the best possible sound from my vinyl (and yes I know speakers are most critical).

Thanks,

 

[john72953]

Hi folks.....first post here.....

I'm looking at getting a turntable and an amp. My question is for best sound should I get a 2 channel amp? I have a Yamaha 7.2 amp right now, but some people have said that it will be to "digital sounding"? Im a newbie so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. Just want a little more info on how to get the best possible sound from my vinyl (and yes I know speakers are most critical).

Thanks,

Your question is rather difficult to answer at this point, as we'll need more information. Questions that come to mind are:

1. What is your budget?
2. Will you be running a dedicated 2-channel setup?
3. Will you be running this as part of your HT setup?
4. Does your 7.2 Yamaha have pre-outs/ins?

Regardless as to how you will be setting up your TT, one thing I would strongly suggest is to purchase a seperate Phono Stage (Pre-amp). The built-in phono sections of Amps and AVR's are notorioulsy inadequate, and the introduction of a seperate Phono Stage is thereby almost essential to get the best possible playback.

John

 

[wcfields]

Your question is rather difficult to answer at this point, as we'll need more information. Questions that come to mind are:

1. What is your budget?
2. Will you be running a dedicated 2-channel setup?
3. Will you be running this as part of your HT setup?
4. Does your 7.2 Yamaha have pre-outs/ins?

Regardless as to how you will be setting up your TT, one thing I would strongly suggest is to purchase a seperate Phono Stage (Pre-amp). The built-in phono sections of Amps and AVR's are notorioulsy inadequate, and the introduction of a seperate Phono Stage is thereby almost essential to get the best possible playback.

John

1. I would like to spend under $500 for a decent good 2 channel amp if possible.
2. Yes I will run 2 channels.
3. This will be seperate all together from my HT
4. Yes, the Yamaha has pre-ins and outs.

How much is a decent Phono Stage?

Thanks John, much appreciated.

 

[TLS Guy]

1. I would like to spend under $500 for a decent good 2 channel amp if possible.
2. Yes I will run 2 channels.
3. This will be seperate all together from my HT
4. Yes, the Yamaha has pre-ins and outs.

How much is a decent Phono Stage?

Thanks John, much appreciated.

For what you want to do, I would recommend an integrated stereo amp rather than a home theater receiver.

This really good buy a little above your budget, is just the sort of unit you need. It is for sale on eBay. and AudiogoN.

Here is the spec. sheet.

 

[Swerd]

I'm looking at getting a turntable and an amp. My question is for best sound should I get a 2 channel amp? I have a Yamaha 7.2 amp right now, but some people have said that it will be to "digital sounding"? Im a newbie so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. Just want a little more info on how to get the best possible sound from my vinyl (and yes I know speakers are most critical).

1. I would like to spend under $500 for a decent good 2 channel amp if possible.
2. Yes I will run 2 channels.
3. This will be seperate all together from my HT
4. Yes, the Yamaha has pre-ins and outs.

How much is a decent Phono Stage?

With your budget, you would be better off with a 2 channel receiver or integrated amp that already includes a phono stage.

More important is the turntable's pick-up cartridge. It is where mechanical vibrations are converted to electrical signals. It is a critical step in the signal path, similar to speakers, where the opposite conversion happens. If you concentrate on these, you will get better sound. Shure and Ortofon make good products, that I know of, but there are quite a few others. Needle Doctor is a good place to investigate these items and buy them.

You mentioned that your 2 channel system will be separate from your HT, but does your Yamaha receiver have phono input jacks? If it does, you can plug a turntable with a moving magnet (MM) cartridge directly to the Yamaha to try it out. Moving coil (MC) cartridges also exist, but they cost more and often require separate phono stage preamps with greater gain.

Outlaw makes a good stereo receiver, the RR2150, but it costs more than $500. It is a quality receiver with a powerful amp section, and already has phono stage preamps for either a MM or MC cartridge. Denon, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon, and Onkyo also make units that might work well for you.

If you do end up with a receiver or integrated amp that lacks phono stage inputs, Needle Doctor has a large selection of these, in a very wide price range. I use an Audio Technica PEQ3 with my HT receiver. Note that it works only with MM cartridges.

You never mentioned what speakers you will use in this system. Their power requirements are probably more important to consider when you choose amplification than how well it would sound with vinyl records.

 

[john72953]

1. I would like to spend under $500 for a decent good 2 channel amp if possible.
2. Yes I will run 2 channels.
3. This will be seperate all together from my HT
4. Yes, the Yamaha has pre-ins and outs.

How much is a decent Phono Stage?

Thanks John, much appreciated.

I would also recommend (as has been mentioned ) that you look into an Integrated Amp instead of a receiver. You can pickup some great deals at Audiogon or CanuckAudioMart that are well within your budget.

I disagree with the comment about using the amps internal phono input. Like I said, they are notoriously inadequate and a seperate phono stage will make a huge difference. You can pick one up for about $100-$200. If, because of budget constraints, this is not doable then by all means use the one on the amplifier. You can always add one later.

John

 

[TLS Guy]

I would also recommend (as has been mentioned ) that you look into an Integrated Amp instead of a receiver. You can pickup some great deals at Audiogon or CanuckAudioMart that are well within your budget.

I disagree with the comment about using the amps internal phono input. Like I said, they are notoriously inadequate and a seperate phono stage will make a huge difference. You can pick one up for about $100-$200. If, because of budget constraints, this is not doable then by all means use the one on the amplifier. You can always add one later.

John

A good amp will have an excellent phono stage. On a unit like the Creek, I found on eBay he certainly does not need an external phono stage.

That unit is easily the best unit close to his price range available on eBay or AudiogoN, right now.

 

[walter duque]

Check out my post on classifieds (Vintage Sony) I have (2) sony 2000F Pre-amps and (2) Sony Power amps 140 WattsX2 you can check out some pictures on my photobucket and also a great empire turntable. Cheap way to get into 2 channel audio. All gear is in excellent condition. Turntable is almost mint. Has belt but needs new one.

 

[john72953]

A good amp will have an excellent phono stage. On a unit like the Creek, I found on eBay he certainly does not need an external phono stage.

That unit is easily the best unit close to his price range available on eBay or AudiogoN, right now.

I suppose it all comes down to personal opinion, and that is certainly what makes this hobby so interesting. I have personally yet to meet a good internal phono stage, but then I haven't listened to every amp out there. TLSGuy's comment may therefore and should therefore be considered. I still hold to the suggestion of a seperate phono stage.

John

 

[wcfields]

Thanks alot guys..........some great info provided.

 

[wcfields]

What about something like this, would this work?

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=371&Title=Azur

550A amplifier

 

[highfigh]

What about something like this, would this work?

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=371&Title=Azur

550A amplifier

It will if it has a phono input but I didn't see a button for that on the front. Overall, I have read good things about it but haven't listened to one. I didn't see any prices on the link.

 

[TLS Guy]

What about something like this, would this work?

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=371&Title=Azur

550A amplifier

It would but nowhere near as well as the Creek. Power into four ohms not specifies, and remember the vast majority of speakers are actually four ohms, no matter what the manufacturer says. I hear those amps don't push a lot into four ohms, but if you don't want to play your rig very loud it will be fine.