What kind of unit to buy for LP player + phono stage + active monitors?

[Milan Simon]

Hello! I have a pair of Dynaudio BM5 mkIII active studio monitors, a Rega Planar 1 LP player, a Rega Fono Mini A2D phono stage and an Onkyo A-9010 integrated stereo amplifier.
Now I am sending back the Onkyo A-9010 because, it doesn`t have "pre-outs", I can`t use it with my active speakers.
What kind of unit would you buy if your budget is 150-250 pounds? I would like to connect a cd player later. I have a Mackie Mix5 Mixer, but it doesn`t sound convincing with it. It feels like that is the weakest chain in my system.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/260-9260324-3137416?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=YAMAHA+R-N303
It also has photo inputs so you won't need your phono pre-amp

 

[Milan Simon]

I am happy to use my phono stage.. and this one is not available in Norway. Any other or cheaper solution? I only need for stereo.

 

[killdozzer]

No miracles on that budget. Are you interested in second hand? You obviously want some features and they usually raise price. Perhaps you might look for a pre-amp, since your speakers are active. This is not the best way to go, though, because if you ever wish to change your speakers you'll have to get some amplification or you'll be forced to look only among active speakers. That doesn't have to be a handicap, only something to keep in mind.

Ajde Milane, you live in Norway, you can come up with more than 250 pounds (excuse the +stereotype).

 

[Milan Simon]

I am not going to change my speakers anytime soon, neither my turntable and the phono stage. I only want to connect a cd player later to my stereo system. Can a passive pre-amp a way to go?

 

[killdozzer]

I am not going to change my speakers anytime soon, neither my turntable and the phono stage. I only want to connect a cd player later to my stereo system. Can a passive pre-amp a way to go?

Yes, absolutely. It can even be an easier task to get one at that price. If I was you (and I know I'm not ) I'd go for this if new:
Parasound Zpre2

Or perhaps buy second hand. Some AudioLab or NAD.

I know Parasound will get a lot of votes here and the one I linked goes for less than your stated budget.

 

[Milan Simon]

Thank you killdozzer! The Parasound Zpre2 looks like a really good option. What about this one? It looks like simplier a bit, but I am gonna add only a CD player later. And simple sometimes better....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tisbury-Audio-Mini-Passive-Preamp-II-Stepped-Attenuator-Pre-Amplifier-/171062829201

 

[killdozzer]

There are instances where simpler is better, I can't confirm this is one of them, however. I try to be extra careful about not recommending anything I know nothing about. So, Tisbury might be a perfect solution or not, I just don't know. Also, I see it's a London based company and I don't know how well known it is in the USA. (Mind you, I'm not in the USA, but this forum is based there, people are not that well acquainted with EU/UK products)

You could also ask in WhatHiFi forums as they are UK based and mostly into British products. I will warn you they tend to be more enthusiast than professional, but mostly they are OK.