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Preamp/amp Budget Suggestions

Thundercranium

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Nov 6, 2024
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My son has decided to embrace vinyl and has asked for a record player for Christmas. I'll head the naysayers off at the pass - although I was a vinyl guy from way back, and sold hi-fi in the 80s, I'm a streaming fan. But vinyl is cool, and that's the route he wants to go. Of course, me being me, I'm not about to get him an all in one record player. I found a great deal on a Rega P1 and I have a set of B&W speakers sitting unused he can have. I need an amplification solution, but what I want seems unavailable at my price point. I considered vintage but it seems overpriced. What you can find at the price point is likely to need costly attention. I need an integrated amp with a phono stage and bluetooth connectivity, ideally below $300. The Fosi stuff looks interesting (although why they don't offer a stand alone integrated with those features is a mystery) but there seems to be so much overlap it's hard to see the woods for the trees. I'm guessing someone on this Forum has been down this road and might be willing to offer some suggestions on the best way to pair a couple of Fosi pieces, or other brands, to find what I need. I tried searching but was unable to find anything. Thanks in advance.
 
You get a LOT more for your money with a receiver. You might not get a phono preamp with an "entry level" receiver or AVR but you can get a separate phono preamp or there are turntables with built-in preamps. If you get an inexpensive phono preamp he always has the option of upgrading later.

...If I was in the market for a turntable I'd seriously consider the Audio Technica AT120USB. It's direct drive so there are no belts or drive wheels to wear out, it comes ready-to-play with a cartridge and built-in preamp, and it has USB and the only reason I still own a turntable is to digitize LPs, and the current version has Bluetooth. I have a 40-yearl old Technics direct drive (not the expensive one) and I've never had any trouble with it (although it hasn't had a much use over the last few decades).
 
Hi, sometimes a simple - old school - solution is a good one.

I see these discounted here (UK) now https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-316bee-v2-integrated-amplifier-review.56270/
Plenty of alternatives from other reputable brands.

Doesn't have bluetooth, but add a WiiM mini (and accept the perfectly adequate but non SOTA DAC) and you are good - with PEQ for streaming if your son wants to go there.

Does the Rega have an integrated phono stage, or do you need that too?
ART do decent, inexpensive ones as do NAD - say $50 ish

Alternatives are a little tricky if you need multiple inputs, the usual candidates (Aiyima A07 Max etc only have one)
WiiM Amp does a LOT but bends your budget.

Just reviewed, looks pretty good https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/shenzhen-smsl-raw-ha1-amplifier-review.58162/
 
Hi, sometimes a simple - old school - solution is a good one.

I see these discounted here (UK) now https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-316bee-v2-integrated-amplifier-review.56270/
Plenty of alternatives from other reputable brands.

Doesn't have bluetooth, but add a WiiM mini (and accept the perfectly adequate but non SOTA DAC) and you are good - with PEQ for streaming if your son wants to go there.

Does the Rega have an integrated phono stage, or do you need that too?
ART do decent, inexpensive ones as do NAD - say $50 ish

Alternatives are a little tricky if you need multiple inputs, the usual candidates (Aiyima A07 Max etc only have one)
WiiM Amp does a LOT but bends your budget.

Just reviewed, looks pretty good https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/shenzhen-smsl-raw-ha1-amplifier-review.58162/
The Rega does not have a built in preamp, but I think I solved my problem - see below.
 
I think I solved my problem. My desktop setup is a NAD D3020 V2 pushing a pair of Elacs. It has bluetooth and a phono stage, neither of which I use. I ordered a Fosi V3 to drop into the desktop and will gift my boy the NAD. Easy peasy!
 
I think I solved my problem. My desktop setup is a NAD D3020 V2 pushing a pair of Elacs. It has bluetooth and a phono stage, neither of which I use. I ordered a Fosi V3 to drop into the desktop and will gift my boy the NAD. Easy peasy!
Ideal :)
 
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