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Audiophile beginner with a question...

Hello!

I have begun my venture into audio with my purchase last week of B&W DM601 S2s. Right now, I am using a Marantz 2215b, and a Fisher CD player. (Which by the way, I will be getting rid of since it is old, and I am doing things little by little on a college budget.)To get to the point of things, here is my question:
What would you guys recommend for me in terms of a good starter CD player, and amp and pre-amp. This receiver is not cutting it, and the static is bad! By the way, the music I listen to is pretty much classic rock, and jazz.
Thank you very much!!!
hi_watt
geddie
27 posts
 
Oooops! Sorry 'bout that. If I didn't, I meant to include the address for AudioSource's web site:

http://www.audiosource.net/

To shop around a little more, bookmark this site for a listing of audio manufacturers:

http://www.wssh.net/~wattsup/arsl.html#A
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
If you want a single box receiver, one of the few decently priced receivers still made for quality audio and not for Home Theater is the NAD C740 which combines the C340 integrated amp with the C440 FM/AM Tuner. The C740 lists new for $499. For decent used receivers, look for NAD, Onkyo Integra (TX65 or TX870), or a Rotel (RX950 or RX975).


Whatever you get if you need a separate FM tuner; for less then $100 you can get a used NAD or an Onkyo Integra Tuner (T4015, T4017, T4057, T4087, T4150, T4500, T4700, T407, and the newest T4711 will be more). The Integra line is Onkyo's best and they are a good deal used and were built to last. The older NAD's sound nice, but are less reliable. The displays tend to go dead for some reason.

hi_watt OP
3 posts
 
Thank you very much! I will definitely do some research on the advice you guys have given me. I will try my best on a follow up in my quest for audio!

Take care!
hi_watt OP
3 posts
 
So far, I would not mind spending 400 for a CD player. But that is not exactly now. It is more like in the following month. Anything under 500 would do if possible, depending on amp, receiver and stuff. So this is pretty much going to take some time in terms of research!
thanks again for the advice!
celtic66
1,654 posts
 
The Linn Classik suggestion is very good. I've owned one and it was very decent. Did everything well and takes up so little room. Don't be put off by the 37wpc rating as it is very deceptive. If you can't punch that out, go for the NAD L-40. I use one for a travel system and it is musical and very good for what it is. A reconditioned unit $360.

The British have always had a formula for investment of your dollars and it applies to you right now.

source 40%
amplification 30%
speakers 20%
cabling 10%

You can make a pair of decent but cheap speakers sound very respectable with a solid front end, however you cannot correct any mistakes of the source with amplification and speakers afterward. Best of luck.
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