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Help a newbie with low-cost system suggestions

Hi,

I'm looking to get into the separate world at a low budget. Have done some research and am thinking about a used B&K ST-140. Pre-amp to be determined--do you have a suggestion? Currently I use an old Dyna SCA-35 integrated tube amp, and though I really like the tube sound I think it is a little underpowerd for my BIG (don't have the model number in front of me) set of 70's-era JBL's. Phono stage is important to me (have Planar 3 with high-output MC cart.) So, I'm looking for a low-cost new, or not inordinately difficult to find used pre-amp of good quality. Remote would be a nice plus!

Also, a friend of mine may be selling his Vandersteen 2C's, and I have my eye on them. Is the ST-140 a good match? Have I missed out on some other good idea? Or do I need yet more power?

Does this sound like a good plan? Anything else I should consider? Thanks for your help.
leon221580d
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Unless you like a front- row type of sound, you will like the Vandys, altho I expect they have a pretty different sound than the JBLs. Try before you buy if you can. But the Vandys are a classic, and will sound good with almost any gear (but need more muscle than the SCA-35.
bundee1
147 posts
 
Im in the same boat. Ill let you know how the B&K sounds when I get a new preamp. Right now its not up to snuff.
imdanield
2 posts
 
I picked up a pair of Vandy 2C's last weekend and I couldn't be happier. They are a far more musical speaker than Paradigm Monitor 90Ps they replaced. The rest of the gear is an MMF-5 TT, Carver SD/A-360 CDP, Yamaha RX-V596 (as a pre) and a Sherbourn 5/1500A.
unsound
7,315 posts
 
I suggest that you decide on your speakers first then decide upon the appropriate power and work back from there, choosing cables last. For what ever it's worth Richard Vandersteen told me many years ago that he thought the B&K ST140 was the cheapest amp he could recommend with the 2C's. He later told me that he thought that the Rotel amps worked even better at the same price point. Both those recommendations were a long time ago.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
If you're going to be replacing your JBL's, then I think Unsound's suggestion is a sound one. Then, given a low budget and golden ears, an integrated amp to replace your Dyna would make a good deal of sense, rather than going for low-cost separates. As I mentioned above, a good low-cost preamp is very hard to find (although the Klyne SK-5A at $695 here is a candidate). Your Dyna could be sold here.

As for integrated amps, Bryston, SimAudio and Vecteur are the solid-state ones I would want to hear initially. (I'm betting your SCA-35 has spoiled you for low-cost transistor amps.) Tube integrated amps might include Passion and Cayin.
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