cartridge or phono amp?

[skimminstones]

Arghhhh ebay is tempting me with a rega phono as until 10pm tonight they have 20% off everything. Means i could get a rega for £158 if i do so now. There isnt a schiit or emotiva on there.

[skimminstones]

The Emotiva xps 1 is about £150 once imported from the US. Marvellous phono stage..does both mm and mc. Nothing i have heard comes close for the money. Look on amazon us .thats where i got mine

Does the Emotiva come with a suitable UK plug or will i need a power supply?

[danilo]

to be honest thats all over my head lol. I just want something i can plug in and make the records sound better.

Understand the sentiment. But the audio hobby is currently diving into 2 camps in it's Sunset years.
A) Buy one's gear.
Serious coin involved though, for stuff that actually delivers, although price is not the ultimate determinant of goodness..happily.
B) Build one's gear.
Involves a level of independence and the willingness to spend precious time researching, assembling and fumbling. Always a learning curve.
Happily Most decent DIY gear Can outclass Store bought stuff.. sometimes surprisingly so, sometimes not :-)
G'luck in your chosen route

[Clive197]

Many years ago I went to see my Dr who in turn sent me to see a Specialist who sent me for a myriad of test. When I went back to the Specialist he diagnosed UPGRADEITIS for which he told me that there is no known cure.

My point is that you are embarking down a very very slippery slope. If you upgrade your Phonostage you may notice some improvements but then you will be unhappy with the cartridge which onwardly may show up the deficiencies with your speakers, you improve those and the amp comes under suspicion, it NEVER ends.

That is the nature of our hobby, you start with a modest but good system and go on to spend many many thousands, your wife divorces you, your bank manager is permanently on your back, you can't sleep at night for worrying if you've got the right kit, your friends don't speak to you any more because your only conversation is about the kit, wires, mains etc. Such is the life of an audiophile. I'm one of the lucky ones, my wife has resigned herself to my obsession, my friends tolerate me (so long as I don't talk HiFi).

[Zoidburg]

Why not put yourself down for a loan of the firebottle demo unit?

At very least it will give you an idea of if its worth saving a few extra pennies for a purchase at a later date.

[struth]

Does the Emotiva come with a suitable UK plug or will i need a power supply?

It comes with a mini smps that has scuko pins..you need a us/uk adaptor for it..it does 100 to 240 v and outputs 12v dc..its actually very good in its own right. I got one off Amazon for 6 quid and imported the unit from amazon .com

[skimminstones]

Many years ago I went to see my Dr who in turn sent me to see a Specialist who sent me for a myriad of test. When I went back to the Specialist he diagnosed UPGRADEITIS for which he told me that there is no known cure.

My point is that you are embarking down a very very slippery slope. If you upgrade your Phonostage you may notice some improvements but then you will be unhappy with the cartridge which onwardly may show up the deficiencies with your speakers, you improve those and the amp comes under suspicion, it NEVER ends.

That is the nature of our hobby, you start with a modest but good system and go on to spend many many thousands, your wife divorces you, your bank manager is permanently on your back, you can't sleep at night for worrying if you've got the right kit, your friends don't speak to you any more because your only conversation is about the kit, wires, mains etc. Such is the life of an audiophile. I'm one of the lucky ones, my wife has resigned herself to my obsession, my friends tolerate me (so long as I don't talk HiFi).

Thanks but if i followed that id never buy anything and still be stuck with the ford focus and sanyo midi system i had in 1987. Personally i buy things when i can afford them and if i think its a good deal. I dont often treat myself to something hi fi related.