Hello

[nimurphy]

Hi all, I'm here because I don't have a system and wish to build one, unfortunately on a tight budget. Main priority is an integrated amp with phono stage, optical input (would consider separate DAC), and output for 2 speaker sets (not essential). I'm currently using KEF Crestas, yet to get a second pair.

Need to be able to handle Autechre to Steely Dan!

Budget < £400

[John]

Welcome to AOS
I suggest you read our Cheap as Chips thread for inspiration
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9818&highlight=cheap+chips

[MartinT]

Hello Niall and welcome to AoS. You need to look at eBay for used Japanese amps with phono inputs, there are plenty and some of them are going for a bargain. The optical input will need to come from a DAC but there are lots of those around, too. It's a tight budget but do-able.

[nimurphy]

Hi John, Martin, thanks for the welcome. I've had a look at cheap as chips, definitely some more reading to be done there (ill-defined parameters in an audiophile forum???), very instructive. I had been expecting to end up with a NAD or low end Marantz with a Dual or similar turntable, having had a similar set up before, but am definitely aiming for something a bit more interesting and hopefully with a superior result.

What's the story with the Japanese amps, are they just of a fairly high quality and easy to come by?

I've seen a Rega Brio for £160 and a P2 for £140, assuming they're in good working order hopefully I'll pick them up. Also a Beresford Caiman DAC here for £100 though combined would be over budget (no cables yet and haven't actually bought my Odroid X-2).

[MartinT]

Japanese amps are going fairly cheaply and many of them had decent phono stages. You've mentioned Marantz (Japanese) and NAD (UK design, Chinese manufacture I think) already.

The Rega Brio would give a step-up performance-wise. A P2 or Pro-Ject phono amp would do fine to start with. Caiman is an excellent choice for a DAC and very moddable.

Cables can start cheap and go sky-high. Look at Belkin cables to start with.

[nimurphy]

Think I'm going to hold off on the DAC for the moment unless I make some savings on the amp/TT.

The Rega Brio is the clamshell model. £160. Wondering if that's a reasonable price, heard of them going for less than half that.