Opinions / Advice on this set-up

[Thomps557]

Hi,

I'm looking to get my first decent set up for my new house and after looking around, I've settled on a couple of items and I was just wondering if there was anything glaringly wrong with my choices.

I've generally only had high street (sony/panasonic) hifi systems in the past. Nothing Mid or High end.

Amp:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/amplifiers-receivers/yamaha/as500/yama-as500

Speakers:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/floorstanders/q-acoustics/2050i-gr/qaco-2050i-graph

Turntable:

http://www.dougbradyhifi.com/p-590-rega-rp1-turntable-cool-grey.aspx

I do already have a couple of unmodified 1210's and would like to try another TT and the Rega ones seem to be a good bet.

I do check certain auction sites for older gear, but being new to game I'm reluctant to gamble at the minute.

Thanks for looking

Steve

+++ also - my front room is 14' x 12' - so it's a smallish room in a small terraced house - are these speakers too much for such a small space. Won't be played too loud and all kinds of music.

[MikeMusic]

Before you move in get unswitched sockets for the kit and check the mains earth is nice and firm

Don't know the kit

Why not give a budget and ask for suggestions from those that know better than I ?

[Thomps557]

Thanks, Mike.

Around £800 for the same set - will only be playing vinyl.

[hifi_dave]

Rega RP1, Rega Brio-r and a pair of s/hand speakers. Job done.

[Clive197]

Richer sounds??????????

[Thomps557]

Hi,

thanks for that Dave. The Brio-R had caught my aye on the doug Brady site actually. Looks really nice.

So you think it would be wise to invest more in the amp than the speakers and upgrade the speakers at a later date?

[Thomps557]

Richer sounds??????????

Schoolboy error?

[Alan Sircom]

Ignore all the snootiness toward Richer Sounds - Julian Richer's stores are usually very well managed, their prices keen, and their staff well trained, enthusiastic and knowledgable.

I'd have no problem in recommending a system like the one you are proposing. The overall performance should be well balanced, if laid-back in the upper midrange and treble. However, given the trend for excessively thin, bright and forward sounding equipment, this is no bad thing. Bear in mind a lot of how a system sounds falls to the integration between room and loudspeaker, and if the speakers are destined to end up dominating a room 2m x 3m (or disappearing into a room 20m x 30m) you might need to consider smaller (or larger) loudspeakers.

I'd also possibly suggest going for a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable as an alternative to the Rega. It's a little more than the RP1 (£300 instead of £230), but has a better cartridge (Ortofon Red) in situ. While there isn't a lot in it between the two decks, I think the Pro-Ject will be a better match for this system.

Whichever deck you choose though, make sure you place it somewhere level and isolated - a turntable is virtually a backwards seismograph and siting it close to the loudspeakers or on a wobbly floor can play havoc with the performance. It doesn't need to be a dedicated wall shelf designed for the task (although that is ideal), but placing the turntable on top of the amp directly in front of one of the speakers is a definite no-no. Somewhere between the two extremes is best.

[DSJR]

Richer Sounds are thriving where snobby audio 'boutiques' are failing, due to high costs of underperforming so called 'Top End' stuff..

The Pro-ject may well be a good match here, but I still maintain the Rega decks are better made and researched - in my opinion and past experience selling both brands.. The tonearm on the RP1 is so good there's no reason I can think of why a 2M Red couldn't be fitted later on and the AT91 based Carbon it usually comes with is no mean performer and if mine is anything to go by, but dull and wishy-washy either :)

Richer do have a selection of speakers in many of their shops and judging by friends' experiences, I'd suggest some Wharfedale Diamond 121's to the list as well.

[DSJR]

Before you move in get unswitched sockets for the kit and check the mains earth is nice and firm



Unswitched sockets are not necessary in a system at this level (and probably not in expensive ones as well ;)) and any house wiring ought to be checked every decade or so I think.

[Thomps557]

Yeah, I only mentioned RicherSounds as it's well known, to me anyway, for selling better than average gear, and if I'm perfectly honest I would rather spend my money locally (Newcastle) than buy online.

Some great suggestions there - thank you.

As I say, I did n like the look of the Brio - R when I noticed it, so I think I would likely opt for that one.

TT: From the looks of it, they all have their merit, but I would probably go for the Rega for continuity's sake.

I spotted some cheaper, smaller speakers Q Acoustic ones still:

* http://www.whathifi.com/review/q-acoustics-2020i. Makes sense to get smaller, considering the room size.

Need to think about speaker stands now :D

* Don't be telling me WhatHifi is frowned upon too?

[mr sneff]

If you like the Rega TT and fancy the Brio R (not sure if you do or not from your post) for a similar price to the Q Acoustics floorstanders you could get a pair of Rega RS1s. Fantastic speakers, which would obviously work well in an all-Rega set up and, in a smallish room like yours would work well, even close to the wall.

[Marco]

Ignore all the snootiness toward Richer Sounds - Julian Richer's stores are usually very well managed, their prices keen, and their staff well trained, enthusiastic and knowledgable.

I'd have no problem in recommending a system like the one you are proposing. The overall performance should be well balanced, if laid-back in the upper midrange and treble. However, given the trend for excessively thin, bright and forward sounding equipment, this is no bad thing. Bear in mind a lot of how a system sounds falls to the integration between room and loudspeaker, and if the speakers are destined to end up dominating a room 2m x 3m (or disappearing into a room 20m x 30m) you might need to consider smaller (or larger) loudspeakers.

I'd also possibly suggest going for a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable as an alternative to the Rega. It's a little more than the RP1 (£300 instead of £230), but has a better cartridge (Ortofon Red) in situ. While there isn't a lot in it between the two decks, I think the Pro-Ject will be a better match for this system.

Whichever deck you choose though, make sure you place it somewhere level and isolated - a turntable is virtually a backwards seismograph and siting it close to the loudspeakers or on a wobbly floor can play havoc with the performance. It doesn't need to be a dedicated wall shelf designed for the task (although that is ideal), but placing the turntable on top of the amp directly in front of one of the speakers is a definite no-no. Somewhere between the two extremes is best.

+1 (especially the bit in blue). Good advice there, Alan (and Dave)! :)

Richer Sounds are very good at what they do, and most importantly, understand the needs of their customers, which unfortunately cannot be said of all so-called 'high-end' hi-fi dealers.

Marco.

[Thomps557]

They look pretty sweet. Definitely think i will go for the Rega Amp, but these would be pushing my budget a little. I could use run my 1210 that I already have through the Rega Amp/Speaker until I've got a few more quid and buy the TT later...

Decisons. . .

[Marco]

I could use run my 1210 that I already have through the Rega Amp/Speaker until I've got a few more quid and buy the TT later...


Trouble is, Steve, if you do that, you may not wish to 'upgrade' to a Pro-ject or Rega later..... ;)

Marco.

[Thomps557]

Hahah :D I absolutley love my Technics, and would be buying the Rega out of curiosity actually. There can't [I]really[I] be a TT better than a 1210... can there?

[Roy S]

I've got one of those Yamaha amps and wasn't impressed with the build quality or sound, gave it to my stepson & now running second-hand Quads.

[Marco]

Hahah :D I absolutley love my Technics, and would be buying the Rega out of curiosity actually. There can't [I]really[I] be a TT better than a 1210... can there?

Lol... There are plenty, if you're talking about an unmodified one. However, even a stock 1200 or 1210, with a decent MM cartridge fitted, will give most Pro-ject T/Ts a hard time, and certainly the entry-level Regas ;)

My advice? If you're going to get another T/T, then make sure it's fundamentally better than what you've already got!

Marco.

[Clive197]

Ignore all the snootiness toward Richer Sounds - Julian Richer's stores are usually very well managed, their prices keen, and their staff well trained, enthusiastic and knowledgable.

I'd have no problem in recommending a system like the one you are proposing. The overall performance should be well balanced, if laid-back in the upper midrange and treble. However, given the trend for excessively thin, bright and forward sounding equipment, this is no bad thing. Bear in mind a lot of how a system sounds falls to the integration between room and loudspeaker, and if the speakers are destined to end up dominating a room 2m x 3m (or disappearing into a room 20m x 30m) you might need to consider smaller (or larger) loudspeakers.

I'd also possibly suggest going for a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable as an alternative to the Rega. It's a little more than the RP1 (£300 instead of £230), but has a better cartridge (Ortofon Red) in situ. While there isn't a lot in it between the two decks, I think the Pro-Ject will be a better match for this system.

Whichever deck you choose though, make sure you place it somewhere level and isolated - a turntable is virtually a backwards seismograph and siting it close to the loudspeakers or on a wobbly floor can play havoc with the performance. It doesn't need to be a dedicated wall shelf designed for the task (although that is ideal), but placing the turntable on top of the amp directly in front of one of the speakers is a definite no-no. Somewhere between the two extremes is best.

Please understand my question mark over Richer Sound was not snootiness. My last experience of a Richer store was exceptionally poor. The salesperson was unable to answer most of my questions and she kept trying to sell me a product I was not interested in, furthermore the store ( I can name and shame if requested) was filthy and everything was covered in dust. The salesman had to blow off the dust when it was picked up.
I know the products are cheap, mainly because they are old stock and the pile it high and sell it cheap is still the business model, but that is no excuse for a dirty store.

Clive

[Marco]

Clive, if you were to report your experience directly to Julian Richer (he usually welcomes such correspondence from customers), I'm sure that he would take the matter very seriously, and deal with it accordingly.

I certainly can't say I've had the same experience with the Chester store, which is always immaculate, and where the staff are always unfailingly polite and knowledgeable.

I wouldn't condemn a whole chain of stores, simply because of a bad experience in one of them, unless of course what you've outlined has happened in other Richer Sounds outlets?

Marco.

[Macca]

The Richer Sounds here is excellent with a good dem room. I think this sounds like a good system to start with. I'd forget the tt thoigh if you have an sl1200 work with that instead.

[Marco]

I'd forget the tt thoigh if you have an sl1200 work with that instead.

+1. If we're talking about budget Pro-jects and Regas, Steve would be wasting his money, providing that he likes his SL-1210. If that's the case, and achieving the best sound is the ultimate goal, then the money he'd be spending on purchasing the former would be better spent on modifying the latter!

:exactly:

Marco.

[MCRU]

Clive, if you were to report your experience directly to Julian Richer (he usually welcomes such correspondence from customers), I'm sure that he would take the matter very seriously, and deal with it accordingly.

I certainly can't say I've had the same experience with the Chester store, which is always immaculate, and where the staff are always unfailingly polite and knowledgeable.

I wouldn't condemn a whole chain of stores, simply because of a bad experience in one of them, unless of course what you've outlined has happened in other Richer Sounds outlets?

Marco.

One bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch, I even had a richersounds staff member e-mail me to ask if he could come to my next fest, I said yes of course and when I decided to buy some new headphones to use while out jogging he gave me a small discount off some, how cool is that. Nothing but praise for this chain of stores.

[Clive197]

Clive, if you were to report your experience directly to Julian Richer (he usually welcomes such correspondence from customers), I'm sure that he would take the matter very seriously, and deal with it accordingly.

I certainly can't say I've had the same experience with the Chester store, which is always immaculate, and where the staff are always unfailingly polite and knowledgeable.

I wouldn't condemn a whole chain of stores, simply because of a bad experience in one of them, unless of course what you've outlined has happened in other Richer Sounds outlets?

Marco.

Actually Marco it has. I could name three stores I found less than clean. I notice these things because the stores that I worked in were clean and well presented. The two bosses I worked for both came from the same school of presentation.

Prior to that, I worked as a senior manager who had strict instructions to keep the stores immaculate.

To be fair to Richer Sound, a store I visited in September was well presented and looked clean, well done Windsor.

I would also mention, that a colleague of mine in the last store I worked for used to regale me with tales of the previous store he worked for. He left them because their pay structure was less then generous and what they only got up to would probably shock you. You guessed it Richer Sounds, what the eye doesn't see etc, etc, etc.

So please carry on with the praise of said stores, I can only comment on what I've seen.



Clive

[Marco]

That's fine, Clive. If those are your honest experiences, then there's nothing wrong with adding some balance to the discussion.

It's certainly not my experience, however, with any Richer Sounds store I've been in, and I include the ones I've frequented up in Scotland, and also the Liverpool branch that I popped into recently.

I guess that much of this depends on how good the appointed manager, in a specific store, is at doing his job! ;)

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

Hi,

thanks for that Dave. The Brio-R had caught my aye on the doug Brady site actually. Looks really nice.

So you think it would be wise to invest more in the amp than the speakers and upgrade the speakers at a later date?
I'd go for the highest budget I could stretch to at the start to save upgrading, or at least a step or two.
I'd go for more money on amp than speakers

[MikeMusic]

Unswitched sockets are not necessary in a system at this level (and probably not in expensive ones as well ;)) and any house wiring ought to be checked every decade or so I think.

I've heard the difference in lower end systems as well as high - the other half agreed
It's so cheap it's almost free

[MikeMusic]

My advice? If you're going to get another T/T, then make sure it's fundamentally better than what you've already got!

Marco.
+1

[Reffc]

Ignore all the snootiness toward Richer Sounds - Julian Richer's stores are usually very well managed, their prices keen, and their staff well trained, enthusiastic and knowledgable.

I'd have no problem in recommending a system like the one you are proposing. The overall performance should be well balanced, if laid-back in the upper midrange and treble. However, given the trend for excessively thin, bright and forward sounding equipment, this is no bad thing. Bear in mind a lot of how a system sounds falls to the integration between room and loudspeaker, and if the speakers are destined to end up dominating a room 2m x 3m (or disappearing into a room 20m x 30m) you might need to consider smaller (or larger) loudspeakers.

I'd also possibly suggest going for a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable as an alternative to the Rega. It's a little more than the RP1 (£300 instead of £230), but has a better cartridge (Ortofon Red) in situ. While there isn't a lot in it between the two decks, I think the Pro-Ject will be a better match for this system.

Whichever deck you choose though, make sure you place it somewhere level and isolated - a turntable is virtually a backwards seismograph and siting it close to the loudspeakers or on a wobbly floor can play havoc with the performance. It doesn't need to be a dedicated wall shelf designed for the task (although that is ideal), but placing the turntable on top of the amp directly in front of one of the speakers is a definite no-no. Somewhere between the two extremes is best.


+1. Good, sensible advice.

[DarrenHW]

I certainly can't say I've had the same experience with the Chester store, which is always immaculate, and where the staff are always unfailingly polite and knowledgeable.
Marco.

+1 This is my experience with the Chester store also.

I'd definitely listen to the Q Acoustics first (if you're still looking in that direction), I have a pair of 1030i's (not sure how the 2000 series compare but should be better) which I have had for about 4 years and are still part of my home cinema setup, the build quality is pretty good but they do need to be a good distance from the wall (even with bungs in the ports), mine are currently 200mm from a solid brick wall, when I had them in front of a plasterboard wall they needed to be more like 400mm! Most importantly I do not find them particularly musical, there are many better options available on the second hand market which perform better and are cheaper, check out the Private Exhibitions on here, plenty of bargains, you know you're buying from a trustworthy seller and plenty of other members will be able to advise (from their own experience) you on your potential purpose.

I was in the same boat as you regarding TT, I initially wanted the Rega, then after a visit to my local (and very helpful & friendly) HiFi store was advised to hold fire until the Project Debut Carbon was released, I duly waited, it got 5 *'s in What HiFi, I again visited my local HiFi store (after a short wait as there was quite a long lead time on these initially) with cash burning a whole in my pocket only to be talked out of my purchase as their consensus was that better results could be achieved with the Technics as I was interested in the DIY route. I should point out that I bought my first Techy on eBay, my local HiFi store (who do stock some pre owned, but not to order) missed out on a sale to protect my best interests. The moral of the story would be to also check out your local independent HiFi stores, they're are generally (but not always) good guys who may have some pre owned bargains, and may give you a better price on new stock than you'd expect.

[Berni217]

I would not buy new if I were you. You can get much more for your money if you choose carefully your kit from those advertised on the forums.
I agree with Marco, keep the Sl-1210.

[tpbholm]

I'm just about to sell my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. It's 1 month old and comes with the balance of the manufacturers warranty (I've upgraded to a Linn LP12).
Looking to get around £230-£250 for it.
It's an excellent turntable...