View Full Version : Royd Minstrel - What amplification are you using?
martian sunrise
05-02-2017, 12:00
Hi all,
I spend a bit of time away from home, so have decided to put together a vinyl system to listen to in my country estate (it's actually an annexe at my in-laws...). Currently a Chromecast Audio feeding an Amptastic and out a pair of (temperamental) Mordant Short MS10s, it has been a fairly decent set up for listening to Spotify and have been happy with it. However, I have a Michell Focus one, that I was going to sell on, but have decided to keep that and have a vinyl set up.
The Amptastic doesn't have a phono stage and the MS10s (as good as they were) have seen better days. I have always wanted to get myself a pair of Minstrels after hearing a pair of them in a record shop a while back and liking them.
So I have had my eyes peeled for a cheap pair of Minstrels, and some came up on another forum, so I am interested in an amp that can replace the Amptastic with a couple of inputs and (more importantly) a good phono stage. I have looked around and there is a bit of chat about NVA/Ion/Nytech being a good match, and someone said Quad 33/303.
As they are fairly popular, I just thought i'd ask the question and see if anyone had any recommendations/or anything they are willing to part with. I reckon £100-£150 id a good range, perhaps more for the right thing.
All feedback welcome.
Could just get a phono stage and stick with what you have. Plenty decent ones around for not too much. Although some amps do have good phonos, most are nothing special imv.
martian sunrise
05-02-2017, 12:13
yeah, i did think about that. i guess i would be then looking at a sub £100 phono. would mean two boxes and only one input, but neither is a problem.
A little more and you can get one of these imported from usa amazon.... stonking phono amp.best ive used imo
https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-XPS-1-Phono-Preamp/dp/B00PMCIYK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486296992&sr=8-1&keywords=Emotiva+phono
Hi all,
I spend a bit of time away from home, so have decided to put together a vinyl system to listen to in my country estate (it's actually an annexe at my in-laws...). Currently a Chromecast Audio feeding an Amptastic and out a pair of (temperamental) Mordant Short MS10s, it has been a fairly decent set up for listening to Spotify and have been happy with it. However, I have a Michell Focus one, that I was going to sell on, but have decided to keep that and have a vinyl set up.
The Amptastic doesn't have a phono stage and the MS10s (as good as they were) have seen better days. I have always wanted to get myself a pair of Minstrels after hearing a pair of them in a record shop a while back and liking them.
So I have had my eyes peeled for a cheap pair of Minstrels, and some came up on another forum, so I am interested in an amp that can replace the Amptastic with a couple of inputs and (more importantly) a good phono stage. I have looked around and there is a bit of chat about NVA/Ion/Nytech being a good match, and someone said Quad 33/303.
As they are fairly popular, I just thought i'd ask the question and see if anyone had any recommendations/or anything they are willing to part with. I reckon £100-£150 id a good range, perhaps more for the right thing.
All feedback welcome.
You'd be needing to spend a bit more for NVA but seems to be well liked with Royd speakers.
Maybe if you're looking for a amp with a decent phono stage and some power within your price range an older Rega, Arcam or Sony might fit the bill.
martian sunrise
05-02-2017, 12:36
A little more and you can get one of these imported from usa amazon.... stonking phono amp.best ive used imo
https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-XPS-1-Phono-Preamp/dp/B00PMCIYK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486296992&sr=8-1&keywords=Emotiva+phono
Cheers. That seems like the easiest solution.
You'd be needing to spend a bit more for NVA but seems to be well liked with Royd speakers.
Maybe if you're looking for a amp with a decent phono stage and some power within your price range an older Rega, Arcam or Sony might fit the bill.
It looks like you are right about the NVA stuff, although I appear to have missed an integrated recently that is in budget.
Cheers. That seems like the easiest solution.
It looks like you are right about the NVA stuff, although I appear to have missed an integrated recently that is in budget.
With a phono stage? They're pretty uncommon for NVA who sell a separate phono stage.
A little more and you can get one of these imported from usa amazon.... stonking phono amp.best ive used imo
https://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Audio-XPS-1-Phono-Preamp/dp/B00PMCIYK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486296992&sr=8-1&keywords=Emotiva+phono
Are those really good? I've never even thought about trying one out.
Cheers. That seems like the easiest solution.
It looks like you are right about the NVA stuff, although I appear to have missed an integrated recently that is in budget.
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martian sunrise
05-02-2017, 12:50
With a phono stage? They're pretty uncommon for NVA who sell a separate phono stage.
this is what i found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NVA-AP30-integrated-amplifier-with-Phono-stage-/222380210322?hash=item33c6e4b892:g:l9EAAOSwNnRYfTu I
this is what i found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NVA-AP30-integrated-amplifier-with-Phono-stage-/222380210322?hash=item33c6e4b892:g:l9EAAOSwNnRYfTu I
That should get you going. I've never messed with an NVA.
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this is what i found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NVA-AP30-integrated-amplifier-with-Phono-stage-/222380210322?hash=item33c6e4b892:g:l9EAAOSwNnRYfTu I
Interesting, must be an older model as the newer ones don't have the phono stage built in. Before pulling the trigger on this I'd suggest you get in touch with NVA to see if they will still service the amp if necessary and ensure it is still within specification.
martian sunrise
05-02-2017, 13:12
It has been sold already.
Are those really good? I've never even thought about trying one out.
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Wouldnt use it if it were shite lol. Better than all the others ive had, many at much higher prices. Super build quality too. Be cheaper for you in states as no import duty. Ive had mine for quite some time and it was great with a good mc as well.
Wouldnt use it if it were shite lol. Better than all the others ive had, many at much higher prices. Super build quality too. Be cheaper for you in states as no import duty. Ive had mine for quite some time and it was great with a good mc as well.
I ordered one. Have you ever opened it up? I'm guessing it's just a couple of op-amps.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170205/3ba8ff688b7a8b1cba5022bc6186564f.jpg
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Arkless Electronics
05-02-2017, 14:28
Interesting, must be an older model as the newer ones don't have the phono stage built in. Before pulling the trigger on this I'd suggest you get in touch with NVA to see if they will still service the amp if necessary and ensure it is still within specification.
You don't need a manufacturer to be still extant or offering servicing in order to get an amp repaired, no matter what the make (exception; a few high tech class D amps are repairable only by the manufacturer). Any decent engineer can repair any make of amp just as well as the manufacturer ;)
You don't need a manufacturer to be still extant or offering servicing in order to get an amp repaired, no matter what the make (exception; a few high tech class D amps are repairable only by the manufacturer). Any decent engineer can repair any make of amp just as well as the manufacturer ;)
We can usually improve them. We don't have a price point to work within.
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I would look out for an Onix OA21. Great phono stage and lots of power. Sounds very good with Minstrels too.
You don't need a manufacturer to be still extant or offering servicing in order to get an amp repaired, no matter what the make (exception; a few high tech class D amps are repairable only by the manufacturer). Any decent engineer can repair any make of amp just as well as the manufacturer ;)
Of course Jez, true. But the maker of this amp in particular would probably have something to say about it, such is his way.
Arkless Electronics
05-02-2017, 16:44
Of course Jez, true. But the maker of this amp in particular would probably have something to say about it, such is his way.
And?
Arkless Electronics
05-02-2017, 16:44
We can usually improve them. We don't have a price point to work within.
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Indeed.
Wouldnt use it if it were shite lol. Better than all the others ive had, many at much higher prices. Super build quality too. Be cheaper for you in states as no import duty. Ive had mine for quite some time and it was great with a good mc as well.
I just got it today. I'm impressed. It sounds a lot like a Marantz receiver. It's level with good separation, but laid back. That's a steal for $150. I'll have to read up on the op amps in it.
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