Vintage HiFi Enthusiasts.
Discussion
You have a number of options.
Depending on whether the turntable has an MC (Moving Coil) or MM (moving Magnet) cartridge...
You could buy an amp with a phono stage. There are still a few around, but these mostly have MM phono stages only.
You can buy an adapter box, which the turntable plugs into, then the output of this box connects to any high level (Aux / Tape / CD) input on an amp.
There are various models available, from higher end ( Graham Slee) to lower end ( Project / Nad).
Depending on whether the turntable has an MC (Moving Coil) or MM (moving Magnet) cartridge...
You could buy an amp with a phono stage. There are still a few around, but these mostly have MM phono stages only.
You can buy an adapter box, which the turntable plugs into, then the output of this box connects to any high level (Aux / Tape / CD) input on an amp.
There are various models available, from higher end ( Graham Slee) to lower end ( Project / Nad).
Edited by TonyRPH on Wednesday 11th August 15:25
Sorry, I glossed over the speaker part (I really should read twice..).
You don't mention budget, but I would have thought with speakers like the Tannoys, a valve amp would be more suitable than a modern transistor one.
But as DavidY says, you would probably be better asking over on Pink Fish Media.
You don't mention budget, but I would have thought with speakers like the Tannoys, a valve amp would be more suitable than a modern transistor one.
But as DavidY says, you would probably be better asking over on Pink Fish Media.
The early models of those old idler drives use a cast iron platter so you wouldn't be using a MC cart. Something to sit between a vintage Thorens and vintage Tannoys... I'd recommend trying a new valve integrated. Depending on your budget, something from the UK or a piece of the better Chi-fi should fill the gap.
Do you know the efficiency of your speakers?
Do you know the efficiency of your speakers?
Plinius and Heed are significantly different in terms of presentation and cost. I really like Heed amps, but would question why the additional PSU would be needed at the outset. There is an MM phono card option available for the Obelisk, and the amp is powerful enough to drive all but the most inefficient of speakers. Old Tannoy dual concentrics, if that's what you have, are very easy to drive - 94 or 95dB I seem to recall. No way of knowing how it will work with your speakers and in your room before home demming though.
If I was setting up a small system with a vintage Thorens and Tannoys, I'd be looking at a tube integrated (Quad, Unison Research, Opera/Consonance, etc). Plenty of choice, and more in keeping with the other components.
If I was setting up a small system with a vintage Thorens and Tannoys, I'd be looking at a tube integrated (Quad, Unison Research, Opera/Consonance, etc). Plenty of choice, and more in keeping with the other components.
Whatever you get you must remember that in the '50s the HiFi enthusiast listened to music, not transparency, presence, behaviour that seem to infest modern HiFi, they may have mentioned tone though. Oh and don't use those new fangled transistor things either they can be too "clinical".
Given the speakers and room I'd say a single 300B valve per channel (7-8W) would suffice, maybe even a 2A3 (4W per side) - something like the top one on this page: http://www.decoaudio.com/deco_audio_power_amplifie...
FlossyThePig said:
Whatever you get you must remember that in the '50s the HiFi enthusiast listened to music, not transparency, presence, behaviour that seem to infest modern HiFi, they may have mentioned tone though. Oh and don't use those new fangled transistor things either they can be too "clinical".
Modern valve amps don't tend to sound all warm and treacly. Mine do tranparency and presence in spades. Quad II/40's if you are interested, Driven by a Copland Pre, valved with TJ Full Musics and NOS Mullards.Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff