what amp?

[fini]

My dad's given me a rega planar 3 turntable and two technics SB-R4 130W speakers. Firstly, what do you think of both of these; any good,? I can't find anything to do with the speakers, (google is not my friend) but they're linear phase and are apparently from the early 80's. I'm looking to get an amp for them second-hand, spending about £300-£400, but am not sure what to go for.. any suggestions?

I've seen a Linn Majik (with phono) for £300... any good?

fini

 

[9designs2]

The Turntable should be good, what Arm and Cart does it have on it ? ( is the arm straight or "S" shaped)

Make sure you take care positioning it, the P3 has very little Isolation abilities. Need to be on a light ridged wall shelf if possible, away from the speakers.

Amps, Majik, yes, or an older Intek should be cheaper, also Naim Nait, IncaTech Claymore (my 1st Choice). Some would say Audiolab 8000a, I always found it boring and sterile, but very well made. The Claymore would spank it !! Also look for Exposure, they sit some between the Linn and the Naim.

Then go and look for some better speakers, not heard them, but the brand does not fill me with much hope !

 

[Matblack]

The Turntable should be good, what Arm and Cart does it have on it ? ( is the arm straight or "S" shaped)

Make sure you take care positioning it, the P3 has very little Isolation abilities. Need to be on a light ridged wall shelf if possible, away from the speakers.

Amps, Majik, yes, or an older Intek should be cheaper, also Naim Nait, IncaTech Claymore (my 1st Choice). Some would say Audiolab 8000a, I always found it boring and sterile, but very well made. The Claymore would spank it !! Also look for Exposure, they sit some between the Linn and the Naim.

Then go and look for some better speakers, not heard them, but the brand does not fill me with much hope !

The person who would suggest Audiolab would be me, although I always seem to get slated for doing so . The reason I would suggest it in this instance is that it has one of the better phono stages available and vinyl seems important to you plus its easily available (see ebay) rather then the Claymore which is rare as rocking horse excrement. Yes it sounds clean and pure but that suits some people and some speakers, me and my KEFs for instance .
It was used as the reference amp for a couple of magazines and it is pretty much indestructable. 9s suggestions are good too but I wouldn't rule out the audiolab just becuase someone on the net hates it

MB

 

[9designs2]

Hey no offence mate, had no one in mind !! Sure it's a good amp, just all the others are better, IMO, and as reviewed by mags other than What Hi-Fi, and most dealers I spoke to ! Plus when I heard it sounded very "boring" ..... Still at the right prices it's a huge step up from a lot of the High Street or discount store products, and said to be the most reliable.
Also try some of the Arcam amps, for a more warm rounded sound than the above.