Grassroots Audiosports--Power Amp suggestions (Paging 92Celica, Zombywoof?

TL;DR: What new or used Amplifier would you recommend on a budget? Less than $200 if possible.

Been looking into getting back into the vinyl game since I have a bunch of albums and somehow no turntable. So I've been searching for a turntable, when I realize that my Pioneer Surround Receiver (from college) doesn't have a phono input. So I start searching for a phono-preamp. Huh. Those are kinda expensive. Talked to my local hi-fi shop about the cheaper ones and they said that they're good, until they're not--they've seen a lot of them just fail or else after a while they'll start to hear a hum that they've determined is from the preamp. (note: they have very high standards, and refuse to sell junk, so they could be out of line).

Well, I realized my dad has an old Amber Electronics pre-amp in the basement that is still in very good condition. And it has a Phono input already. Since I don't really get anything from surround sound (heck, I only have 2 channels hooked up anyways) I was thinking maybe I just get a power amp and hook it up to the old Amber.

Are there any "Miata's" of the hifi world out there for power amps? I don't play loud, but would someday in the next few years be upgrading my speakers to some Magnepans or Thiels or similar--if whatever I got could power those, that would be nice. Current speakers are bookshelf Canton's that really do not require a whole lot of juice.

Any suggestions?

Also, anyone have a decent turntable for sale? And anyone want to buy a Bang and Olufsen turntable for parts (no cartridge)?

Emotiva? Kind of gaudy, but inexpensive (I had one but sold it)

Onkyo has a relatively cheap one, not sure of the model

AudioSource amps can be had cheap from Amazon

Also, did you check your Pioneer to see if it has a preamp input? Or alternatively, just hook the outputs from the preamp to one of the inputs on the Pioneer?

slowride wrote: Or alternatively, just hook the outputs from the preamp to one of the inputs on the Pioneer?

The phono preamp should 2 things:
1. It performs RIAA equalization
2. It amplifies the signal to line level

Generally, if you have a phono pre-amp, you don't need a specific phono input.

slowride wrote: Emotiva? Kind of gaudy, but inexpensive (I had one but sold it) Onkyo has a relatively cheap one, not sure of the model AudioSource amps can be had cheap from Amazon Also, did you check your Pioneer to see if it has a preamp input? Or alternatively, just hook the outputs from the preamp to one of the inputs on the Pioneer?

The Pioneer is a surround receiver without a Phono stage. So I'd have to get a phone pre-amp, then hook it into the Aux input on the Pioneer.

The preamp your dad has will do the same thing, it's just bigger. That's what I meant.

Also, if your receiver has preamp inputs, that allows you to just use the amp section of the Pioneer. They are labelled "pre in" or something like that. Not all receivers have them though.

I'd check your local pawnshops / thrift stores, for amps and receivers. It's amazing what you can find. Luxman, Denon, Nakamichi, and even Sony (ES series) made decent mid-fi units back in the day. Any of them will work well with vinyl.

Or, if you really want a nice listening experience, find an older tube amp. I have a Yamaha receiver for my TV / movies / surround sound / pandora / casual listening, but when I really want to listen to quality sound, I fire up the old Luxman--- even though mine is a hybrid, it sounds a ton better than the solid state Yamaha can manage.

mine is an LV-105 integrated amp, and I've been very happy with it. (I've owned it for 20 years or so)

slowride wrote: The preamp your dad has will do the same thing, it's just bigger. That's what I meant. Also, if your receiver has preamp inputs, that allows you to just use the amp section of the Pioneer. They are labelled "pre in" or something like that. Not all receivers have them though.

Will have to check for that. Thanks!

What model Magnepans are you considering. I ask because some of the older ones, and currently the big ones (20 and 3 series) do take some power. Make sure what you get can handle an4 ohm load. I'm Currently building a home theater that will be 100% Magnepans with the addition of a sub.
Look for an old Dynaco or any of the ones mentioned.

Honestly, I'm not sure what Magnepans. I've just always liked the look and sound in general, so once we move into a bigger house/apartment in a year, I'll start to keep my eyes open on craigslist and at the local shop for something used--either the mags, some Thiels, or possibly some B&W or Martin Logans. Just depends whats available when I'm ready.

Consider the MMGs. They are super cheap for audiophile gear. I just bought some MMGs, and am shopping for MMGWs for the rears, and MMGC for the center.

For a cheap but decent used power amp, I'd look for an Adcom 535.