Anyone want to help a young, budding audiophile?

vhiner · « **on:** 22 Jun 2021, 04:30 am »

Hi guys,

I have a 20-year-old nephew who’s quickly becoming a vinyl fanatic. Blackmore and I set him up a while back with some vintage Cerwin Vegas and a great Philips AH786. Sadly, the Philips has developed issues and may not be fixable for reasonable money in the short term. This kid is jonesing bad for his music and I promised to see if I could find an affordable integrated amp to stand in for the Philips. Because he’s still in school, his budget is very meager. Anybody have an ideas, leads or even some equipment you’d be willing to part with for a little less than market value to help a young audiophile out? Post here or PM me if you like.

Vance

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Jun 2021, 03:17 pm »

I wish that I could help you out with old equipment but have you looked at Audiogon-

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaaid2-dual-pa5060-ct5040-receivers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaah53-onkyo-a-9050-integrated-amp-solid-state

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9gd7-yamaha-a-420-solid-state

I would also look at Dayton Audio Class D integrated amps. I own a DTA100a and it sounds very good for a $100 amp. It has a wide sound stage with a lot of air with punchy bass. The newer version is the DTA120BT. It sells for $126. It only has 1 input. He would need a cheap phono preamp however. Pro-Ject makes one for $79 but there are cheaper.

https://www.daytonaudio.com/category/198/finished-amplifiers

Here is a cheap integrated that is similar to the Dayton but cheaper with possibly better specs, also includes tone controls-

https://www.amazon.com/BT20A-Bluetooth-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated/dp/B07BQC7GNL/ref=sxin_10_trr_537344_1?crid=26UYWN166SSCZ&cv_ct_cx=integrated+amplifier&dchild=1&keywords=integrated+amplifier&pd_rd_i=B07BQC7GNL&pd_rd_r=896c829f-da43-44f9-a032-0d57ac18403e&pd_rd_w=eloVF&pd_rd_wg=zKcof&pf_rd_p=9e83fe05-f489-4685-b4af-0db60cbe7c15&pf_rd_r=0QC73AMNK6FZNM8BAH9P&qid=1624375367&sprefix=integrated+amp%2Caps%2C204&sr=1-2-5519553e-2baa-451e-af83-b0156e5c6669

steve k · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Jun 2021, 05:02 pm »

Send him to Record Exchange. I've outfitted my kids with starter systems from RE over the years. You might be able to pick up a piece at a time if you keep looking. It's mostly 70's gear. Nothing wrong with that.
Steve

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Jun 2021, 06:02 pm »

Here is a deal here on AC

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=176870.msg1862676;topicseen#new

popthinker · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Jun 2021, 06:18 pm »

My extras at that price point run to turntables and CD players, but let's all check our stuff and see if we can help.

Surely someone can pay it forward?

dpatters · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Jun 2021, 07:39 pm »

Look for a used PS Audio Sprout. Phono and Bluetooth built in.

Don P.

Scott F. · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Jun 2021, 10:44 pm »

Hiya Vance,

I've got a couple Class D, integrated chip amps I'd be willing to donate. Nothing fancy but they work. Somewhere in the 15-20WPC range.

Ping me if you are interested.

charmerci · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 01:22 am »

I also recommend the SMSL SA50 at $55. Even though it only has one input and no phono, it's has good power and sounds damn good at that price.

vhiner · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 05:56 am »

Quote from: I.Greyhound Fan on 22 Jun 2021, 03:17 pm

I wish that I could help you out with old equipment but have you looked at Audiogon-

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaaid2-dual-pa5060-ct5040-receivers

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaah53-onkyo-a-9050-integrated-amp-solid-state

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9gd7-yamaha-a-420-solid-state

I would also look at Dayton Audio Class D integrated amps. I own a DTA100a and it sounds very good for a $100 amp. It has a wide sound stage with a lot of air with punchy bass. The newer version is the DTA120BT. It sells for $126. It only has 1 input. He would need a cheap phono preamp however. Pro-Ject makes one for $79 but there are cheaper.

https://www.daytonaudio.com/category/198/finished-amplifiers

Here is a cheap integrated that is similar to the Dayton but cheaper with possibly better specs, also includes tone controls-

https://www.amazon.com/BT20A-Bluetooth-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated/dp/B07BQC7GNL/ref=sxin_10_trr_537344_1?crid=26UYWN166SSCZ&cv_ct_cx=integrated+amplifier&dchild=1&keywords=integrated+amplifier&pd_rd_i=B07BQC7GNL&pd_rd_r=896c829f-da43-44f9-a032-0d57ac18403e&pd_rd_w=eloVF&pd_rd_wg=zKcof&pf_rd_p=9e83fe05-f489-4685-b4af-0db60cbe7c15&pf_rd_r=0QC73AMNK6FZNM8BAH9P&qid=1624375367&sprefix=integrated+amp%2Caps%2C204&sr=1-2-5519553e-2baa-451e-af83-b0156e5c6669

Thanks so much for all of those leads! I’ll share them with my nephew as well as the Bantam you shared below. Much appreciated!

vhiner · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 05:58 am »

Quote from: steve k on 22 Jun 2021, 05:02 pm

Send him to Record Exchange. I've outfitted my kids with starter systems from RE over the years. You might be able to pick up a piece at a time if you keep looking. It's mostly 70's gear. Nothing wrong with that.
Steve

Steve, that’s where I got my nephew the Philips back in 2019. Guess what? I talked to Jean and he said ALL of those delicious vintage 70s and 80s integrated were snapped up during the past year and the prices have doubled. He only has one decent one currently in stock and wants $600 for it now. Times they are a changin’….

vhiner · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 05:59 am »

Quote from: popthinker on 22 Jun 2021, 06:18 pm

My extras at that price point run to turntables and CD players, but let's all check our stuff and see if we can help.

Surely someone can pay it forward?

Much appreciated! Thanks for the good Karma!

vhiner · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 05:59 am »

Quote from: dpatters on 22 Jun 2021, 07:39 pm

Look for a used PS Audio Sprout. Phono and Bluetooth built in.

Don P.

Good idea!

vhiner · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 06:00 am »

Quote from: Scott F. on 22 Jun 2021, 10:44 pm

Hiya Vance,

I've got a couple Class D, integrated chip amps I'd be willing to donate. Nothing fancy but they work. Somewhere in the 15-20WPC range.

Ping me if you are interested.

Awesome, Scott! I’ll drop you a line!

vhiner · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 06:02 am »

Quote from: charmerci on 23 Jun 2021, 01:22 am

I also recommend the SMSL SA50 at $55. Even though it only has one input and no phono, it's has good power and sounds damn good at that price.

Thanks for the idea and the price is right, but he’s gotta have phono, an input for his blue tooth device and he also likes headphone listening at night when his housemates have gone to bed.

vhiner · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 06:06 am »

Thanks to everyone for chipping in on this one. I knew I could count on GAS for good will and practical help. St. Louis is lucky to have the GAS circle. Lots of great ideas and possibilities here. I’ll talk to David (my nephew) and will post what we end up doing. Meantime, feel free to pass along ideas as they occur to you and PM me if you’re more comfortable with that.

Scott F. · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 12:50 pm »

Vance

I didn't realize he needed a phono input. Here are a couple choices from Craiglist

NAD 7140 - $250
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/chesterfield-nad-7140-stereo-receiver/7325249687.html

Mits DAR-20 - $250
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/saint-louis-mitsubishi-dar-20-stereo/7326860823.html

If I needed an integrated, I'd grab that NAD in a heartbeat.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 03:29 pm »

Both Pro-Ject and Music Hall make phono preamps that sell for about $80.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-qOko4VJN4Kd/p_252PBMMB/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-MM.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=75621861865&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439160225&awdv=c&awug=9019558&gclid=CjwKCAjwt8uGBhBAEiwAayu_9ch_9mWQiBN09KLxuRwt-VBasvuQ7DMdScxbqnDCbzosfPx1_E8xxxoCOHsQAvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/Music-Hall-Mini-Phono-Pre-Amplifier/dp/B00S1GG9LE/ref=asc_df_B00S1GG9LE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242008838545&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3127118291098754801&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019558&hvtargid=pla-571226633276&psc=1

This Pro-ject for $99 may be a bit better-

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-78EFAGhdKo3/p_252PBDCB/Pro-Ject-Phono-Box-DC-Black.html

Also consider an Emotiva XPS-1 phono preamp. My son uses one and it sounds very good. You can pick them up used for around $100.

Also consider the Schiit Mani for $129. It is supposed to sound very good.

JCarney · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 03:37 pm »

I may still have a stand alone Rotel phono I would be happy to donate to the young man. My son is on vacation currently, and won't be back in Minneapolis for a couple more weeks. If it is still at his place, I would be happy to send it along to him.

JCarney

vhiner · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 07:15 pm »

Quote from: Scott F. on 23 Jun 2021, 12:50 pm

Vance

I didn't realize he needed a phono input. Here are a couple choices from Craiglist

NAD 7140 - $250
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/chesterfield-nad-7140-stereo-receiver/7325249687.html

Mits DAR-20 - $250
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/saint-louis-mitsubishi-dar-20-stereo/7326860823.html

Honestly, if it were me, I’d buy the NAD, too. I recommended plenty of those NADs back in the day and never heard a bad one..they also hold up well. All the other options are also very intriguing.

If I needed an integrated, I'd grab that NAD in a heartbeat.

vhiner · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Jun 2021, 07:16 pm »

Quote from: JCarney on 23 Jun 2021, 03:37 pm

I may still have a stand alone Rotel phono I would be happy to donate to the young man. My son is on vacation currently, and won't be back in Minneapolis for a couple more weeks. If it is still at his place, I would be happy to send it along to him.

JCarney

Thanks SO much. I think we’ve got enough options locally, but I’ll discuss it with him. Really appreciate your willingness to do that!