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So was looking at my system downstairs and was trying to decide which peice that may provide the best upgrade path. I currently have
Marantz 2216b rec
Marantz 6300 tt w/ Empire 1000ze/x cart
JBL L80 speakers
I like the setup but think it could do better but was unsure where to start.
I was thinking maybe a diff rec w a little more power. I tried the marantz hooked up and also a sansui 2000 and a hk 330b and like the marantz sound the best for my tastes.
Was thinking maybe an integrated amp and use the marantz as a pre amp? Any thoughts? Wanting to stay under $500 in price and open for suggestions.
Thanks in advance
Follow Ups:
Your phono stage in your receiver may be your weakest link. A used Cambridge 640P (100-$120) is a good place to start. I do not know anything about your cartridge, but a new $100 cartridge will probably improve the experience. A recent used NAD or Cambridge intergrated are faily inexpensive. I ended up building my own speakers from a plan and that was quite cost effective and they played beyond their price.
Just a few ideas...
If you have any sort of aesthetic or emotional attachment to the Marantz receiver, I'd agree with the recommendations for a phono preamp. That would give you the opportunity to upgrade without losing the receiver.However, if those L80 speakers are the ones I found when deciding on how to answer this question, they don't look like they'd be easy for your 16-watt receiver to drive. In some respects, I feel like with this system I'd start with the speakers.
Edits: 03/07/10
If you like the general sound of your components, then I also rec a phono stage. $500 buck will get you a decent preowned stage. When it comes to phono playback phono stages make a world of difference.
On Audiogon:
$450.00 Monolithic Sound PS-1 Phono hc-1 power supply
$550.00 Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE
I have the Monolithic and it's a nice little phono pre w/ many configuration options. I recently replaced it w/ a Linto. The Linto is about 1K preowned, but it was a night and day type change for the better. That said, I think the Monolithic or Lehmann would serve you well w/ both MM and MC configurations.
I'd start with a nice outboard Phono Stage, before upgrading your system
the sonic improvements a stage can make are truly incredible.
I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly. I assume you realize with an integrated amp you won't need a preamp. The preamp will be in the integrated. Or did you mean to add only a power amp to the Marantz?
In any case, I think your speakers, turntable and receiver are sort of balanced in quality, without one standing out as a weak link. I'd suggest starting with the one you think is the weak link. If you can't decide, maybe you could have a look at the Marantz PM-5003. It's an integrated with a phono stage and more power...and it's within your budget.
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