Absolute Newbie - Help - Buying from scratch with turntable

[reidy_uk2001]

Up to now I have always owned run of the mill micro systems that have been used playing mainly cds, however my cd collection has grown and I have also been left a collection of vinyl, so I have decided I need to invest in a decent system.

I have been looking around the internet, hoping a full system with a turntable would strike me as I have no experience with separates (or turntables for that matter!), I've noticed a few on the Richer Sounds website at a fairly decent price, but these are without a turntable.

I'm only looking to spend around £200 - £300 and dont really know where to start. I have browsed other newbie threads and I have found this forum very helpful, however most the deals people recommended have now expired!

I am tempted to visit richer sounds and admit I know nothing about separates and let them show me around, however I dont want to get talked in to buying rubbish! Plus I wouldnt mind shopping around for 2nd hand items if I only knew what brands and models I should be looking for.

I realise this post is fairly vague and probably really annoying for you guys who know a heck of a lot about the technicalities of hi fi systems, but all I'm am after is a push in the right direction.

Basically what amp, cdp, turntable and speakers I should be looking for that fall around the £300 bracket.

Thanks!

[hornydragon]

£300 you are going to struggle seriously buying new i would think a trip to Richersounds as well as a few other dealers may be a good idea but perhaps consider ex-demo or or some secondhand components you will sacrifice the conveiniance of a mini system but the sound is soo much better its not funny with even basic seperates

[alexs2]

As above,you're really going to struggle to find a complete new system at that sort of price.

It may well be worth your while considering buying used,as you will certainly get a lot more for your money,and a better system into the bargain.

I would begin by looking at Rega and Project for the turntable,as there are plenty around,and covering a wide range of prices,as well as offering good performance for the money.

As to the rest of the system,there are a huge number of products around on the used market,and it does make advising very difficult.....

[grimep]

I'm afraid buying new you have mutually exclusive requirements - "invest in a decent system" and only spend £200-300 so you are going to have to go down the 2nd hand route... a Project Debut retails for about £150 so perhaps you could pick one up for £100 - however it will prob have a worn stylus, so a new one might be a good idea.... integrated amps are 10 a penny and shouldn't go wrong, I'd budget £50 and see what I could find, make sure you get one with a phono stage... that leaves £150 for speakers, or £100 if you got a new Project. Should be able to get something like an old pair of Kef Cresta 2's for £50, and move up from there... you could end up with a pretty acceptable bit of kit for your £300

[la gran siete]

I WOULD AGREE with all the above. look in WEbay and you'll find loads of stuff
Amps Cyrus 1, Alchemist Kraken, Nad 3020( a classic) , Pioneer a400 ( also a classic). Rotel , Marantz , Denon etc. Just set your upper limit and bid on the one you fancy
turntable I would buy new ie Project debut ,
cd players again Rotel Nad and Marantz come to mind look in Ebay

Speakers i would opt for Kef Q range as they are very room friendly ie you can have them near wall ,well away from and even near a corner
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KEF-Q1-Speaker...QQcmdZViewItem

if i were you I'd save for the T/T and concentrate on the rest for the time being as your budget is vey restricted

[reidy_uk2001]

Cheers for all your advice guys, after sifting through some of the threads I realised my budget wasn't really going to cut it.
I think I'll definitely look for a brand new turntable and buy the rest 2nd hand, think that sounds like the best bet.
Thanks again for the quick responses, you do a great job of making this forum is really useful!