Cheap Amp for new Deck?

Gents,
well my project to get a taste of vinyl via a cheap "bedroom" set-up is moving along nicely - I now have a pro-ject Debut III that has an auto turn-off (crucial as I'll probably fall asleep to this lark.) So now I just need a cheap amp with a MM Phono stage. There's a couple on ebay at the mo at around the £50 - £100 mark (see I really did mean cheap )
An Audiolab 8000A or an Arcam Alpha 7?
Now, maybe they're both a tad rubbish, I dunno, if they are then so be it - but if you boys reckon one is a bit better than the other then I'd certainly value your input!
Thanks alot, looking forward to getting into this... I've bought tons of vinyl already - waiting to be spun - so CHEAP !

Osc.

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Cyrus Two/One! GREAT phono stage.

 

What speakers would you be using? Or is that an unknown too? I picked up a technics SU-A900A MKII for 50 quid, with a decent seperate phono stage this would be not too bad. Also worth considering the Rotels and some NADs

 

The speakers are some Tannoy bookshelfs.
I'll have a gander for a Cyrus 1/2...

 

Cyrus One's look plentiful and cheap - if the phono stage on them is decent I might grab one - you reckon it'd be better than the (more modern) Arcam 7?

 

I don't know for sure, but the Cyrus is a lively beast with lots of pace, just right for these Tannoy monitors. The Arcam will sound more 'safe', less explicit.

The phono stage I thought was 'as good as' decent stand-alone units of > €400.

Just my €0,02...

 

Yes the cyrus 2 with psx is pretty good, especially into slightly warmer sounding speakers like tannoys and also as its vinyl as well. Could well be a worthwhile punt.

 

But the One is also good, depends on what you want to spend. One is good, Two is better, Two w/ PSX is VERY good...

 

What's the phono stage like on a Pioneer A400? You could get one of those for that cash.

£100 for an Audiolab 8000A sounds a bit cheap to me, it might be a struggle to get one for that, and not really worth it. Don't know the phono stage but it's generally slightly bright, with what can easily be a harsh top end. Good for detail but not very musical.

 

Not very good...

Agreed. The phono stage is very good however, but you must like the 'matter of fact' music making of this amp.

 

You might get Quad 33/303 for that money or just a tad more, scour the local ads. I paid £50 for one not to long since. Alternatively a Sansui AU-9900 could be attainable at the same price. Don't be put off by the age of these components they are excellent sounding pieces of kit, built like a tank, and repairable. The Sansui would cost thousands were it built today!

 

Won't Quad 33/303 with Tannoy sound a bit too 'pipe & slippers'?

 

Perhaps it will be easy to listen to, the Quads are very good amplifiers especially in the context of a bedroom system with inexpensive components. Personally I find bright hard to listen to, and would stay away from Cyrus and Audiolab like the plague, but that's just me

 

Thanks for those tips lads... I'll go see if there's any of those Quads or Sansui's knocking around the 'net. Cheers again.
Osc.

 

I don't find Cyrus really bright, just alive and with lots of PRaT.

 

It's all a matter of taste really! I like bananas you like tomatos!

 

I like both...

 

Some interesting stuff here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SANSUI-AU-101...5839181895QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mission-Cyrus...5837936130QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cyrus-2-ampli...5836768220QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Creek-CAS-404...5838040774QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Creek-Audio-S...5838833952QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Naim-Nait-1-A...oryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/naim-nait-1-t...oryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-R-CAMBRIDGE...oryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-R-Cambridge...oryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Some good stuff there, Quads will probably be over £100, you might get a Nait 1 for your money, they've got a lovely phono stage. The Creek is good, I've owned and loved one, as is the AR60. I had one in my system for a while and it was a very nice piece of kit. I picked a couple of Cyrus's but I think you can do better.....

 

thanks very much mate! I'll look at all of them - reckon the Naits would break the budget but the creeks & sansui's look very interesting.......

 

The Creek is great. The Naits sometimes go for less than a ton, but would probably need a recap to achieve their best. Don't write off the A60, I was seriously impressed with the one I borrowed recently