What stereo amplifier/receiver?

I think it's a great choice for your needs it should pair well with the speakers and delivery what you want.
In todays market, I don't think there is much focus on stereo receivers. You can see power ratings rise, and the weight of the unit, and prices go down (class D excluded). The focus often is not on sound quality. In my opinion, you chose wisely.
 
Thanks for the comments. Seems to me the KEF 101s are actually a high quality version of LS 3/5a. They have gorgeous high and mid ranges and not such great bass. KEF 101s along with a high quality sub would be a very presentable combination. That's pretty good going for a bookshelf speaker. You still find them for sale as used vintage equipment.

They'll take a lot of power too. I wouldn't be concerned about driving them (to moderate volumes at least) with my Mark Levinson (200 Watt RMS/Channel) power amp.

Any waveform can be simulated with enough sine waves. And producing lots of sine waves take lots of power. Thus more power is better.
The Audio Pro B2-50 was the sub my dealer paired with the Kef 101 It was a bit faster responding with two smaller 165mm drivers in a 50 litre cabinet instead of of a 12" pulp cone unit in a too small a box chuffing and leaking distorted midrange tones.

Screenshot 2025-02-04 101417.webp
 
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Arco= Brain Dead

I meant T27 for the little plastic Kef tweeter on earlier models. I had T33 on my mind as I am sadly now considering parting out my 103.2 monitor driver components.


kef t27.webp
 
Yes it is special. As Pablo already mentioned, most phono cartridges have an output that is too low for the standard "line level" inputs. The phono input needs to have higher gain.

The second and most important difference is that when vinyl is recorded, there is an equalization curve applied to the signal. The goal is to narrow the overall width of the groove to make it easier for the stylus to track the groove. Low frequencies are attenuated and high frequencies are boosted. The phono pre-amp contains circuitry that applies the curve in reverse so that the full balance of frequencies is restored. The accuracy of this is critical to good sound reproduction.

600px-RIAA-EQ-Curve_rec_play.svg.png


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

Ed
This is something I discovered when I plugged my turntable into the mic input of my old Mac to digitize my old records. I made some very tinny sounding CDs until I learned to apply an equalization filter first.
 
Delivered and signed for

First need to put cabinet together when I get a moment
I'm hoping if you don't have speakers picked out your going to go with a sealed speaker cabinet. I've found that too many systems are ported and don't sound clean.
 
Under $1200

Decent wattage, w/input BT on board better, turntable, CD player. Subwoofer output. Maybe TV input in the future but don't really want a 5.1 or 7.1

Clean sound.

Open ideas, without Fabulous $27,000 Audio Brothers recommendations. :p :cool:
I bought a used pre/pro with XLR outs. In 2007 it was onkyo’s flagship. I got it used for $200.

I’m running it with some Crown PA amps and it’s a heck of a bargain. Sounds great with the Definitive Tech towers.
 
Is there anything special about phone input? Most all AV/Stereo receivers have various universal auxiliary inputs. Couldn't a phonograph input use one of these?

No, the phono input is the one that's different. The signal from the record player is much lower, and needs to be frequency corrected (20dB bass boost and 20dB treble cut).

All other line inputs are essentially the same.
 
Is there anything special about phone input? Most all AV/Stereo receivers have various universal auxiliary inputs. Couldn't a phonograph input use one of these?

Yeah, just need a phonograph with built-in phonostage or a separate one (30-100bucks).

No, the phono input is the one that's different. The signal from the record player is much lower, and needs to be frequency corrected (20dB bass boost and 20dB treble cut).

All other line inputs are essentially the same.
Bro, W T F. Yes.
 
May want to adjust shelves so more clearance above the receiver . I have 4+1/2 inches of clearance above the H/K AVR25 II . It's been a little over 25 years in that spot . The entertainment center has a glass door and open it about 6 inches for air to move around the receiver when in use and a little longer when off . Use it on average time of 2 > 2+1/2 hours through the 25+ years . Hope you get many years of enjoyment from your system .
 
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What are you using to dampen vibrations under the feet of the phono ? I use VIBRAPODS ( 1 + 2 ) for certain equipment .
 
Never mind I just found them at AMAZON . Tuneful Cables Sound Insolation Pads at a good cost . How about brand(s) speaker cable , interconnects , digital coax and others ? Speakers ?
 
Never mind I just found them at AMAZON . Tuneful Cables Sound Insolation Pads at a good cost . How about brand(s) speaker cable , interconnects , digital coax and others ? Speakers ?
At some point the human ear cannot detect a difference.

12 ga stranded https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758CSSDN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087M711GT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FVYXY0?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
 
Was into improvements with cables and doodads many years ago . Stereo shop would let me take home speakers , dacs , cables to try and let him know the experience . Also gave me discounts .
 
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