High-Fidelity for Under £10K: Building a Magical Vinyl-Based System
/Hello fellow Hi-Fi enthusiasts, and welcome to another blog from Audio T Southampton. As some of you may remember, a few months ago I shared a three-part series on systems under £2,000. Now we’re upping the ante (and the budget) to £10,000. So, without further ado, let’s dive in…
Breaking It Down
Before we begin, I’d like to explain the premise of these blogs. A question we’re frequently asked in-store is: “I have an £XXXX budget—what should I get?”
These blogs aim to explore that question by offering a few options to consider. Each instalment focuses on one of the three primary sources: records, CDs, and streaming (in that order). Naturally, these are personal recommendations—selected for sound quality, utility, or aesthetics—but nothing is set in stone. You can swap out or replace any component to suit your preferences.
In this first part, we’re going back to the roots of Hi-Fi and looking at what we can build around the timeless turntable.
The Original
I’ll admit, narrowing down the choice of turntables was difficult—there are so many excellent options available. But the tighter budget did help focus the decision. That’s why the first pick is none other than the Rega Planar 8, fitted with the all-new Rega Nd7 MM cartridge, coming in at £2,345*.
A Rega Planar 8 in black with the nd7 cartridge fitted; what a beauty!
The Planar 8 is a superb turntable and the first in Rega’s lineup to introduce their striking skeletal frame, built from a Tancast 8 foam core for rigidity and low weight. It features the excellent RB880 tonearm and a triple-layer glass platter that adds even more stability—the platter is, in fact, the heaviest part of the turntable!
It also comes with the Neo Mk2 PSU, an external power supply designed to drive the motor cleanly with minimal interference.
For the second option, I’ve selected the Michell TecnoDec, paired with the T2i tonearm and Michell Cusis E MC cartridge—a lovely combination at £2,700. Like the Planar 8, the TecnoDec also features a skeletal-style frame, though its motor is uniquely placed separately from the plinth, sitting just beside the deck. It also includes a handy record clamp, which helps keep your vinyl flat and firmly in position during playback.
The Main Hub
Next up: the brains (and brawn) of the system—the amplifier. Choosing just two amplifiers from the wide selection we carry felt like a monumental task, but I managed it. Let’s take a look at the contenders.
First is a two-box combo: the Advance Paris X-P700 pre-amplifier and Advance Paris X-A160 EVO power amplifier, each priced at £1,500. Together, they form a truly formidable pairing.
The Advance Paris A-160 EVO power amp is stunning to watch!
The X-A160 delivers a robust 160W into 8 ohms via Class A/B amplification. It also boasts a lovely pair of analogue VU meters—mesmerising to watch while enjoying your favourite albums. The X-P700 pre-amp is equally impressive, featuring a range of inputs and functions, including an MM/MC phono stage, adjustable headphone amplification, and much more.
The second option is a one-box solution: the superb Naim Nait XS 3 integrated amplifier, priced at £2,499*. This amplifier does it all—with elegance. It features a beautifully smooth control layout, and delivers a solid 70W into 8 ohms. The Nait XS 3 offers a lovely touch of warmth to your system, ensuring your listening experience is engaging and comfortable.
The naim nait xs3 is visually calming..
Musical Windows Into The Soul
The acoustic energy ae509 in walnut are so lovely
And now, we reach the most room-defining component in any system: the speakers. Whether floorstanding or standmounted, it’s crucial to find speakers that work well in your room and complement your system. Narrowing it down to just two pairs was no easy feat, but here are my picks.
First, the Acoustic Energy AE509 floorstanding speakers, priced at £2,400*. These 2.5-way speakers are outstanding, offering deep bass, sparkling treble, sweet vocals, and an impressively wide and well-separated soundstage. They’re also visually understated—slim and elegant, they almost disappear into the room once the music starts.
Second, the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 standmount speakers, starting at £2,595*. Don’t be fooled by their compact size—these speakers are magical. With their classic BBC-inspired design and lifelike vocal clarity, they create a studio-like listening experience. Available in various finishes, they’re small enough to fit discreetly into any space, but sonically, they make a big impact.
Wrapping Up Your System
Now for the practical stuff—cables and phono stages. No system works without the right connections, so it’s important to get this final piece right. In this vinyl-focused setup, we also need a quality phono stage to do justice to the turntables.
For speaker cable, I’ve selected Chord Company ShawlineX speaker cable, priced at £44 per metre. These cables are well-shielded to minimise interference and preserve clarity. With a typical 2.5m run per channel, including terminations, you’re looking at around £292*.
For the phono stage, I’ve chosen the Chord Electronics Huei MM/MC, priced at £1,150*. This compact, high-performance unit supports both MM and MC cartridges and is easy to tuck away. Paired with Chord Company ShawlineX ARAY 2RCA-2RCA interconnects (from £230* at 0.5m), you’ll have a clean and transparent link between your deck and amplifier.
The Chord electronics huei phono stage may be small, but it’s certainly mighty!
Time To Accessorise!
Now onto the optional upgrades. None of these are essential, but all will enhance your system in one way or another.
First up are IsoAcoustics Orea isolation feet, from £45 each. These can replace the existing feet of equipment, improving vibration control and isolation.
Next, the mighty REL T/7X subwoofer, priced at £999. A sub can help fill in lower bass frequencies your main speakers might miss—or take the bass from your favourite Prodigy track and make it hit even harder. Subwoofers often (somehow magically) improve midrange and treble performance too, making everything sound cleaner and more open.
The rel t/7x is a brilliant sub that will put a smile on your face.
the isotek v5 polaris mains distribution strips are fantastic, and a worthy upgrade.
Lastly, something many people overlook: mains conditioning. Not cleaning your mains supply with a cloth, but electrically—removing noise from your power line. For this, I recommend the Isotek V5 Polaris 6-way mains distribution strip, priced at £695* (available in various plug types). It filters the power coming into your system and isolates each socket, preventing electrical interference between components.
Time To Relax
And with that, we wrap up the first blog in this new three-part series! To summarise: we’ve explored vinyl-based systems under £10,000, featuring turntables, amplifiers, and speakers, along with the cables and accessories that bring everything together. Every product mentioned pairs well, creating a rich, analogue sound—but of course, you can mix and match according to your taste.
If you’re interested in any of these items, please contact your nearest Audio T store to find out more or to book a demonstration.
Thanks for reading
Tiago - Audio T Southampton
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*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE
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