The cost-effective upgrade
This all-analogue stereo system is a nice step forward. It combines components from two of our favourite British hi-fi manufacturers, Q Acoustics and Cambridge Audio, resulting in a dynamic and wide sound. It’s the perfect combination to work with a turntable (without a built-in phono preamp).
Q Acoustics
The speakers
Q Acoustics 3020i
The Q Acoustics 3020i is one of our favorite pairs of entry-level bookshelf speakers. The UK-based audio company released the 3020i in 2018, and it’s essentially an all-round better version of the previous 3020.
They’re a little taller and have a 25 percent deeper chamber, which gives the 3020i noticeably more powerful bass despite its smaller size. Since they’re a few years old now, you can often snag a pair of 3020i bookshelf speakers for under $300.
Cambridge audio expert
The amplifier
Cambridge Audio AXA35
The AXA35 is one of the most affordable amplifiers you can buy. It is a two-channel integrated amplifier with a built-in phono preamp, giving you the flexibility to add a turntable to your setup later.
Plus, it can deliver 35 watts per channel, which is more than enough to drive a good pair of entry-level bookshelf speakers like the Q Acoustics 3020i. The downside is that the AXA35 doesn’t support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so you’ll need another component if you want a streaming system.
