You've got $1,500. Help me set up a TT rig for my buddy.

ROHfan

I would like to help a close friend set up a vinyl system for his kid who has expressed interest in listening to vinyl. Figure the budget is $1,500 for everything from TT to speakers. Room size is 10x10 and the kid wants bookshelfs.

The idea would be to put together a respectable system right from the beginning, as opposed to starting out cheap and going through a bunch of upgrades to get to the really good sound. I'm trying to save my friend the mistakes I made in my audio journey when I should have taken the excellent advice I've received on this site. I'm not very well versed with TT gear so I need a little guidance.

Right off the top of my head, and if I were going to ever go vinyl, I'd go with something by Pro-Ject. Consistently good reviews and real cool looking, to boot. I believe they come with an Ortofon cartridge?

I would probably suggest a SS integrated with preouts for future external amplification. I'm thinking an HK3490 since I owned one once and loved the sound. Or maybe a Marantz SR4003. However, a nice tube integrated with phono input wouldn't be out of the question, but a decent one would may put him out of budget.

I also thought about suggesting going all separates but I don't have enough experience outside of my Mapletree tube pre. He'd need a phono stage, a tube pre, and then an amp. Any help here would be appreciated.

Speakers. The kid is 19 and would probably be happy with something a little more forward or bright sounding, and probably wouldn't mind something that looked cool, also. So I was thinking something by B&W or maybe Wharfdale Diamonds. Then I thought maybe I can set him up with some SDA 1Cs.

So, what do you think?

voltz

you could go vintage speakers, my secondary 2channel/PC room is 10x10 and I use PSB bookies that rock!
TT= Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC the new one $449
AMP = Cambridge Audio 651A Integrated amp (75WPC) = $600
Speakers = PSB Alpha B1's $300
then a bugle 2 kit phono preamp $149
Total $1499 ....but that doesn't leave anything for cables

check out these POLK speakers from ebay refurb's
http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct/Bookshelf-/_i.html?_fsub=160111219&_sid=686154689&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

hochpt21

voltz wrote: »

you could go vintage speakers, my secondary 2channel/PC room is 10x10 and I use PSB bookies that rock!
TT= Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC the new one $449
AMP = Cambridge Audio 651A Integrated amp (75WPC) = $600
Speakers = PSB Alpha B1's $300
then a bugle 2 kit phono preamp $149
Total $1499 ....but that doesn't leave anything for cables

check out these POLK speakers from ebay refurb's
http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct/Bookshelf-/_i.html?_fsub=160111219&_sid=686154689&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Pretty damn good right there.

dromunds

You could go with the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers if you wanted to save enough for some cables

chumlie

http://www.soundstagedirect.com/complete-analogue-system-1-audio-equipment.shtml

ROHfan

chumlie wrote: »

http://www.soundstagedirect.com/complete-analogue-system-1-audio-equipment.shtml

No preouts on the HK. Otherwise, looks pretty good to me.

madmax

dromunds wrote: »

You could go with the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers

I highly endorse these speakers. They are cheap but hold their own with MUCH more expensive ones, I picked up several pair just because they are so good and cheap.

voltz

there a few really good speakers to pick from...but I do think those Wharfdale Diamond 10.1 you mention at 1st are some of the best looker speakers out there for bookies...think they are a little more at $350 but they sure look nice!

Emlyn

There are many excellent bookshelf speakers available now in the under $300 price category. The Pioneer 22 speakers would be on my list. The Polk RTia3 too.

I would recommend a Marantz PM6005 integrated amp @ $699 new. It has both a phono preamp built in and can be used as a DAC too.

Instead of the Project Debut Carbon, I'd recommend stretching the budget a bit there to get the Esprit DC version @ $599 new as it has a nice acrylic platter and isn't too much more than the regular version.

If there's enough left over, I'd highly recommend getting one of the Record Doctor record cleaning machines. Listening to LPs that are not properly cleaned can be a real disappointment to someone getting into vinyl and cause a newbie to question their purchase of a record player altogether.

The only other thing required would be speaker cable. To start, I'd just recommend getting a spool of OFC copper 12 AWG speaker wire and build from there later on.

voltz

^^^^^^^
I have the acrylic platter upgrade for my Debut Carbon and agree if possible the Esprit DC is a better call and I also like your choice of the Marantz with built in phono as that saves some more $$$ over a separate phono amp, plus I see some Maranzt CD players for nice prices he could add later but would go nicely with the integrated amp.

It can be sort of fun to do this when it isn't your own money

pongshi

Technics SL-Q3 Direct drive Full Auto Quartz lock turntable - 150.00
Yamaha Cr-2020 receiver (excellent phono stage) - 400.00
Polk SDA-1C (pair) - 600.00

RamZet

How about this for a beginners system that is still "cool" ( i say cool b/c it can still stream music from the web).

B&W M-1 (500 a pair) - don't knock them until you hear them.
OR
B&W 686 (550 a pair)

Sonos Connect AMP (500)
Pro-Ject - Debut Carbon (400 at amazon)
Pro-ject makes a number of phono amps


I did a similar system for a client who was looking for a cheap and small system.
He did a VPI TT with B&W CM1's and a Sonos Connect AMP. I have to say it didn't sound bad at all.

RamZet

Also check out this new company Uturn (kickstart company).

http://uturnaudio.com/turntables

http://store.uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

dromunds

I see you can pick up Pioneer SP-BS41-LR speakers for $70 a pair with free shipping from Slickdeals.

seabeerob213

Any of you listen to the uturns? Sounds lime a route I would consider.

MrBuhl

seabeerob213 wrote: »

Any of you listen to the uturns? Sounds lime a route I would consider.

I haven't heard one, but they actually get a pretty good review as an entry level. Essentially being touted as the only serious quality entry level at that (sub $200) price point. Approaching the basic entry levels at the next level up even.

http://www.cnet.com/news/u-turn-orbit-an-audiophile-quality-turntable-for-179/

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/u-turn’s-remarkable-179-orbit-turntable-crosley-killer

No one's saying it's a mid-level TT, but the folks at Vinylengine have had good things to say as well.

seabeerob213

I was looking at the bfully decked out version, less than 5 bones. That ac adapter looks like a cheap cheasy cord that would come with an old off brand flip phone though.

MrBuhl

Yep - I don't think anyone would tell you you're getting an audiophile deck for a steal, but they are tempting, $350 for a decent entry turntable and a grado black - it certainly beats the entry level AT TT's if that's your starting point!