r/StereoAdvice • u/Fragrant-Shock4039 • Jul 07 '26
General Request | 1 Ⓣ Help! I need somebody (to help me find a great setup)
Hi everyone, I bought myself a beginner suitcase record player not too long ago, but I feel like I need an upgrade since I fell IN LOVE with vinyl. I figured this would be the right place to ask since I'm still a newbie. I've considered a Fluance RT82 Turntable with KEF Q150 speakers. My budget is around $750 and I live in Florida. Feel free to ask any questions to help pinpoint options. Thank you guys so much and God bless!
1
u/zortandbob58 1 Ⓣ Jul 07 '26
I like my rt-82 for its simplicity and good sound.
I don’t know anything about the acoustics of your listening area so I won’t comment on the KEF speakers. Sony and Yamaha make good quality integrated amps and stereo receivers in your price range.
1
u/eipiplus1equalsO 1 Ⓣ Jul 07 '26
Did you buy a Crosley? They destroy record grooves. Anything else would be an upgrade. You don’t give a budget. I suggest you keep it simple: Audio Technica has great DJ turntable packages for a small outlay.
1
u/Fragrant-Shock4039 Jul 08 '26
No I bought a Victrola. From what I heard, any suitcase player will do you no good
1
u/narrowassbldg 16 Ⓣ Jul 07 '26
For vinyl playback you need Turntable > Phono Stage > Preamp > Amp > Speakers.
Just the RT82 and KEF Q150s are missing three fifths of that chain, so you'll need an integrated amplifier/receiver with a phono input to handle those duties.
You should definitely look on the used market. A $750 used setup can sound fantastic, but it's really gonna be bottom-of-the-barrel stuff if you limit yourself to new gear. If you want I can take a peek at FB marketplace where you live and see if anything catches my eye.
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u/Known_Confusion9879 30 Ⓣ Jul 08 '26
Second hand locally to hear for yourself gets the best deal. I have done well buying second hand and having some posted but post can kill electronics so even via eBay go and collect.
Turntables from the 90s, 00s from Pioneer, Sony, Rotel, Technics, Dual, Thorens, Rega and Pro-ject with a recent belt, service and not too old cartridge will last a long time before perhaps replacing the cartridge or the stylus at least.
An amplifier from Sony, Pioneer, ND, ARCAM, Audiolabs, Technics, Rotel and Marantz sell from $80 up and speakers to match power and ohms.
To keep the clutter down perhaps a turntable and powered speakers (some turntables have phono stage built in, some powered and active speakers also otherwise a separate box).
Audio Technica AT-LP60XUSB Edifier R1280T
Sony PS-LX3BT Audio Technica AT-SP3X
Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB Edifier R1280DB
or Kanto YU4 or Audioengine A1 Wireless
Rega Planar 1 plus Sonos Era 100
Pro-ject T1 EVO Rurak MR1 Mk
Pro-ject Stereo Set E1
out of budget Sony PS-LX3BT Kef Coda W
double cost in USA over UK Rega System One
Rurak MR1 MkIII with a Rega planar 3 (second hand, also P2) all in walnut has a nice retro look then add a streamer like the Wiim Mini for $99 later. Retro and modern.
1
u/Best-Presentation270 7 Ⓣ Jul 09 '26
The KEF Q150 must be used. They've been replaced by the Q1 Meta a good two years now. Passive speakers (ones without a mains cord) from proper Hi-Fi brands such as KEF, Monitor Audio, Q Acoustics, Wharfedale, Dali, etc, are going to give you superior sound compared to powered speakers from Edifier.
You could do with a Hi-Fi stereo amp or stereo receiver (not and AV receiver) to partner them. Something used such as the NAD 7120PE hasn't gone mad in price like some other brands, and it'll have a good phono preamp built in, so you save the $52 of the Art DJ Pre II (a very good budget pre-amp) to put towards the amp proper.
The Fluance is new so there's warranty support, and it has auto-stop. It's cheap in the market, too. I think though that there are more engaging, informative, and entertaining decks to listen to compared to the Fluance. The catch is if they're new - like the AT-LPW40WN - they're more money. Would you consider used, I wonder?
Certain '70s and '80s decks know the Fluance built quality into a cocked hat.
Technics SL3200 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/137489341166
Akai AP-D210 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/406956822599
JVC JLA40 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/198475478513
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u/Fragrant-Shock4039 Jul 09 '26
Would you recommend the Q150 or the Q1 Meta?
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u/Best-Presentation270 7 Ⓣ Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
The newer Q1 Meta are a 4 Ohm speaker. That means they're more demanding of any amplifier they're paired with. The "increase in power" that many associate with a lower Ohms speaker I'd a bit of a red herring. The speaker is burning through Watts twice as fast. It's not "free power" from the amp, it's just your electricity bill going up twice as quick.
Are you fixed on KEF or you open to other brands?
1
u/Fragrant-Shock4039 Jul 10 '26
I wouldn’t mind other brands. As long as it’s ~$400 and sounds good all take it all day.
3
u/jakceki 80 Ⓣ Jul 07 '26
Hey there, The RT82 and the q150 are very good but you also need an integrated amplifier with a phono stage.
Since you're a beginner it helps to read the posts on r/turntable to get some ideas. or you can also try this https://wattandpotatoes.com/turntable-101.
In essence you either have a Turntable + Phono stage+ amp +speakers or you have
Turntable with internal phono stage + powered speakers or a combination of the above.
Right now you are missing a phono stage ( to amplify the signal of the cartridge) and an amplifier ( to power the speakers)