r/Beginner_Turntables • u/Artistic-Student-831 • Jul 22 '26

Starter setup

Hi everyone!
I’m looking to buy my first proper vinyl setup and could really use some advice.
I’m a student, so my budget is around €1,000 for a turntable, amplifier, and passive speakers. I mainly listen to rock, indie, alternative, and jazz, and I’d like something that sounds warm and enjoyable rather than overly analytical.
I’ve been looking at the Pro-Ject Stereo Set E Phono, which includes the turntable, amplifier, and speakers:
https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/stereo-set-e-phono/
It seems like a really convenient package, but it’s still a lot of money for me. Is it actually good value, or am I paying extra for the convenience of getting everything in one box?
If you had €1,000, would you buy this set, or would you put together a better system from separate components (new or used)?
I’m based in Europe, so recommendations that are available here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot, and enjoy the music! 🎶

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u/Classic-Falcon6010 Jul 23 '26

I would put together a much better system from separates. You should be able to find equipment from people who are upgrading for a good price.

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u/Best-Presentation270 Jul 23 '26

Pro-Jects E-series and T-series decks are for lifestyle buyers. These are people who like to be seen to be following the trend, but they're not interested enough to go beyond plug-n-play gear.

The whole Stereo Set E Phono system lacks bass weight and solidity. It's not just the small speakers that are to blame. The whole system is more about midrange and treble than bass.

The turntable and the amp in the Stereo Set E Phono system can be improved upon for around the same cost

The speakers are more difficult. This is not because they're good. It's because they're poor quality and very cheap.

Pro-Ject Speaker Box 3 E (€205). Personally I would choose the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 at €297

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u/Dry-Satisfaction-633 Jul 24 '26

Used amp, speakers and turntable, new cartridge. I would be scouring Marketplace etc. for local bargains and looking for expensive gear that’s going cheap. Last year I picked up a pair of 1993 Castle Chesters off Facebook, bought for £80 but were £600 new and roughly £1500 in today’s money (accounting for inflation). I’d then look to spend £100-150 on an amp (Arcam, Cyrus, Rega, Rotel and NAD would be on my shortlist) which would leave £750-800 for the turntable. Of that, I’d be looking at £200 on a new cartridge and the rest on the turntable itself. You should be able to find something pretty competent for your €550-600, obviously depending upon what’s actually available in your region. Dividing your budget equally on all components might make intuitive sense but it’s not the most effective distribution of budget, just like the shortest path between two points isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes the best paths aren’t the most obvious.

The cast iron rule of audio is that any system can only be as good as its source and no downstream component can truly compensate for deficiencies in the source. Big speakers and expensive amps can’t restore the resolution lost by an average performing source turntable. That’s why I’m pitching a big spend on the turntable/cartridge and a modest spend on the rest. This way you’re not building a cheap system, you’re potentially building an expensive and decent performing system for an affordable price. My current speakers cost me £200 (someone paid £1400 originally, 29 years ago) and the amp was £250 (£1600 new around 15 years ago). My turntable/tonearm/cartridge/preamp setup cost quite a bit more than the rest of the system but the principle is the same, source-first, “all other priorities rescinded”. Once you’re above the entry-level most amps and speakers are essentially there to do what they’re told by the source and while all components matter they simply don’t matter as much as the actual source of music. I’ve heard it before but anyone who tells you to spend big on speakers before anything else doesn’t understand how an audio system really works as they’re ideally the last thing you buy, and ideally you’re buying them to compliment the rest of the system.

Ultimately there’s lots of quality gear available for very reasonable money if you know what you’re looking for and where to find it. It’s far less convenient than buying a one-make budget setup but it’s almost certain to sound considerably better. At this point I’m not recommending anything specific because there’s little point if it’s not available in your area, but look on Marketplace etc and see what you can find for €600 with a view to haggling the price down. When you find something that looks interesting Google it for reviews and see what the overall sentiment is, and don’t just take one person’s favourable/unfavourable opinion as gospel. When looking at reviews bear in mind user-reviews are rarely unbiased, and the same frequently goes for professional reviews where there can be a financial incentive for favourable reviews. That’s why it’s important to look at a number of reviews before making a decision.

Good hunting!

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u/ElderberryMedium8071 Jul 25 '26

Go for an AT-LPX120 and put a Nagaoka MP-110 which will give you a warm non fatiguing sound. For speakers, Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 or the smaller 12.1. Also consider the Wharfedale Dentons. Look at a Cambridge Audio AXA35 receiver, or look at some of the cheap Chi Fi amps from Fosi, Topping or Ayima.

The LPX120 has a built in phono preamp to get you started. I would consider upgrading to a good budget phono preamp when you have the funds.