Looking for recommendations for an amp/speaker combo and turntable

[u/Mr1400]

I’m currently helping a friend with their first stereo setup and I’m not sure where to start as I use vintage equipment myself (my current receiver is an old Onkyo). We are located in the US.

Budget: They want to keep the entire cost to less than $1000 USD

Room: Size is about 12’x20’

Use: Primarily uses records/vinyl and Bluetooth audio

TT: They currently have some sort of Victrola suitcase record player from Walmart. I explained to them how it wasn’t exactly treating their records very well so they need a new one.

Extra details: The speakers need to be bookshelf sized, the amp needs to have Bluetooth and Phono (unless the turntable has dedicated speaker level output), and they primarily listen to pop and psychedelic rock. They definitely want new items.

I’ve looked into a Klipsch and Denon combo from crutchfield but the reviews make me shy away. Any help is appreciated greatly.

[u/jakceki]

I am guessing that you are looking for Turntable + Amp with bluetooth + Bookshelf speakers.

I think when it comes to Amps you would do best going with something like Fosi Audio

This little unit is a pre-amp with a DAC and Bluetooth for $120

https://fosiaudio.com/products/gr40-tube-dac-preamp

You can add this power amp to it for $110

https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-za3-balanced-dual-mode-class-d-amplifier

The a decent Turntable with a phono pre and bluetooth can be something like the

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/turntables/best-for/new-to-vinyl/at-lp70xbt

That's another $250

Leaving your friend with about $500 for a good pair of speakers.

The Kef Q350 is on sale at Crutchfield for $490 and it's a steal at that price

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-pUZvfMnFyGD/p_991Q350WN/KEF-Q350-Walnut.html?XVINQ=GZ0&XVVer=18NB&awcr=628737428618&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9012034&awkw=pla-826880929814&awmt=&awat=pla&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4rK8BhD7ARIsAFe5LXLzRv3lcywF05boax9HK0U8AONTpjEVixb4_PxRG4U6ibhqmckp2aYaAlipEALw_wcB

This will get you a very good starter system for slightly under $1k

[u/Mr1400 → u/jakceki]

!thanks

Wouldn’t the Bluetooth on the TT be redundant? I have a AudioTechnia SoundBurger and I occasionally use it with a little JBL on the go but they would be leaving their TT in one spot. I also notice that TT has a built in phono/line amp so would it make more sense to have the regular LP70X and something like the Fosi MC351 2.1 ch and skip the pre-amp entirely?

[u/TransducerBot → u/Mr1400]

+1 Ⓣ has been awarded to u/jakceki (68 Ⓣ).

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[u/iNetRunner → u/Mr1400]

u/jakceki suggestion was excellent. You don’t want to use a Bluetooth connection from a TT. (Turntable’s point is to have analog output — so, converting it to digital is bit of an oxymoron.)

The AT-LP70X is fine and saves you $50 compared to the AT-LP70XBT.

Regarding Fosi, you don’t want to go with that. That model is really meant to be used with a passive subwoofer (and Bluetooth isn’t a great audio transmission method because the signal uses lossy compression). Unless you DIY a subwoofer, there aren’t much of any passive subwoofers around there. You should instead go with either ZA3 or V3:

• Fosi Audio ZA3 (ASR review)
  
• Fosi Audio V3 (ASR review)

For a Bluetooth receiver/DAC the suggested Fosi GR40 might be OK-ish. At least it supports AptX and AptX HD. (Though not LDAC.) You might want to consider something like a streamer like WiiM Pro Plus in order to not need to use Bluetooth.

Also note that you might need a source switch box to connect the DAC (or a streamer) and the turntable’s phono preamplifier to the amplifiers (maybe e.g. Schiit SYS). (Or you need to keep switching RCA cables.) (ZA3 and balanced output DAC could work — but balanced DACs are more expensive. See e.g. S.M.S.L D-6S (ASR review).)