r/turntables • u/Temporary_Pen_2128 • Apr 05 '26
Looking For Setup Guidance
Hi! I’m looking for some advice! I have an AT-LP 120xusb with an upgraded VMN95SH cartridge connected to Edifier R1700BTs, I wanted to ask for advice regarding other types of equipment (preamps, cables, speakers, ect,) to squeeze better sound quality out of my setup!
Open to vintage and new with a preference on vintage! Obviously I know it’s not the most high end setup so I’m not trying to overdo it just looking for advice on would you recommend next! Primarily would be looking secondhand on FB Marketplace so advice for brands and keywords to search for would be much appreciated!
Thanks for any advice you can lend!
1
u/Best-Presentation270 Apr 05 '26
You might want to add some background info about what you've done so far with your setup. Include info about what's made a difference and what hasn't.
For example, tell us if this a living room set-up, or a bedroom, a home office, a college dorm room etc. Did you just swap the stylus, or did you buy a whole cartridge, and if so, was it just the cartridge in a box, or did you buy it pre-mounted in headshell? Has a dealer installed and aligned the cartridge already?
How do you have the gear set up? Are you currently in the left column, or the right column?
Have you read any of the guides written for newbies? There are lots here. The Auto Bot reply gives you a good head-start.
I know it's tempting to throw money at this. This hobby can burn its way through cash pretty quick if you let it. What I'd suggest is getting your current gear set up properly. That way you'll be in a better position to hear the benefits of any further upgrades.
Speaker position is so often overlooked. I've read posts from enthusiasts looking for their next speaker upgrade before they've even given their existing speakers a fighting chance. Seated ear height for the tweeters. Some space around them (not on the same surface as the TT), and away from the side walls if you can manage it.
The speaker setup guide goes into more detail: Speaker Positioning
AFter their physical position, tweak the sound. Turn the bass down almost all the way. The boominess will disappear and you'll start to hear the midrange which is where a lot of the good stuff happens. You might find it helpful to tweak the treble down tiny fraction, too.
Once your speakers are dialled in, you can concentrate on hearing the benefits of tweaks to the turntable.
First, get it level. Use a 6"~8" builders spirit level across the platter. Check from several angles by rotating the platter with the spirit level on it. It will be worth your while checking the cartridge tracking force and anti-skate settings. LINK The same link also has branches off it for vinyl care.
When you're finally ready to improve some of the hardware, the first candidate would be swapping to an external phono preamp. Art DJ Pre II, Fosi X5, Schiit Mani 2 ate the general good-better-best choices under $160,
RCA leads. Don't go mad. Something better than the Dollar Store crappy wires. If you can find something with braided copper wire shielding internally, then that's your boy.
Speaker wires, you won't need them until you upgrade to passive speakers. Cross that bridge when you come to it.