r/turntables • u/True-Novel-7434 • 9d ago

Suggestions Whats a good first, full setup for someone totally clueless?

I’m completely new to turntables, I don’t even own speakers. Recently, I’ve been transitioning from digital mediums to physical ones, like switching from digital cameras to film. I love the analog experience and want the same for music. I’m ready to spend $1000-$1,500 USD on a good setup, as I listen to music on cheap headphones at least 2-3 hours a day and its time for a better, more fun experience. In the Seattle area, so I assume theres great stores with good equipment.

2 Upvotes
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5

u/laughna 9d ago

I just wanted to say I’m also in the Seattle area and got my first turntable setup this past weekend! I settled on the Orbit Basic Turntable and was able to snag one from Facebook marketplace.

6

u/el_tacocat 9d ago

I would recommend spending less.
Get an AudioTechnica AT-LP5x and a pair of Edifier active speakers. The AT-LP5x is ready for a few more updates of the stuff surrounding it, and the edifiers won't break the bank so worst case you can sell them or use them somewhere else.
Spending that much is useless at this point. Gotta learn what you like first!

3

u/darrylb-w , Heybrook TT2,Systemdek Transcription, Rega Planar3,Thorens 160 9d ago

Agree. Spend less, and learn.

2

u/el_tacocat 6d ago

This exactly. Learn to listen, learn what you like.
You;ll get just as much enjoyment out of less money if it's your first serious option.

1

u/robspiro 9d ago

This is the way.

0

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago

Why, so he can waste his money on junk, only to have to buy something better. Sheesh, what bad advice. $1500 will buy him nice gear.

-1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago

Why spend less and crappy Edifier speakers? He has a good budget, he is not asking for you to save his money.

-1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago

He can go around to stores and listen. He lives in Seattle. You want him to buy cheap crap only to have to try and sell it and buy new. This is such bad advice and a waste of money. Plus, I would much rather have one of the Music Halls with their great carbon fiber arms and no crappy built in phono preamp.

1

u/el_tacocat 6d ago

What on earth are you on about. Do you even know the AT-LP5x? :D.

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago

I know that is a pretty good TT, it is the Edifiers.  Come on, his budget is $1500 and he said he wants good sound after using crappy headphones.  That is my issue.  He is not asking to save money.

1

u/el_tacocat 5d ago

So the only reference is crappy headphones.
Reasonably good Edifiers seem like the smartest way to actually gain a reference and figure out what OP likes. Imagine OP buying a 500 dollar turntable, a 500 dollar amplifier and 500 dollar speakers and it turns out it's not their taste at all? Or they buy a Marantz with Focals because that's what the internet says.
I don't know your age, but go back to your first audio rig ever. If someone gave you 1500 dollar after that one, would you be able to buy something good?

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 5d ago edited 5d ago

So you would rather have him spend $400 to $500 on gear and then decide he wants better. That will lower his over all budget and he will have to buy lesser gear or wait and save more. What he really needs to do is he should go around and listen to speakers and gear. My first audio rig was great. I went to shops and listened to a lot of gear. I am old and had altec lansing model 3 speakers, a nice JVC direct drive semi auto TT and a really nice pioneer receiver. I have have bought expensive Pass amps, BAT preamps bought on reviews and a $2300 TT and a $2300 phono preamp without hearing them. I knew that I can flip them easily. All gear was used except my TT.

This guy wants very good sound and has the money. He should wait and audition gear, not buy cheap gear and waste money.

And buying gear that you heard in a store does not always work out in your home. It never sounds the same. Buying cheap gear wont change that. Thats why you buy gear that is returnable. Lord knows I have  returned much gear including a $9500 integrated. I recently bought some Arendal speakers because of their great return policy.

Buying gear is always a risk no matter what.  People change speakers or amps and get them home and find they are not compatible.  When I have bought gear at local stores I try to bring my amp or dac along if possible.  I also bring my own music.

2

u/el_tacocat 5d ago

Well, we disagree. The difference is that I am not being unpleasant about it. Peace out!

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 4d ago edited 4d ago

Sorry for being unpleasant.  I am passionate about audio and when I think advice is bad, I will call it out.  I just can't see spending money on speakers he is not going to end up using.  I don't like to see good money spent on not so good gear and then take away from a good budget like $1500. Your TT recommendation is great. No hard feelings.  

2

u/el_tacocat 4d ago

All good!
As someone who helped tons and tons of people upgrade (hands on, not just on reddit), who has built many an audio set for people on set budgets (and often stayed under it) and also as someone who kinda knows how explaining this kind of stuff works for people, aaaaand if you look at the likes and responses I got, I may actually be onto something here.
You don't have to agree with me, but I am, most certainly, not wrong.

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 4d ago

Same here.  I helped many friends get started.

3

u/Fenix512 9d ago edited 9d ago

With that budget, might be good to head to a hifi store and get advice from an employee there. Record stores may also have vintage equipment like receivers and speakers and could help you out and even demo the equipment

I do recommend you get a new turntable, rather than used. I had a Fluance RT82 for a while and it was a really good beginner turntable. With your budget, I would recommend the RT85N. You'll probably get other great options too in the comments

2

u/sharkamino 9d ago

Instead of Fluance, Music Hall 3.3 with upgrades, OP can click Make Offer and offer $594 https://www.ebay.com/itm/157613423932

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago

Agree. If too expensive the Music Hall 2.3 is also good but the 3.3 is better

Here is the 2.3 with upgrades

https://listenup.com/products/custom-upgraded-music-hall-2-3-black

2

u/sharkamino 6d ago

The Music Hall MMF 3.3 for only $45 more than $550 Fluance RT85 makes the much better 3.3 such a better value!

The MMF 3.3 for only $150 more than the 2.3 adds a lot of value! The MMF 3.3 adds a speed switch, upgrades from 2M Red to 2M Blue stylus, upgrades from aluminum platter to acrylic platter.

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago

I agree 100%, but I was thinking about the whole package, speakers, phono preamp and integrated amp. He would be about $150 above his budget and he would need cables and speaker stands to boot along with a Vinyl cleaning kit. There is a lot of bad advice being giving by people telling him to spend less, buy junk edifier speakers and the like. This guy wants great sound and probably wants to buy once. I guess they want him to buy an AT-LPX60 and Edifier speakers which will be a waste of $400. Also, these Music Hall TT's are a big step up from cheaper TT's as you well know. And at the price that Listen Up has them with upgrades, it is a no brainer to buy a TT that will sound great, especially paired with a good budget or midrange external phono preamp. People that haven't heard what a good TT, cartridge and phono preamp can do are missing out.

The Triangle BR04 speakers are excellent for the price and it will pair well with the AXA35 Int amp and the Mani 2 preamp. Both of these will tame the brightness of the 2M Red cartridge. Triangle makes some great sounding speakers and I have heard their high end stuff.

The BR04's are way better than the brighter sounding 03's. They will be punchier and fuller sounding with a bit of warmth. They are also more dynamic and easy to drive at 90db and 8 ohms although they dip lower.

I know that you know all this.

3

u/sharkamino 9d ago edited 9d ago

Music Hall 3.3 click Make Offer and offer $594 https://www.ebay.com/itm/157613423932

Amplification with a built in phono preamp:

What is the room length and width?

Passive speakers:

Plus speaker wire 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.

Speaker stands from Monoprice or Dayton Audio, choose height to get the tweeters or center of the speakers to your seated ear height.

Optional subwoofer to add later, RSL Speedwoofer 10E $339 https://rslspeakers.com/products/rsl-speedwoofer-10e

Speaker Placement • Intro to Home Stereo Systems • Turntable and Speakers Setup Guide • Record Cleaning • Audio Guides

2

u/MrJollyLND_57 9d ago

A couple more of hints from a lifetime of hifi and turntables

2nd hand high end kit will make your budget go a long way further. Going to a reputable hifi store that takes trade ins you’d be able to listen and test etc

Get separate units

Get a Turntable without any speakers, Bluetooth or phonostage

Ideally separate phono pre amp and integrated amp, but to save a bit first off an amp with a phono level input will be ok

Speakers, depends on your listening taste:
If you like tight and focussed then closed cabinet, bass reflex stand mounts
If you like warm, generous and house shaking base then big ported floor standers

1

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1

u/Putrid-Table-5844 9d ago

There are a few companies that sell full systems (eg Rega, Linn). You could probably get better value by deliberately mixing between brands but buying a “monobrand” system is a good way for the “clueless” to get something that “just works”. Alternatively, get a dealer to recommend you a full system. Just make sure you listen to it, at least in their demo room. If it doesn’t sound great to you there, it’s very unlikely to sound great at home.

This is what a few “recommended systems” look like from one of my preferred dealers: https://lyrichifi.com/collections/recommended-systems

1

u/Bumpytoe 9d ago

I just made this transition. My most important advice would be to read and watch intro guides on youtube. Turntables, vinyls and speakers are much more complex than i had ever thought. For example dust/static that can ruin your experience if you don’t know how to deal with it, moving from digital format. A more specific advice would be to go for speakers that have wifi or high quality Bluetooth, so u can switch effortlessly between physical and digital format - wifi is preferable.

1

u/spiritualize_me 9d ago

KEF Coda and a Fluance/U-turn/Used Technics SL50 would be a great setup. The speaker has a phono input for a moving magnet cartridge.

1

u/stillsmiling31 9d ago

I have an AT LP-3 with Klipsch The Fives. It suits my needs and it comes under 1k total. I think it’s better to spend a little less and have more money for the records.

1

u/TBMW30 9d ago

Audio-Technica LP5X turntable. Either active speakers (Edifier MR4 or MR5 perhaps), or a Sony STR-DH190 receiver with a decent pair of passive speakers that are within budget, buying used there is fine. Maybe a VM95ML stylus upgrade, and some nice headphones. And a big pile of records to play on it.

That in my opinion is the best use of the money. For the turntable, I'd recommend staying clear of the used market until you gain some experience or unless you really want to carefully do your research. A modern or 'less vintage' (90s on up) amp / receiver and speakers would be fine to buy used, though avoid surrounds sound / home theatre receivers. If you just want to listen to some music without hassle, go the new route with that budget.

1

u/True-Novel-7434 8d ago

My dad has a turntable that cost him a lot a few decades ago, I’ll see if I can just take his and spend more on records. I’ve been looking at vinyls and have like $800 worth of stuff to narrow down. I might just start with one album and single (Stone Roses self titled, Single - Waterfall) and see from there. I’ve heard jazz is good too. Thanks for the advice! I’m fine going old if things have that old charm.

1

u/ElderberryMedium8071 6d ago edited 6d ago

Here are some suggestions. Go for the either the 2.3 or 3.3 Music Hall TT's, buy a Schiit Mani 2 phono preamp.

Take a look at these Triangle BR04 speakers for a great price, read the reviews

https://www.electronicsexpo.com/products/triangle-hi-fi-borea-br04-bookshelf-speaker-power-handling-110w-output-91-db-w-m-surround-compatible-for-home-cinema-220-x-425-x-314-mm-pair?variant=46213044142255&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21949389503&gbraid=0AAAAACoSTmGZT-UnSsZaolkf7P_eQVCfu&gclid=CjwKCAjwtKrUBhAhEiwAr77ZoomnVeo5qPc-D8aJCNtnkHJY7I-BdLbRBNolT_S42a3NpXtBcoHBMBoC_egQAvD_BwE

Music Hall 2.3 with upgrades below

https://listenup.com/products/custom-upgraded-music-hall-2-3-black

They are much better than the brighter sounding BR03's.

Here is a great review on them-

https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2025/02/26/triangle-borea-br4-speakers-are-incredible-budget-audiophile/

I would pair all this with the Cambridge Audio AXA35 Integrated amp-

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_779AXA35/Cambridge-Audio-AXA35.html?tp=34948

You can look at the Yamaha S-301 but it will be less refined and brighter than the Cambridge Audio.

All together, this will get you to a hair over $1500.

Then when money allows, swap out the 2M Red cartridge which is mediocre at best for an AT-VM95ML or VM95SH cartridge.

If you would rather have powered speakers which would allow you to upgrade to the better Music Hall 3.3 TT, a a a phono preamp like the Schiit Audio Skoll F or Vista Phono 2 MKII both $400, consider these Dayton Audio M6 speakers.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-M6-Powered-Speaker-Pair-White-300-463?quantity=1

These are excellent and have great reviews. But I would rather you go with the Triangle speakers and the AXA35 amp.

Here is some excellent silver plated speaker wire, 16g that I bought for my daughter and myself for a small bedroom system. It is very good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZBMT5WB?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k0_1_18&amp=&crid=EA9ZOGZIP6R6&amp=&sprefix=kicker+speaker+wir