re: Audiophile/Vinyl Thread - Post Pics, Advice, Questions, Setups, etc.

The fluance would be a big upgrade. Check craigslistband eBay for great within driving distance and you’ll likely find some deals and not have to pay shipping.

I said it in the earlier thread.... may be looking to move my VPI Nomad, it comes with a built in phono if you’re interested.

I’m not sure what you’re looking to spend on a TT.... May be a little more than that one you’re looking at with Fluance, but you wouldn’t have to buy a phono.

That is if you’re in the BR/NOLA area...

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jsk020

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You should seriously consider HerbertFest08’s VPI Nomad...like he stated, it has a (phono stage/phono preamp—same thing) built in...and it’s a really good table too.

In short, the signal coming off the needle in the cartridge is of a very low voltage—around 1/10 to 1/20 the voltage (depending whether MM or MC cartridge) as a normal “line level” source, which is around +/- 3 volts (CD player, DAC, an iPod plugged directly into an analog input, a cassette deck, DAT tape deck, MiniDisc player).

A phono stage/preamp is needed to do 2 things:

1). (Most important)—it de-emphasizes the RIAA frequency curve which was applied (emphasized) for the final metal master for vinyl pressing. A simple explanation is that the low frequency is “compressed” so all the information can fit into thin grooves, and then it is “decompressed” by the phono stage/preamp upon playback. It is a bit more mathematically complicated than just compression, so if you want to read a bit about it, HERE is a Little explanation. This is why some phono preamps are $20, and some are $80k—its all in the electronics.

2). It will boost the signal from the cartridge to around 3v, which will allow it to be plugged into any “line level” input on a receiver or preamp.


If you get a Pro-Ject Debut carbon, Fluance, or U-Turn, you will need to also purchase a phono preamp, and that will run, at minimum around $150 (if you go cheaper than the tables I listed and $150 for a pre, you begin to cross the threshold floor for quality, and thus start to lose any of the attributes of playing records to begin with).

So basically, the floor for an entry level turntable and phono preamp is around $450-500.


Speakers:...same. $600/pair is probably going to be the floor for anything decent. Klipsch built a great name for themselves during the 60’s and 70’s with their horn loaded woofer designs. It isn’t for everyone, but if done right, can be really good...HOWEVER, their line that built the brand is NOT the stuff you find bearing their name sold on amazon or Best Buy...those lines are very cheap...they sell because “my old man had a pair of Klipsch and they were killer”. The line which made them famous is still made, but begin at around $4k/pair and go up from there.

There are better $600-1000 speakers available than the Klipsch basement series. I will let the others here chime in with recommendations for speakers in that range, as they may be more familiar with what’s available out there now at that price point than I am.


If you want to play records, and need speakers and a receiver, you are gonna need to part with $1500 minimum (if you want it to be worth a crap).

I hope you can put something together with this board’s help and join in posting what you are playing.


As always, the above is just my opinion.

Dirty Beaches - Badlands

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I think something like this could get him started. LINK

$999 package and comes with speakers.

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This seems very good for me. Seems it has an optical input for my tv as well. And BT for my GF. Looks clean and simple.

Any subwoofer recs to pair with these ELACs?

Every now and then you can find some good deals on SVS’s in their outlet... Marco highly recommends them. That’ll probably put you over your budget if you’re still trying to get a table as well though.

That being said, if you’re interested in the VPI let me know. I’d rather get it to someone local/music thread if possible. My buddy was going to buy it from me, but his ol lady scrapped that.

Every few months, SVS has a sale on the subs that people use on a trial basis and return. Some have scratches (mostly the piano gloss finishes as they show the defects clearly), but you can get a decent sub for around $500 if you jump on it when they announce the sale.

FWIW...I use 2 SB16 Ultras and will be adding 2 more soon (stacked vertically). They are a great value for what you get.

Stormzy - Gang Signs and Prayer

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Such an underappreciated album

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Extremely underrated. Solid effort by STP.

Teenage Fanclub - Grand Prix