Calling Audiophiles. Turntable recommendation and setup

Rocker

At the risk of stating the obvious, there is no one turntable/cartridge/phono stage or whatever that is the magic component in your system. It is how the combination you have or intend to purchase works that makes the difference between sounding good and sounding like music. Hence the importance of listening to the system before purchasing it. I have no idea what number of combinations of components are possible, thousands very likely, so this is why I stress visiting a hi-fi dealer who will have the knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. All the products mentioned so far in this thread are good and capable devices but buying something that is well thought of is not a guarantee that it will work optimally in your system. Listen before buying. 

blobb

If you've got nothing at all and want to listen to records cheaply, go on Richer Sounds and see what they have got in their budget systems range.

Something like this: https://www.richersounds.com/denon-dp-29f-silver-cambridge-audio-axa25-lunar-grey-with-wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black.html

Otherwise you are opening up a whole world of bits n pieces. You need a turntable, an amp with a phono stage and some speakers. This sytem won't be the 'best' you can get or even the best on a budget, but it will let you listen to records in a nice way to start with. Everything else comes later, and as you can see everyone has a different view.

TheMarlin

viz said:

TheMarlin said:

I’ve just remembered. I’ve got a fifth turntable!

it’s a Denon DP55 direct drive turntable. It’s not got a lid, but it’s an excellent turntable. 

I’d let it go cheap here for £250 (no tonearm(. 

I’ve got spare tonearms,

Origin Live Endounter 3c
Michelle Technoarm 2 

but both are expensive. 

what's the origin live tonearm like?

I’m my opinion, an SME beater!
I’ve also got an Origin Live Conqueror, which i use on my Nottingham Audio deck. Superb tonearm

Octavio

TheMarlin said:

If you have an amp and want to use it with a turntable (and have a MM cart), you’re going to have to spend at least £700 to get a phono stage that gonna beat the humble little Schitt Mani. 

They’re about £100-£150 new (or were last time I looked), and sound fantastic.  I upgraded to a EAR phono-stage, specially tuned to my cartridge. I had it further modified to remove the power supply, and house it in a deprecate unit which I keep well away. 

It’s sounds amazing, but cost a fortune, and has. If embarrassed the humble Schitt Mani. 

I’ve kept mine as a spare. 

It’s useless on MC card though. I had Tom Evans build the phono stage tuned to my MC cart. 

I bought the Mani 2. Good recommendation. Yes I realise I'm doing all this backwards! One down. Now for a turntable..
https://www.schiit.com/products/mani

blobb

This guy does good Rega conversions. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266390385092?hash=item3e061ab1c4:g:SgcAAOSwHTpk7hM7&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4Lde8qpqRWa5gWP9GMFy0E39CZr%2FN0l60n8rzRK9%2FcU%2FxupbgyBl5aIp5pzm1srcbpBJ52jVUGdueTVWmFU4Rh%2BbvTdTMG6JpcaT6JOPsJbxM3yyM9Rp9mJdLPOxbbowuEhivNMDZdFMU0leoOBrW7qPL9136NFCbYfZIMaQ1HAHG1IwsdUE5JNnMf6NQdOisp0icqBkNfPCareHtfssdv815MmC9PEkVsaVqpe6eDsb0Z7GqoMrf30j41lyxZq5Riv90CR3t1Uj5gdh%2Bs89YM4uuL%2BYLLAXwEIlBEExpWa8%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8b3y7zRYg

TheMarlin

I’d let my Denon DP 55 go to forum member cheap. £200 for a top class direct drive deck, you’d have to spend several grand new to beat it (and quite frankly, best part of a grand used to even get close)

Just needs a tone arm.  

I have tonearms spare, but expensive. 

Get a Rega RB250 tonearm - can be had for £100-£150
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394873434659?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=u0aZ_Qd7Rxq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=3gw4Mp6ER2O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386113281262?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Sr-L4FB_QlG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=3gw4Mp6ER2O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


 £70 for a counterweight upgrade (this is the best counterweight upgrade. Awful stock counterweight ruins this arm.  This upgrade add move liveliness to the tone, and reveals a strident bass. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266396913323?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yL_5flFySjW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=3gw4Mp6ER2O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY) 
bolt it to the Denon, cheap and amazing sounds

If you want a cheap but great cartridge, 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155764659865?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=4fK1DA1XRPS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=3gw4Mp6ER2O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

TheMarlin

Octavio said:

TheMarlin said:

If you have an amp and want to use it with a turntable (and have a MM cart), you’re going to have to spend at least £700 to get a phono stage that gonna beat the humble little Schitt Mani. 

They’re about £100-£150 new (or were last time I looked), and sound fantastic.  I upgraded to a EAR phono-stage, specially tuned to my cartridge. I had it further modified to remove the power supply, and house it in a deprecate unit which I keep well away. 

It’s sounds amazing, but cost a fortune, and has. If embarrassed the humble Schitt Mani. 

I’ve kept mine as a spare. 

It’s useless on MC card though. I had Tom Evans build the phono stage tuned to my MC cart. 

I bought the Mani 2. Good recommendation. Yes I realise I'm doing all this backwards! One down. Now for a turntable..
https://www.schiit.com/products/mani

Once you get your Schiit Mani connected to your turntable, take a while to play with the dip switches on the underside. You can dial it into the impedance or your cartridge and tonearms. Once it tuned in, you’ll love it 

ROOG

blobb said:

If you've got nothing at all and want to listen to records cheaply, go on Richer Sounds and see what they have got in their budget systems range.

Something like this: https://www.richersounds.com/denon-dp-29f-silver-cambridge-audio-axa25-lunar-grey-with-wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black.html

Otherwise you are opening up a whole world of bits n pieces. You need a turntable, an amp with a phono stage and some speakers. This sytem won't be the 'best' you can get or even the best on a budget, but it will let you listen to records in a nice way to start with. Everything else comes later, and as you can see everyone has a different view.

I completely agree, @blobb , if you just want to play your records go with a simple package including phono amp or Bluetooth if that is your preference. 
Its all too easy to get drawn into expensive audiophile 'mix n-match' shenanigan's, best avoided in my opinion.

Signed, "The recovering Audio-loon" 

roberty

I got a Technics 1210 in Feb 2013 for £220. It has worked flawlessly the whole time with no fuss. I might have put a drop of oil in the bearing once. Super solid and stable. I put KAB fluid damper on, but couldn't tell you if it does anything. I was young and naive. Got a nice MC cart on it now. My system is high end (PMC, Plinius, room treatment). The Technics is probably the best money I've spent. I expect it will outlast me (at this rate, anyway)

edit: 2013! Time, eh?

blobb

@ROOG

QUAD and CAM R50's for the win!

Alterlifeson

blobb said:

If you've got nothing at all and want to listen to records cheaply, go on Richer Sounds and see what they have got in their budget systems range.

Something like this: https://www.richersounds.com/denon-dp-29f-silver-cambridge-audio-axa25-lunar-grey-with-wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black.html

Otherwise you are opening up a whole world of bits n pieces. You need a turntable, an amp with a phono stage and some speakers. This sytem won't be the 'best' you can get or even the best on a budget, but it will let you listen to records in a nice way to start with. Everything else comes later, and as you can see everyone has a different view.

Definitely agree with this. I went into Richer sounds and came away with a similar 'starter' set up, but went a couple of steps up from those. Still very happy with it all 7 years later and have felt no need to upgrade anything.

• Pro-ject Debut Carbon
• Marantz PM5004
• Wharfdale Diamond 220 speakers

I can't think of an area I would upgrade for my record collection. I've recently added the cheapest CD player that Richer Sounds offer and that is great to.

Octavio

ROOG said:

blobb said:

If you've got nothing at all and want to listen to records cheaply, go on Richer Sounds and see what they have got in their budget systems range.

Something like this: https://www.richersounds.com/denon-dp-29f-silver-cambridge-audio-axa25-lunar-grey-with-wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black.html

Otherwise you are opening up a whole world of bits n pieces. You need a turntable, an amp with a phono stage and some speakers. This sytem won't be the 'best' you can get or even the best on a budget, but it will let you listen to records in a nice way to start with. Everything else comes later, and as you can see everyone has a different view.

I completely agree, @blobb , if you just want to play your records go with a simple package including phono amp or Bluetooth if that is your preference. 
Its all too easy to get drawn into expensive audiophile 'mix n-match' shenanigan's, best avoided in my opinion.

Signed, "The recovering Audio-loon" 

Well not exactly starting from scratch. I have some Genelec 8020D active monitors that I like to reuse to save a few quid (and space). Although I'll now need a monitor controller as they don't have a volume knob. Something like this https://www.thomann.de/gb/palmer_monicon_l.htm

And then the Schiit Mani 2 phono preamp I purchased. I massively underestimated what buying a decent turntable involved Definitely not as fun as researching and buying guitars!

viz

TheMarlin said:

viz said:

TheMarlin said:

I’ve just remembered. I’ve got a fifth turntable!

it’s a Denon DP55 direct drive turntable. It’s not got a lid, but it’s an excellent turntable. 

I’d let it go cheap here for £250 (no tonearm(. 

I’ve got spare tonearms,

Origin Live Endounter 3c
Michelle Technoarm 2 

but both are expensive. 

what's the origin live tonearm like?

I’m my opinion, an SME beater!
I’ve also got an Origin Live Conqueror, which i use on my Nottingham Audio deck. Superb tonearm

Yep, I’ve wanted the Enterprise for many a year. The Agile is probably overkill. 

Offset

@octavio - check my signature!

ROOG

Octavio said:

ROOG said:

blobb said:

If you've got nothing at all and want to listen to records cheaply, go on Richer Sounds and see what they have got in their budget systems range.

Something like this: https://www.richersounds.com/denon-dp-29f-silver-cambridge-audio-axa25-lunar-grey-with-wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black.html

Otherwise you are opening up a whole world of bits n pieces. You need a turntable, an amp with a phono stage and some speakers. This sytem won't be the 'best' you can get or even the best on a budget, but it will let you listen to records in a nice way to start with. Everything else comes later, and as you can see everyone has a different view.

I completely agree, @blobb , if you just want to play your records go with a simple package including phono amp or Bluetooth if that is your preference. 
Its all too easy to get drawn into expensive audiophile 'mix n-match' shenanigan's, best avoided in my opinion.

Signed, "The recovering Audio-loon" 

Well not exactly starting from scratch. I have some Genelec 8020D active monitors that I like to reuse to save a few quid (and space). Although I'll now need a monitor controller as they don't have a volume knob. Something like this https://www.thomann.de/gb/palmer_monicon_l.htm

And then the Schiit Mani 2 phono preamp I purchased. I massively underestimated what buying a decent turntable involved Definitely not as fun as researching and buying guitars!

Yes I see your point, I was just thinking of the record player bit, definitely keep the bits you currently value and build around that. No point in wasting them. Really I was agreeing with approaching Richer Sounds for their no nonsense help and advice and sensible equipment selection.

As the owner of much audio kit both past and present, some silly expensive, I realise that I was suckered in by the snobbish attitude of most HiFi dealers and steer clear of them as much as possible these days, bit by bit I am in the process of selling some items of Stereo kit in preference for proven lower cost items.  My Naim power amplifier is next to go!

ROOG

blobb said:

@ROOG

QUAD and CAM R50's for the win!

Hi @blobb I might be a bit out of touch, what are the CAM R50's, loudspeakers perhaps? 

blobb

Yes. Great big transmission lines. Cambridge R50. More furniture than anything else but sound like nothing else.

Rocker

ROOG said:

Octavio said:

ROOG said:

blobb said:

If you've got nothing at all and want to listen to records cheaply, go on Richer Sounds and see what they have got in their budget systems range.

Something like this: https://www.richersounds.com/denon-dp-29f-silver-cambridge-audio-axa25-lunar-grey-with-wharfedale-diamond-9-0-black.html

Otherwise you are opening up a whole world of bits n pieces. You need a turntable, an amp with a phono stage and some speakers. This sytem won't be the 'best' you can get or even the best on a budget, but it will let you listen to records in a nice way to start with. Everything else comes later, and as you can see everyone has a different view.

I completely agree, @blobb , if you just want to play your records go with a simple package including phono amp or Bluetooth if that is your preference. 
Its all too easy to get drawn into expensive audiophile 'mix n-match' shenanigan's, best avoided in my opinion.

Signed, "The recovering Audio-loon" 

Well not exactly starting from scratch. I have some Genelec 8020D active monitors that I like to reuse to save a few quid (and space). Although I'll now need a monitor controller as they don't have a volume knob. Something like this https://www.thomann.de/gb/palmer_monicon_l.htm

And then the Schiit Mani 2 phono preamp I purchased. I massively underestimated what buying a decent turntable involved Definitely not as fun as researching and buying guitars!

Yes I see your point, I was just thinking of the record player bit, definitely keep the bits you currently value and build around that. No point in wasting them. Really I was agreeing with approaching Richer Sounds for their no nonsense help and advice and sensible equipment selection.

As the owner of much audio kit both past and present, some silly expensive, I realise that I was suckered in by the snobbish attitude of most HiFi dealers and steer clear of them as much as possible these days, bit by bit I am in the process of selling some items of Stereo kit in preference for proven lower cost items.  My Naim power amplifier is next to go!

Good call @ROOG, getting shut of Naim Audio kit is always a good idea IMHO. I had what was then the top of the range Naim setup and it almost put me off listening to music. I only started listening to recorded music again when I got a replacement for the Naim setup, the hi-go magazines back then were all praising Naim so I thought it must be good as they all say it is the best. Always listen to prospective purchases before parting with any cash as not every piece of kit will sound as you would like it to sound. 

viz

I think that, unlike most companies, Naim gear's performance actually accelerates as it gets more expensive. Most other companies' gear has diminishing returns as you spend more. So I'm surprised at your top of the range stuff not being good. Their NAP 500 is amazing, at least to my ear!