JayThaame
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Super basic and budgeted set up
Bill B
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AudioEngine powered speakers will be a major improvement over the Klipsch in every way.  Their small model 2 is $200, model 2+ (includes a DAC) is I think about $250, and their larger (tho still compact) model 5+ is $350.  Other good powered speakers, I hear, are by Emotiva, Adam, and PSB.

You can also go with a separate amp (integrated amp) and passive (regular) speakers to expand your options.  Hard to find something as cost effective as the AE's, tho.

JayThaame
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I'll look into the speakers

what about amps

I've a bit of confusion about the whole phono stage/pre amp not sure what the difference is, and if you need both?

Everything is going to come over time, I don't mind waiting and saving up to get one thing, and then the other a little later down the line. 

I should also mention this whole set up is in my pretty small bedroom. 12x14 I think

Bill B
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"Classic" preamps have mulitple inputs for different "line level" sources, which includes CD players, tape players, iPods, tuners, tv, etc., AND also a phono input.  A phono input includes a necessary equalization stage (for "RIAA" standard frequency equalization) and an additional level of amplification that is required due to the turntable/cartridge being much lower in voltage than the "line level" sources.

Newer preamps often do NOT have the phono input.  Therefore, they need a separate phono stage (phono preamp) to take your turntable/cartridge's output to a level which then gets plugged into a regular "line level" input on your preamp.

You may already know that a preamp and amp ("power amp") can be separate components, or when combined into one box they are called an "integrated" amplifier.

Also note:  A "receiver" used to mean an integrated amplifier with a built-in radio tuner.  Nowadays, a receiver (Audio video receiver, "AVR") often has that and ALSO mulit-channel capacitiy for home theater systems, in order to run 5 or more speakers, and do various processing functions required by surround sound encoding.

The Pro-Ject Carbon is a very good choice.  The ART phono preamp will be quite suitable.  That's something you can upgrade in the future if you want to.

JayThaame
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Thanks for all the information. That does help. 

This whole set up is going to be strictly for my room and my record player. 

So I'll get the TT, and then upgrade the speakers next, and then move onto an integrated amp

I don't consider myself an audiophile, and I don't have the money to burn, or the space in my room really lol

I use my table ocassionaly, not even daily. I just wanted to upgrade it since the TT I have now is really terrible, and barely works. 

commsysman
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The Harman-Kardon 3390 Stereo Receiver is a bargain right now; only $240 at B & H Photo or Amazon. That is what I recommend.

It has a built-in phono preamp, so you save some money there, and it has good sound and power.

I suggest that you get a pair of the Dayton B652 speakers, which are only $40 per pair at Amazon. That is a ridiculously low price for a fairly decent pair of speakers. Not much for under $200 to compete with them. Stereophile actually did an article on them recently.

When you get a few hundred more bucks, consider a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers.

JayThaame
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Okay, so I'm back with an update. I haven't gotten the record player yet, however I did get a nice pair of vintage Wharfedale e70s. I need to recap and maybe refoam them, but other than that, they're real nice. But with these speakers to rethink the my phono stage/pre amp/power amp sitaution. 

Currently the speakers are connected to the tiny lttle klispch sub that comes with the promedia, which is connected to my preamp. This really isn't ideal. I might have to get all my amps in order before taking that jump for a new record player. 

In the mean time however I am keeping an eye out for cheap vintage tables if I get lucky. Everyone is always talking about tube amps, but I don't know if I can afford tube amps along with everything else and stay within budget. 

Bill B
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see PM

Bill B
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Sorry I missed your PM from the other day, I replied today tho.

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