tangfj
tangfj's picture
Offline
Last seen: 8 years 9 months ago
Joined: Jul 20 2015 - 1:08pm
Recommend me a setup! Integrated, Turntable, Speakers
commsysman
commsysman's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 4 months ago
Joined: Apr 4 2006 - 11:33am

IMO you should pick some relatively small speakers that have fairly strong bass response; there are some on the market. You will probably not need a sub if you choose well.

One in particular that I will point out is the Monitor Audio Silver Series 2, which has response down to 40 Hz and are only $1049 from Crutchfield and other dealers. These are very good-sounding speakers, and their 8-inch woofer gives an excellent bass for a smaller speaker.

One Integrated Amplifier that is very good and amazingly affordable is the Music Hall 15.3 Amplifier, which lists at $549. There are very few for under $1000 that are as good, and it will work well with most speakers. It also has a built-in phono preamp included.

As for a turntable, the one I recommend is the Music Hall MMF-2.2, which sells for $449. It is excellent for the money, and hard to beat unless you spend over $1000.

It comes with a cartridge, but the sound will be greatly improved by upgrading to an Ortophon 2M Blue for around $250.

As you can see, this system will cost well under $2500, even by the time you include a pair of Sanus Steel Foundation Stands (don't buy wood stands).

I think you will find this to be a very good system.

bierfeldt
bierfeldt's picture
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 1 month ago
Joined: Oct 26 2007 - 2:30pm

Commsysman makes a strong suggestion. I think the Monitor Audio Silver 2s are tremendous and would highly recommend them. Another alternative would the Peachtree D5s which, if you buy direct from Peachtree, they have been marked down to $799 from $999. Surprising bass performance.

The Music Hall is a wonderful integrated. If you want to look at a slightly higher end integrated, the Peachtree Nova 65 SE is awesome and is also marked down to $799 and a steal at that price. It's big brother, the Nova 125se is a class B rated component from Stereophile. It would pair beautifully with the Monitor Audio Silver and works supremely well with Peachtree speakers. If you buy both Peachtree products you get an extra $100 off. You would need an external phono stage with the Peachtree but it has a superb internal DAC and you could plug your Apple TV directly into it.

The Musical Fidelity V90 LPS is awesome an awesome phono stage at $229. The Vincent Audio PHO-8 is even better at $299.

I agree with commsysman completely on the suggestion for the turntable. You won't do better unless you step up to the Rega RP3. The Music Hall with that Ortofon 2M Blue would be superb.

The Kef LS50s are wonderful speakers but NEED a subwoofer IMO. I own the Revel Performa3 M105s and they also need a subwoofer to sound good. The M106s don't go much deeper. To get a subwoofer that will blend with those Kefs or the Revels, you will need a good, sealed sub. They are too refined to pair just any sub. You will need a to spend at least $600 to get a remotely acceptable sub. $800 to $850 for an NHT or Sunfire HRS would be best.

Sofi Gray
Sofi Gray's picture
Offline
Last seen: 8 years 7 months ago
Joined: Sep 4 2015 - 12:52am

Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB ($249) > Audioengine A5 Speakers ($399) = $648
Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB ($249) > Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 ($349) > PSB Alpha B1s ($299) = $897
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon ($399) > Pro-Ject Phono Box ($149) > Audioengine A5 Speakers ($399) = $947
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon ($399) > Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 ($349) > PSB Alpha B1s ($299) = $1047
Sofie from write my essay fast service write my essay fast service

rainsoothe
rainsoothe's picture
Offline
Last seen: 3 years 9 months ago
Joined: Sep 29 2013 - 7:10am

Hi. My option would be Arcam A19 + Focal Aria 906 + Rega RP3 (either Exact or Ortofon 2m Blue cartrige). I think the Kef LS50 also go well with the Arcam, but I'm using it with the focals, and they're amazing (have them placed on Atacama Nexus 6i stands, which you should fill with sand for better bass definition). It's a nice warm sound, which is also clear and rhythmical.

Alternatively, if you don't need a remote, check Croft Phono Integrated - also with the Focal Aria 906 or Kef LS50. Also, since you live in the US and you can have one cheaper then in the EU, VPI Traveller is a seriously good alternative to a Rega.

Do try to audition, your ears will be the best judge.

Log in or register to post comments
-->
  • X