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May 26, 2012 - 5:15pm
#1
Need Turntable Suggestions
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I know I am not directly answering your question and am probably doing worse by offering advice you may not want...
You say you want "nice sound" but it's probably more important you let us know how loud and what types of music you will listen to.
I assume you are referring to the D-M38 for the shelf unit (msrp $399). Looks like a decent unit for what it is. I would have thought space was a primary reason for wanting a shelf system but I will assume it's not since a turntable takes up some space and is not compact.
I know this may not be what you want to hear and I understand funds may not be easy to come by in these times. However, forgetting the 'table for a second, I would try to consider an integrated amp if you don't need the tuner that bad. Maybe consider a receiver if it does. In either case you would need to get speakers separately as well. The Denon also has a CD player, if you want to mainly listen to vinyl, you can skip a separate CD player for now and just go with an amp, speakers and 'table. There are many good 'tables in the $450+ range but not so many (non big box brands) below that. Stanton may have a unit and Music Hall makes a USB-1 for $249. You would then need to spend somewhere around $299-$499 for an integrated. Look at Cambridge Audio, NAD and Music Hall to start. For speakers I would look at something like PSB Alphas or similar, also maybe Paradigm, EPOS and Audioengine. The PSB's start around $299. The Audioengine P4's $249.
You were going to spend about $350 for a 'table and $399 for the shelf system totaling around $799. Using priceces for the least expensive items mentioned above, cost's would be: $299 [integrated]+$249 [speakers]+$249 {'table] for a total of $797.
I think you will get much better sound than the shelf system--nothing against the shelf system. And yes, you wouldn't have a CD player which you can add for about $299.
Jerry
Triplet Audio
jsm59 said it more politely than I'm going to.
Don't waste your money on an all-in-one bookshelf system. For not a lot more you can get a nice integrated amplifier and some speakers. Said integrated and speakers will be a lot better sounding than any bookshelf system.
The Denon DM38S system, for $400, may be hard to beat for the price. A decent amplifier, speakers, and CD player, would probably cost close to $1000. The Denon is not as good as what you can get for $1000, but for the money...probably not too bad.
I suggest that you consider getting the Music Hall MMF 2.2 turntable, for $449. It is really an excellent turntable, and SO much better than anything I know of for $300 or $350. The extra $100 buys you a huge step up in performance.
If you are really stuck on that price limit, Needle Doctor has the Pro-Ject Debut 3 turntable in black for $299; nothing better is available at that price.