Setup Guide: Turntable, Phono Preamp, Amp or Receiver, Speakers
Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care
TURNTABLES:
With a built in phono stage preamp:
Starter turntables:
- Automatic: AT-LP60X $139 is easy setup plug and play and has some improvements over the older discontinued AT-LP60.
- Manual: Victrola VPRO-2000 $149 adds adjustable tracking force, a removable cartridge, pitch control, Quartz lock and a stroboscopic platter over the AT-LP60X.
- Manual lower budget turntables: Insignia NS-BTST21 $129 adds a speed sensor. Or there is also the Crosley C6 $129.
Better manual turntable:
- Fluance RT82 $299 adds auto stop and then an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for much lower wow and flutter and speed variation. Pass on the older RT80 and RT81 that lack the new speed sensor. Pass on the RT83 since the cartridge is not any better.
More turntables $199 to $349 with a speed sensor, a basic built in phono stage preamp, but no auto stop that the Fluance has:
Or look for a better vintage turntable from a seller who fixes them up and has them ready to demo for you before buying it.
What is a Craigslist or nearby zip code to search for used options?
SPEAKERS:
Low budget compact 4" powered Speakers: Decent for a small room or desktop setup.
- 4" Edifier 1010BT $55 starter speakers with Bluetooth then upgrade later.
- 4" Edifier R1280T $99. Optionally connect a $19 Bluetooth Receiver or a $39 Echo Dot that is a Bluetooth receiver that adds WiFi streaming audio with convenient hands free voice control or mute the mic for only app control.
- 4" Jamo S801PM
$299 $149 with Bluetooth, USB, digital optical, and analog input plus a subwoofer output.
Low budget larger 6.5" passive speakers and a mini amp: For any size room. Then each part can later be upgraded one at a time.
Better speakers and amplification:
Amplification:
Passive speakers on sale:
Plus speaker wire, Pure Copper 16 AWG. Then How to Install Speaker Wire and How To Strip Speaker Wire.