Instead of buying another $550 Sonos Five to have 2 speakers for stereo:
Amplification for the AT-LPW30TK that has a built in phono preamp:
Amplification with a built in phono stage preamp for the RT82 or EVO:
Plus passive speakers on sale:
Or floor standing towers, then you don't need to buy or build speaker stands:
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.
Or look for a used stereo or AV receiver and a pair of used passive speakers. What is a Craigslist or nearby zip code I can search? Reply here or chat.
The OSD may not have a remote if you need one.
If you want a compact class D amp then consider Acryilc or Aiyima or SMSL or Fosi.
If you want a class A/B stereo receiver then Onkyo TX-8220 $199 that adds subwoofer output and a digital optical input over the Sony.
Or a better class A/B Yamaha A Series $299+ integrated amp.
Or buy a used stereo or AV receiver or integrated amp.
More Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care
Turntable:
Amplification:
Speakers:
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.
Speakers:
Power the passive speakers with a stereo receiver:
Or a mini amp:
Are there any powered speakers that compete with this RB42 setup? self.audiophile
submitted 7 minutes ago by netwoke
I'm looking for a set of desktop speakers that look nice, and aren't very big. Jamo S803 looks too big, for example, but RB42s are perfect. I need a decent low-end without a sub, but a sub out for the next upgrade is required. I would like to be at no more than $350. If something was $335 and sounded slightly worse than something $350, I would go with the cheaper option.
This is what I'm currently looking at:
RB42 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JC416LG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AFKH6OU9WWNFS&psc=1
SMSL SA300 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081DJD1G4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DLIZX4T1QPH&psc=1
This is appealing because the RB42 has reportedly good low-end, doesn't look like shit, and is compact. If there's an alternative to either the speakers or amp please let me know.
I've been looking at powered options with a sub-out, such as YU, YU2, Fluance Ai61, Powered BS5, Audioengine A2+, and R1700BTS.
If you have any thoughts or recommendations, please let me know. I've been looking at second-hand in my area, but no luck yet.
If you already have speakers you could replace the full size amp with a mini amp.
A stylus upgrade for the LP60 from conical to elliptical is LP GEAR CFN3600LE $29 or with a new belt $39.
If you are looking for better sound quality then upgrade the speakers first. The basic while decent to start with for a low budget Edifier speakers are the sound quality bottleneck, it's not the turntable.
What is a nearby town or zip code I can search for used options? Reply here or chat.
After a speaker upgrade you could upgrade to an elliptical tip stylus for the AT-LP60X.
If you don't want to use a receiver or stack it under your turntable with a riser shelf or turntable stand then better powered speakers are an option:
5.25" mid bass driver powered speakers for a small to medium size room:
4" mid bass driver powered speakers for a small room or desktop setup:
Or instead of the receiver you could get a mini amp to power passive speakers:
Passive speakers on sale:
Or floor standing towers, then you don't need to buy or build speaker stands:
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.
Another turntable option for a good value and $100 less than the Fluance RT82 is the AT-LPW30TK $249 $199 with a built in phono preamp.
Plus speaker amplification without a built in phono preamp:
If the turntable is working fine then spend your budget on the best speakers you can get and upgrade the turntable later. Install a new stylus if it needs one.
Powered speakers:
Better speakers and separate amplification:
Amplification with audio cable input for the turntable plus Bluetooth for streaming audio:
Passive speakers on sale:
Or floor standing towers, then you don't need to buy or build speaker stands:
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.
Or look for a used stereo or AV receiver and a pair of used passive speakers. What is a Craigslist or nearby zip code to search? Reply here or chat.
Would you need a remote for the mini amp or does your TV have variable level analog audio RCA or 3.5mm output so you can use the TV remote to control the volume?
Mini amps with remote and analog input for the turntable and digital optical input for the TV plus Bluetooth:
Or a basic stereo receiver from Yamaha with multiple RCA analog inputs.
Onkyo TX-8220 adds digital optical input for a TV and a subwoofer output.
Or for under $100 what is a nearby town or zip code I can search for a used receiver? Reply here or chat.
Bluetooth can be added to most anything with an RCA or 3.5mm input by connecting a $25 Bluetooth receiver or a $35 Echo Dot adds WiFi streaming with voice or app control in addition to Bluetooth.
Neither Fosi has a built in phono preamp since they don't have a "PHONO" input.
Setup for either Fosi:
The $45 Technolink TC-75 should already be better than a phono preamp built into a compact or mini amp that may only have a $15 value.
Which model Pioneer speakers?
If the Pioneers are basic entry level and you are looking for an increase in sound quailty then consider upgrading the speakers first or at the same time as the switch from the Yamaha AV receiver to a mini amp. The switch from the full size Yamaha AV receiver to a sub $150 class A/B compact amp or a class D mini amp won't be an upgrade, it will just be smaller.
The class A/B tube hybrid Fosi T3 looks good.
For class D mini amps, Aiyma A07 if you don't need Bluetooth, or Fosi BT20 if you don't need subwoofer output or Fosi BL20 has subwoofer output and a remote. Or more options from SMSL such as the SA300.
More compact amps $115 to $240:
If you must downgrade or possibly side grade to a built in phono preamp:
Also check out r/BudgetAudiophile for sub $150 compact and mini amps.
Turntables on sale:
If you don't want a full size stereo receiver such as a Sony STR-DH190 then a mini amp is an option. A few of many $100+ options are Aiyima A08, Fosi 2120, SMSL SA300. Or lower cost Fosi Audio BL20A $68 has 3.5mm input instead of RCA output so use the correct cable or adapter.
Plus passive speakers:
Or what is a nearby town or zip code I can search for used options for you? Reply here or chat.
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.
https://smile.amazon.com/Klipsch-R-12SW-Subwoofer/dp/B00MJ1YR8Y/ref=psdc_12097481011_t1_B0015A8Y5M
This is a sub that's slightly cheaper and matches your speakers better.
https://www.amazon.com/S-M-S-L-Infineons-Technology-Amplifier-chip%EF%BC%8CBluetooth/dp/B081DJD1G4
This is a good amp/dac to get you started. If you're willing to spend more than that, I would suggest a good used a/v receiver from Denon, Yamaha, Sony, Onkyo, or Marantz (pricey). Try to stay under 4 years old for compatibility and reliability reasons. A receiver adds more power, a lot more tuning features, a better dac, more inputs, and more channels for not a lot more money. I wouldn't spend more than $300-400 used or $600 new for a really nice one.
A stereo or AV receiver will power the speakers.
A phono preamp doesn't power passive speakers.
If you already have a full size turntable and big speakers from the 70s then a full size stereo or AV receiver or integrated amp shouldn't seem to big.
You could stack the amp or receiver under the turntable with a riser shelf, spacers or a turntable stand.
Or you could connect powered speakers directly to the turntable.
If you don't want a full size class A/B receiver or amp you could get a compact class D mini amp.
Turntables:
Speakers:
Starter powered speakers:
Better speakers and separate amplification:
Amplification for the AT-LPW30TK:
Amplification with a built in phono preamp for the Fluance RT82:
Plus passive speakers on sale:
Or floor standing towers, then you don't need to buy or build speaker stands:
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire.
Passive speakers with a mini amp or stereo receiver can be more cost effective and flexible to later upgrade one part at a time.
Mini amps are basically what is built into powered speakers.
Literally have no horizontal space for the typical sized amp/receiver, short of just leaving it on the floor.
Consider stacking the stereo receiver or integrated amp under the turntable via a riser shelf or a turntable stand.
Or get a compact vertical amp NAD 3020 $359+
Or lower cost chi-fi amps:
You're welcome.
No room to stack a class A/B amp or receiver under the turntable with a riser shelf or turntable stand?
The NAD D 3020 V2 $349+ is a very good class D amp.
(I have a refurbished class A/B NAD C316BEE V2 from the same store)
Or more class D compact options are OSD Audio and Echo Link Amp.
Or there are many lower cost Chi-Fi class D amps, connect a phono preamp to any one:
Or hybrid class D / tube amps:
Or a compact tube amp:
If anything does not have Bluetooth or WiFi streaming you can add both by connecting a $19 Echo Dot with voice or app control. Or the Wiim Mini or Pro have Airplay 2 and Siri and the Pro adds Chromecast and Google Assistant.