Unless your TT is a modern LINE level thing this is what the others meant:

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B004HJ1TTQ/ref=asc\_df\_B004HJ1TTQ/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312150547590&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17828176704062223007&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027583&hvtargid=pla-437158478798&ref=&adgrpid=70581793108&th=1

If low on budget after buying the turntable:

• AT-LPW30TK $219.
• AT-LP120X $255.
• Fluance RT82 $299 has auto stop and then an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for 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. Plus a $14 Pyle PP444 phono preamp is around the same quality as the one in the AT turntables.
• Drop + Audio-Technica Carbon VTA $349 adds a better stylus, a carbon fiber tonearm, VTA adjustment and replaces some plastic parts with metal over the AT-LPW30TK.

Connect any of those options to 5.25" Neumi BSP5 $139.

Best value under $300 IMO is the Fluance RT82 $299 when back in stock at the end of the month. It adds auto stop and then has the same optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for low wow and flutter and speed variation. Includes an OM10 cartridge that is a bit better than the newer version 2M Red. Pass on the older RT81 that lacks the new speed sensor. Pass on the RT83 since the cartridge is not any better. If not using a receiver or integrated amp with a phono input add a Pyle PP444 $18 to start with that may be around the same quality as the one in the Audio Technica or step up Technolink TCC TC-750LC $49 adds adjustable gain, also available at Amazon.

The older RT81 isn't worth buying anymore since the newer improved RT82 for $50 more adds a $100 increase in performance and component value since it adds the new optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for much lower wow and flutter and speed variation and the speed won't drift since the sensor is monitoring the speed 400 times a second. Pass on the RT83 since the cartridge is not any better.

If low on budget after buying the RT82 and you won't be connecting it to an amp or receiver that has a Phono input then a $14 Pyle PP444 phono preamp is around the same quality as the basic phono preamp built into the RT81.

If you need a lower cost turntable with a built in phono preamp then AT-LPW30TK $249 $175.

Turntable: Fluance RT82 $300 adds an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for lower wow and flutter and speed variation and the speed won't drift since the sensor is monitoring the speed 400 times a second.

Phono preamp: Pyle PP444 $14 to start is around the same quality as the one built into the RT80.

Powered speakers: Neumi BSP5 $139.

Or instead of powered speakers, a mini amp, RCA to 3.5mm cable, passive speakers plus speaker wire. Then upgrade to better passive speakers later when you can.

Or look for a used stereo receiver with a phono input and a pair of used passive speakers. What is a nearby town or zip I can search? Reply here or chat.

Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care

Fluance RT82 > phono preamp > speaker amplification > speakers.

Many integrated amps and a good number of stereo and some AV receivers have a built in phono preamp. Powered speakers have a built in speaker amp. A few powered speakers such as Klipsch PM and Kanto YU have a built in phono preamp.

Fluance RT82 is $300 so another $300 to $400 for new amplification and speakers?

Or start lowest budget $59 powered speakers and $13 phono preamp and upgrade both later as soon as you can in a few months or within a year.

Yes.

Setup Guide / Signal Path:

An $18 Pyle to start with for the Eris 3.5. Or the $33 Bozak is more than sufficient for the Eris 3.5 speakers.

Or $99 iFi Zen AIR Phono if you plan on spending just as much as on the turntable for a speaker upgrade or used speakers for half the cost.

Or get a new or used amp or receiver with a Phono input to a built in phono preamp if you will be upgrading to a good pair of passive speakers.

Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care

I highly recommend the $500 setup if you can spend that much, the RT82 plus the great deal for the good Klipsch speakers and subwoofer.

If you can't go over $400 then:

Good turntable, small basic speakers: Fluance RT82 $299 + Pyle PP444 $13 + 4" Microlab Pro1BT $59 speakers = $371 total. Then upgrade the speakers later to $300+ plus new speakers or used speakers for less similar to the Klipsch package.

However a basic starter turntable and better speakers will sound better to start with:

Starter turntables:

• The automatic AT-LP60X $139 is easy setup beginner plug and play and has some improvements over the older discontinued AT-LP60.
• The manual Victrola VPRO-2000 $153 adds adjustable tracking force, a removable cartridge, pitch control, Quartz lock and USB and Bluetooth output. Balance the tonearm then set the tracking force.

Plus the great deal on the 5.25" Klipsch speakers and subwoofer $200.

Total is $339 or $353:

Then later optionally upgrade the turntable to the Fluance RT82.

For $400 (assuming that is USD) total I would buy these.

https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/speakers/wharfedale-diamond-225-bookshelf-speakers-pair

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Amplifier-Receiver-Integrated-Speakers/dp/B076P2VS9H

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B004HJ1TTQ

Or if you want a speaker alternative which will have a more neutral presentation (probably one toe on the brighter side of neutral I would guess) rather than the warmer and more laid back sound of the Wharfedales, consider these which are on sale.

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Signature-Elite-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B09B7XF3Z9

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Can anyone also explain why a receiver/passive speaker set-up would be needed instead of powered speakers?

There's no reason why you would need to go that route... powered speakers would do the job. But you might want to go that route because the selection of passive speakers is much bigger than the selection of powered speakers. With a wider selection comes more competition, and potentially better price/performance as a result since you have companies trying to undercut each other. In your price range in particular I don't think any powered option can compete with the better passive options at the same price.

Once you hit $550+ you kind of reach the next tier of powered speakers (inclusing speakers that use active DSP tuning such as the Vanatoo T1 Encore and the PSB Alpha AM3) and passive vs. powered becomes a more interesting choice.

The phono preamp in the Sony is just a cheap afterthought... a dollar or two of parts to tick off a box on the feature list. It's most likely worse than this preamp which costs less than 20 dollars, which is quite a bit less than you would get for the Sony on Craigslist. So sell the Sony cheap to someone who actually needs it to do receiver duties, buy a separate preamp, and spend the difference on a few records.

Also... the Sony doesn't have any pre-outs or recorder outs, so no, there would not be a way to do it.

Ohhh, a newbie! This will be fun... 🙃

A standard record player/turntable (you can use them interchangeably) will output using stereo RCA. The signal needs to go through a Phono Preamp first. Some turntables have a preamp built-in, most do not (especially as you move up the quality scale).

Then you need an amplifier to power the speakers you get. Some speakers can be plugged directly into a “line-level” jack (think headphone port). Others need an amplifier. You can get a cheap one on Amazon like this, or a nicer one like this, or you could try your local thrift store; stereo amps don’t have to be particularly new, so it’s often easy to score one for cheap.

As for the actual record player, [Rega] and Pro-Ject are the two big brands, as well as U-Turn and the every level. What I would call the first fully “proper” turntable starts at around $400. A U-Turn Orbit can be had for around $200. You can get a black plastic Sony or AudioTechnica on Amazon for $100, but I would advise against it.

The tables you’ll want to look for are the Rega Planar 1 (or “P1”), the Pro-Ject Debut/Debut Carbon, or the U-Turn Orbit. Don’t buy from Amazon. Best Buy/Magnolia is a good source, as is your local Hi-Fi dealer (assuming you have one).

I’ve owned the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and the Regs P3, and liked them both. Please feel free to ask my anything, or PM me. I’m happy to help in any way that I can!