$1000 budget. NYC Apartment Setup

[Joe Mac]

So, I take it tubed phono pre-amps are the way to go later on down the line? Is the difference that noticeable?

Honestly if you’re matching in with the rest of that gear price wise I’d avoid tubes like the plague. They’ll either be solid state with a little tube in just to colour the sound a little or they’ll be junk. Proper tube stuff is great but it’s pricy. I’d be looking at one of the Darlington Labs pre-amps that are getting all the love around here right now.

 

[epyon415]

@HiFi Guy think you might know, but is there a way to determine if my orbit has the unipivot arm? Pretty sure I bought it end of 2015/very early 2016.

 

[HiFi Guy]

@HiFi Guy think you might know, but is there a way to determine if my orbit has the unipivot arm? Pretty sure I bought it end of 2015/very early 2016.

UTurn could tell you by serial number if you call them.

There are advantages and disadvantages with both arms. I usually prefer a longer arm (the new one) for lower tracking error. The longer arm has preset anti skate though, which isn’t ideal. I prefer the old unipivot arm if I had a choice.

 

[Angsty]

Turntable Lab sells pre-selected packages if you don’t want to assemble the system yourself. If there are one or twoin particular that catch your fancy, ask more questions here.

TTL SETUP: Turntable Packages

check out these complete Turntable listening solution with discount, free shipping and more!

www.turntablelab.com

 

[David A.]

Turntable Lab sells pre-selected packages if you don’t want to assemble the system yourself. If there are one or twoin particular that catch your fancy, ask more questions here.

TTL SETUP: Turntable Packages

check out these complete Turntable listening solution with discount, free shipping and more!

www.turntablelab.com

I’ve been looking at these set ups for quite a bit.

This was the set up that initially attracted me.

Pro-Ject: Debut Carbon EVO / Audioengine A5+ / Turntable Package

Lab Advice: Why You Should Consider This Package 👉 you're getting into audiophile range with serious focus on turntable performance - quiet operation, precision tonearm, excellent cartridge; paired with the premium A5+s, you'll get loud output with strong bass TURNTABLE: the Debut Carbon EVO is...

www.turntablelab.com

Now I’m not so sure.

 

[HiFi Guy]

I’ve been looking at these set ups for quite a bit.

This was the set up that initially attracted me.

Pro-Ject: Debut Carbon EVO / Audioengine A5+ / Turntable Package

Lab Advice: Why You Should Consider This Package 👉 you're getting into audiophile range with serious focus on turntable performance - quiet operation, precision tonearm, excellent cartridge; paired with the premium A5+s, you'll get loud output with strong bass TURNTABLE: the Debut Carbon EVO is...

www.turntablelab.com

Now I’m not so sure.

Those selections are all kind of gross, each in their own way. You can do better.

 

[HiFi Guy]

@David A. another way to save money would be to substitute Elac Debut 6.2 speakers for the Wharfedales.

 

[Angsty]

There are good and bad examples of both belt and direct drive tables. The PLX-1000 is very quiet as far as hum/noise.

I can vouch for the PLX-1000; I’ve owned one for over 3 years. The Shure cartridge would work with it. The PLX-1000 can easily handle future cartridges of higher quality. The Shure can accommodate improved styli replacements if you choose that in the future.

Another integrated amp to consider in this price range is the Cambridge Audio AXA35. Well regarded in this price range with included phono stage. I don’t own this amp, but my other Cambridge gear has been utterly reliable.

Cambridge Audio AXA35 review

A musical budget amplifier with all-round appeal

www.whathifi.com

 

[Angsty]

Those selections are all kind of gross, each in their own way. You can do better.

I agree you can do better by assembling your own components. Some people do get overwhelmed by the choices and just go for convenience, which is why TTL does this.

The Audioengine speakers are not the very best, but do allow for digital streaming when you want to listen to more than vinyl. A reasonable trade off until you are ready to invest more.

Home review

Great desktop sound from these upgraded powered speakers

www.whathifi.com

 

[David A.]

Those selections are all kind of gross, each in their own way. You can do better.

I take it the built in DAC in the Audioengines takes up space away from more important components?

I keep getting audioengines recommended to me but I’d like wood cabinets.

Are the Warfedale’s powered or unpowered?

 

[Angsty]

Are the Warfedale’s powered or unpowered?

The Wharfedales are unpowered. Good but also require a full integrated amp like the Cambridge or NAD.

Home review

Retro looks and timeless sound make an appealing combination

www.whathifi.com

 

[HiFi Guy]

I’d never recommend a powered speaker.

If you want to upgrade your speakers later, you have to start over. Same if you’d like to upgrade your amp later.

Every speaker and every amp sounds different. Buy powered and you are buying thei designer’s taste. Yours could be different.

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

I'd second these suggestions. Think it would be a great upgrade for ya. Don't be afraid to buy open box from places like Music Direct. I had these speakers in my apartment when I lived in NYC (still have them and use them in my secondary setup now) and they are great:

Wharfedale - Denton 80th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.

www.musicdirect.com

They are a nice looking speaker and sound great. I have the mahogany but I know that the walnut is a favorite around here. Purely a looks preference though. You may be able to get them cheaper if an open box deal pops up through MD (I think I paid $350 awhile ago for mine open box through MD). But might not have too many open box deals anymore since they are an older model.

And pretty sure with the NAD you could always get an external preamp later if you wanted to upgrade/try tubes/etc.

NAD Electronics C 316BEE V2 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Factory Refurbished

NAD Electronics C 316BEE V2 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Factory Refurbished NAD has a distinct reputation for creating some of the best performing budget amplifiers of all time. The lineage is impressive, all the way from the 3020 of 1978 to the current C 328, with many “Best Amp” awards and...

www.safeandsoundhq.com

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

Here’s the thing about tubes:

Inexpensive
Quiet
High Quality Sound

You can’t have all 3. You can only have 2.

Others here will disagree, but although my amp is tubes, my phono stage isn’t. Tubes can become noisy as they age. You are dealing with millivolts (tiny signals) and under most circumstances I think you are better off without tubes for your phono stage. The ones I would recommend are $2800 and up. The one I lust after is $9k give or take. You don’t have to spend anywhere that to get a great phono stage- check out the Darlington Labs MM-6 (starts at $329 and sounds way more expensive). The phono stage built in to the NAD C316 BEE is no slouch though.

Agree with @HiFi Guy here, start with the built in NAD phono or similiar. Then you can upgrade the phono stage down the road.

There are many users of the solid state Darlington phono preamps on here. Best sounding Audiophile Phono Preamps using High Voltage J-FETs, No Op Amps, Zero Negative Feedback — Darlington Labs
In fact there may still be a N&G evaluation unit making the rounds here that you could get on the list to try?

If you want to look into phono tubes I would start with the Hagerman Cornet

Cornet3 - MM Vacuum Tube Phono Preamp

Originally available as a Kickstarter project, the Cornet3 delivers high performance on a budget.

hagerman-audio-labs.myshopify.com

Be wary of any tube products that just add a tube buffer stage.

*links and info now corrected

 

[HiFi Guy]

Agree with hfg here, start with the built in NAD phono or similiar. Then you can upgrade the phono stage down the road. There are many users of the solid state Darlington phono preamps on here. MM-5: Discrete High-Voltage J-FET RIAA Phono Preamp - Long Term Satisfaction — Darlington Labs

If you want to look into phono tubes I would start with the Hagerman Cornet

https://www.darlingtonlabs.com/shop/p/product-name-3-4hwleTubebox

or Project Tubebox

Pro-Ject Tube Box S (Black)

Vacuum tube phono preamplifier for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges

www.crutchfield.com

Pro-Ject Tube Box S2

Vacuum tube phono preamplifier for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges

www.crutchfield.com

Be wary of any tube products that just add a tube buffer stage.

I think the Tube Boxes are just a buffer.

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

I think the Tube Boxes are just a buffer.

I wasn't sure, tx! I was thinking of the the DS, which unfortunately looks discontinued now.

 

[Joe Mac]

I think the Tube Boxes are just a buffer.

The original S was but supposedly the new S2 removed the op amps and uses FET for input and tubes for output. The reviews aren’t stellar though so I don’t know that I’d consider it.

 

[HiFi Guy]

@David A. Lots here have had great luck with the NAD refurbished from Safe and Sound linked above. It’s a great amp at a great price.

 

[Angsty]

I’d never recommend a powered speaker.

If you want to upgrade your speakers later, you have to start over. Same if you’d like to upgrade your amp later.

Every speaker and every amp sounds different. Buy powered and you are buying thei designer’s taste. Yours could be different.

While I respect HiFi Guy's experience and knowledge, I do disagree about powered speakers. For a first set-up, they can be a viable alternative to separates. I don't find it to be anymore "starting over" than having to sell another component to upgrade, but it does represent a different upgrade path than separates. I used to disdain powered speakers, but over the past few years I have heard good examples and they do save space and money in tight situations.

My systems are all separates, mostly because I'm old-school and I have grown disposable income and space over time. For people in different circumstances, there could be different choices that are better for them. Also, in full disclosure, I used a NAD preamp for more than 25 years before upgrading to a Bryston integrated in 2020. I kept the preamp, but upgraded speakers, power amps, turntables, Bluetooth and phono stages along the way. In this TTL set-up, the long term keeper is likely to be the turntable versus the speakers or phono stage.

 

[HiFi Guy]

While I respect HiFi Guy's experience and knowledge, I do disagree about powered speakers. For a first set-up, they can be a viable alternative to separates. I don't find it to be anymore "starting over" than having to sell another component to upgrade, but it does represent a different upgrade path than separates. I used to disdain powered speakers, but over the past few years I have heard good examples and they do save space and money in tight situations.

My systems are all separates, mostly because I'm old-school and I have grown disposable income and space over time. For people in different circumstances, there could be different choices that are better for them. Also, in full disclosure, I used a NAD preamp for more than 25 years before upgrading to a Bryston integrated in 2020. I kept the preamp, but upgraded speakers, power amps, turntables, and phono stages along the way. In this TTL set-up, the long term keeper is likely to be the turntable versus the speakers or phono stage.

I see your point.

If @David A. decides to go with a UTurn, they are known to hum with powered speakers. The factory had a fix- that doesn’t work. I along with a member from the old place tried to solve it. No luck.

I also recognize that I’m like a junkie in need of my next fix when it comes to music/gear. I actually try to avoid that when it comes to recommending gear for others. I attempt to recommend gear that should make the buyer happy for many years- while sticking to the buyers budget if possible.

There are three things I’ll never recommend. Ever.

Audio Technica LP-60. While I’m not a snob and don’t think you have to rob a bank to have a nice system, for the love of God, get a turntable that costs more than 4 new records and can’t be thrown across the room by a 90 year old woman like a discus.

Powered speakers.

Ortofon 2m Bronze. Buy a CD player. Some even sound better.