Recommend some mid-range speakers/amps

99Problems

I'd like to finally upgrade my stereo now that I've nailed down my LP collection. I'm looking for recommendations on quality speakers and amps. I'd like to invest in something that sounds great and will be durable for some time. I'm not really an audio-phile so please tell me what you know.

99Problems

Also recommendations on some good audiophile websites and stores would be cool.

Fatback

Best bang for your buck speakerwise are Klipsch



$350

It's hard to find a new good midprice integrated amp that has a phono stage. Are you running 2 decks through a mixer? Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

Fatback

Also recommendations on some good audiophile websites and stores would be cool.

acousticsounds.com

99Problems

Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

I don't use a mixer. Just one turntable.

Diggin

harman kardon 970


Wharfedale Emerald


Both have gotten lots of "best buy" recommendations. I love my Wharfedales.

Fatback

Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

I don't use a mixer. Just one turntable.

Then you might want to go for a vintage integrated amp. Something with at least 200 watts. I see them all the time at thrifts they were made for records and sound great.

Even the best entry level newer audiophile amps require an addtional/external phono stage. I hate that, but some people don't care.

or

You may have a TT with a built in phono stage. Some of the vestax and stanton TTs have these.

Fatback

I even like these and see mint ones at the thrifts frequently for $20-$30.

Fatback

another classic workhorse:

Tabasko

It's hard to find a new good midprice integrated amp that has a phono stage. Are you running 2 decks through a mixer? Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

What would you recommend for two decks trough a mixer?
Right now I've got my mixer plugged into my amplifier, but Im thinking about getting active monitors and run them straight from the mixer.

99Problems

another classic workhorse:

What is this?

Does this have a phono setting?

Fatback

It's hard to find a new good midprice integrated amp that has a phono stage. Are you running 2 decks through a mixer? Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

What would you recommend for two decks trough a mixer?
Right now I've got my mixer plugged into my amplifier, but Im thinking about getting active monitors and run them straight from the mixer.

Well if you have active monitors, you don't need anything else.

I don't understand?

Fatback

another classic workhorse:

What is this?

Does this have a phono setting?

Sansui.

I believe it has two.

christopher

Kind of related, anyone know of a good place to get monitor stands or wall mounts?

Tabasko

It's hard to find a new good midprice integrated amp that has a phono stage. Are you running 2 decks through a mixer? Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

What would you recommend for two decks trough a mixer?
Right now I've got my mixer plugged into my amplifier, but Im thinking about getting active monitors and run them straight from the mixer.

Well if you have active monitors, you don't need anything else.

I don't understand?

I mean what would be the best sound-wise.

Amplifier+speakers or active monitors.

Dubious

yeah if you have a mixer or a phono amp i recomend you get active speakers.. every reciever / amp i've ever had (and ive had some really nice ones) has conked out at one point or another... havign less shit racked up and plugged in is always a good look in my opinion

Fatback

It's hard to find a new good midprice integrated amp that has a phono stage. Are you running 2 decks through a mixer? Oor do you want to plug your deck directly into your amp?

What would you recommend for two decks trough a mixer?
Right now I've got my mixer plugged into my amplifier, but Im thinking about getting active monitors and run them straight from the mixer.

Well if you have active monitors, you don't need anything else.

I don't understand?

I mean what would be the best sound-wise.

Amplifier+speakers or active monitors.

I have two systems:

1) A studio type DJ set up in my record room. 1200s, mixer, monitors, subs etc. I think for that kind of set up, it doesn't matter. I just like it loud. If you plan to DJ out and bring your own equipment, some would argue powered speakers are easier.

2) An old school "listening" system in the living room. Amp/TT and 4 speakers. Mrs. Fatback also made me hook up a CD player to it. PUKE. For this system, passive speakers are a must.

Oh and two stand alone tube mono record players for 78s and 45s.

Oh, oh and a crank up Victrola that scares the living shit out of me.

Dubious

most active monitors are desinged for studio / mixing usage so they tend to be very flat / neutral.. you will not get BASS in your face or WARMTH out of them.. but you will get an accurate representation of the actual record.. you can always add a sub

these are STOOPID cheap and very good.. 75 watts, optional sub, seperate amp for the hi and lo... headroom for DAYS

i likes

Fatback

The main drawback for active speakers is that if you blow the speaker, you've lost an amp too and vice versa.

Zeus

I have two systems:

Oh and two stand alone tube mono record players for 78s and 45s.

Oh, oh and a crank up Victrola that scares the living shit out of me.

Post pics or you're soft

mojoworkin

www.acousticsounds.com is your one stop e-shop for everything. Vinyl, cd, amps, speakers, and turntables.

Unless you're a d.j., you don't need Techics/Stanton/Numark anything - only use that shit if you're playing out and drinks could possibly spill on your shit.

Right now I'm rocking a Sumiko Pro-Ject Xpression turntable, a NAD integrated amplifier, a Pro-ject phono pre-amp, and Mirage bookshelf speakers, and I don't play shit unless I've given it a thorough cleaning with my Nitty Gritty.

G_Balliando

Oh, oh and a crank up Victrola that scares the living shit out of me.

those things scare the shit out of me too. especially when in some cobwebbed-out unfinished basement from 1925 and no lights. they sound very creepy.

99Problems

What generally sounds better??

A vintage integrated amp or a brand new quality-made integrated amp with a phono stage?

Fatback

What generally sounds better??

A vintage integrated amp or a brand new quality-made integrated amp with a phono stage?

you mean with a separate phono stage?

I don't think there is a sound difference. It's just an extra piece of equipment to take up space and cost money.

99Problems

What generally sounds better??

A vintage integrated amp or a brand new quality-made integrated amp with a phono stage?

you mean with a separate phono stage?

I don't think there is a sound difference. It's just an extra piece of equipment to take up space and cost money.

No, built in.

Fatback

this is one of the best intergrated new amps for an entry level price.

believe it or not, $1200 is entry level.



but it needs a separate phonostage

$250

Fatback

What generally sounds better??

A vintage integrated amp or a brand new quality-made integrated amp with a phono stage?

you mean with a separate phono stage?

I don't think there is a sound difference. It's just an extra piece of equipment to take up space and cost money.

No, built in.

Vintage is always a crap shoot. you have no warranty and could end up throwing away money trying to get it fixed.

If you have the money go new.