2. analog
  3. 134262-109600

Critique my setup

Guys - just looking to get into the vinyl space.  I've always been into audio (worked a hifi store when I was younger) and love to do everything with music.  With entering the vinyl space, I'm looking forward to the more involving experience and the more analog sound and enjoyment that comes from spinning records.  I'm also using this opportunity to try out tubes - I've always heard about them, always wanted to try them, never actually had the chance.  Where I live now, there are no hi-fi stores within a few hours, so I'm just biting the bullet and buying from online retailers with good return policies.  

I'm curious what you guys think of the following:
VPI Classic Signature (3D tonearm)
Ortofon Black Quintet MC Cartridge
VPI ADS
Manley Chinook Tube Phono 
Jolida 3502 Integrated (comes with EL34 - thinking about upgrading right away to KT150's)
Klipsch RF25 Towers 
Deftech Supercube I (will probably try with/without and see what I like)

I was thinking about the Sonus Faber Venere 3's for replacing my Klipsch towers, they seem to me the weak link here in the system.  

I listen to alt rock, indie, some oldies, rock, and not so much the classical or jazz - although if the right stuff finds it's way into my library, I'll probably listen to it.  

So questions:
What do you think of the setup?
Speakers - are they the weak link here?  Recommendations in the < 3500 space if I was going to replace them?  
Tips/Tricks that you might want to provide while I get started on this journey?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
mattyjman
mattyjman OP
5 posts
 
@shadorne thanks for confirming... I figured that’d be the case but it’s a good place for me to get started.  I figured if anything, the tubes might even make the Klipsch sound even better haha
mattyjman OP
5 posts
 
@twoleftears second person that’s said that... I thought they were reviewed pretty highly. Any suggestions?
mattyjman OP
5 posts
 
@helomech regarding the ads... have you used it before or just referencing something you’ve heard?  Was a little curious if I was going to see any gains with this unit or not, but thought I’d try it at least and see... if nothing else I can send it back
helomech
1,673 posts
 
@mattyjman,

Here is the reply I received straight from VPI:

"Hey helomech, yes there was a time we had essentially a "mini power supply" in the table. It won’t work with the Phoenix or SDS. The ADS was made while keeping in mind we had models out there with the mini PS board in there so it works but honestly... save the money, don’buy any of it and put the money in the cartridge (great cart for the money IMHO) and you will have a much greater jump in your sound improvement. Overall hope you’re enjoying the table."

He was referencing the Sound Smith cart I was considering at the time, a cart that didn’t turn out to be so great.

I should add that the Phoenix Engineering guy (maker of the Falcon PSU) said that these tables with the "mini power supply" (the tables compatible with the ADS) won’t benefit from any speed controller whatsoever, because the built-in power supply regenerates any input signal and negates any possible improvement.
rbstehno
1,432 posts
 
IMO both your speakers and amp are your weakest links. You are a tube guy so IMO I would stay away from Sonus Faber, these speakers tend to be a little dark and tubes won’t help lighten them up. If you like tubes, try out the rogue Cronus magnum II with kt-120 tubes. I used to own 1 and they are underrated.
if you go tubes, try some ushers/Wilson’s/others that are not so dark.
More to discover