Helping a kid out


So long story short I got neighbor kid into audio and to appreciate listening to music on something other than a cheap Bluetooth speaker.  He’s pretty young but a good kid, a hard working honest kid.  So far he’s accumulated his old mans Dual turntable that I helped him clean up and installed an Ortofon 2M Blue on it, a nice but older Marantz integrated and a pair of Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers.  I hooked him up with a pair of Kimber 8TC speaker cables I had retired a while ago (lol, probably making them the most expensive part of his system).  He’s looking to upgrade and I suggested trying out a dedicated phono stage.  I’m assuming his budget is in the $200 range and I told his old man I wouldn’t let him buy something stupid.  I had no idea the sheer volume of phono stages in this price range on the market.  What would you guys and gals suggest?  My knee jerk reaction is Schitt Mani and I read a few good things about a Bellari unit but holy cow the choices are infinite.  Maybe something a little higher end but used?  Extra points if it can be purchased from Amazon but that’s by no means a deal breaker.
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Showing 1 response by jollygreenaudiophile2

I just have to ask.
 Is the young fellow (In point of fact). "So inclined", to do all that is required and involved with the gift of an "Electronic parts kit"?
 I ask because many, "Nearly all", seem suddenly bewildered when I bring up the fact that it is possible to build things of this sort yourself.
Just think of ALL the new tasks needed (Including soldering) to follow this through to completion. And also, simply the cost of all the, "Ancillary" items, I.E. "Solder, liquid flux,  flux brushes, paste flux, de-soldering wick, flux cleaner, and on and on and on...  None are free.
 A decent, but "tiny", tin of "Tip conditioner", will set you back, ($20) now.
So it, "May" be quite daunting to him. I know that as a young, detail oriented "perfectionist" myself.  It was VERY daunting to me long ago....
What I have mentioned above is but, the tip of the iceberg too!

And anyone whom brings up a "($20) kit from Ebay" of the items mentioned above for a build?
 Remember one of the rules I have heard so often here;
                  "Crap in, Crap out".
Because I believe that could be applied here.

Anyway, If he "is" into it? GREAT! 
But if he's not....
OR, If for any other reason a "kit" does not work out?
Contact me. I may have a few things, "Laying around'.
That he may be interested in.
Hey, If we all start just giving stuff away? "Audiogon" will see an uptick in new members too!
I will mention though, that the "Powers that be" here became more than a bit confused when I simply, "gave" someone here that was just starting out a set of gear,  "preamp and amp" for free. "I did have the Lad pay the shipping fee's though, ($450)"! Well, most of it anyway...