Just retired and want to get back to vinyl listening

that AR.. is a bit of monster..... at 16K or so it is a bit much for that part of my new setup given the overall target budget ;-)  how much to replace the tubes????????????

thanks for sharing one end of the bell curve for I-amps

I’m targeting vinyl -- but I have a large collection of CD’s most bought in the 80 -- I gave my vinyl and turntable to my brother along with the Genesis speaker in the 80’s - I think he still has the LP’s -- I have all the CD’s I have ripped to FLAC files for use "occasionally" on a SONOS setup -- so I may get a CD player again - not sure -- I have not bought a CD in nearly 4 years-- but could use the SONOS player with high quality DAC to feed the integrated on one of the inputs

probably should have mentioned the SONOS multi-room setup -- but I do not use it that much lately

thanks... I pretty much for last 20-25 years have only had a HT type setup with Denon receivers and NHT speakers all round with hsu VTF mk2 sub -- some music listening but not a large amount.. I built up a very large collection of DVDs and Blurays abd even rip this to large storage server for HTPC playback -- but for this project I’m going back in time when I did much more stereo music listening and want a good setup just for that...I be buying vinyl for the most part of this new phase of retro life. I also had some Time Frame 500 speakers for a while in 90’s..

so I do plan to go listen to speakers that I can.. I have good memories on the herseys and Genesis speakers, but it has been so long -- I need to relisten -- I do like the retro look of the luxman integrateds and not sure I want to get full separates for this setup I moving to Spokane Wa in 4 weeks -- from northern VA -- so will be doing the setup after I find a new place to rent in Spokane -- as my first location to live in retirement

as noted TT is hardest to work out as I have not had a TT since 1985 or so

hard to find speakers more efficient than the Klipsch heritage line.. other suggestion is the larger - tower type  -- probably cannot do speakers that need the larger 2 feet or more from the wall

as noted -- I’m reeducating and will go to some shops around here if possible before my move -- I set the budget to get input and to shop for the redo of new stereo - mainly vinyl listening setup to enjoy these "golden years" -- I get it that my old experience from my "poorer" 70’s and 80’s days is ancient history - hence the education for today

I will be buying the setup after my move to Spokane WA

as noted in another thread -- it seems many places have limited choice on shops to audition things

I like the retro look of the luxman integrated amps -- if that helps a bit on me going somewhat retro here - they have a good rep it seems and have a decent starter phone stage built in it seems - I could bypass this later with separate phone stage as I learn -- other choices?

I'm not about massively loud volumes -- just clear - musical - voice and instrument separation decent soundstage for a moderate sized room -- not really a large room

thanks all for the feedback

not necessary -- but I’m fairly sure I want integrated amp of very good quality versus separates in my starting setup -- I put out some thoughts as a starting discussion to see where the conversation went to help give me some ideas... given where I’m moving to -- I’m expect I’ll have to order online - whether new or used.. another data point -- I did visit a friends home recently -- that retired from my same office recently and he had a VPI scout - audio research pre and amp- some home built speakers and separate phone stage -- He is one that pointed me at this site and has sold and bought here -- . I did decide then I wanted an integrated amp highly rated a - a/b amp for just fewer pieces as a start... hence the insertion of the luxman strawman

thanks

what is the diff -- between ax and axii?? 

specific accuphase I-amp to research?

thanks all for lots of good suggestions advice.. moving van is coming in 4 weeks -- still packing -- taking all my HT and computer stuff after my 4 days "vacation" to Shenandoah NP next week.

yes -- I plan to buy after I move and get into a new place... as it will effect final choices..

Luxman is high on the list likely 550, but could stretch to 590 as hedge to driver a wider range of speakers over time and will look harder at the Accuphase E-470 or stretch to E-600, but as noted the phone stage on these are separate purchases either as their cards or external -- Luxman maybe a better starting point for me and put some of the saved money in other parts of the setup, but will review other I-amps as suggested

There is one decent here in town I may be able to go audition the Devore speakers -- not sure what models they have --  Klipsch Cornwalls are still on the list but I will try to audition others and may well need a trip to Seattle or Portland after I get into a place in Spokane

research on TT has me looking at VPI Scout - stretch to Prime - Musichall 9.3 or Po-Ject -- so reading much on these and will try to view in person

as noted -- I have 500+ cds ripped to FLAC on a server and use the SONOS for intermittent very casual - as noted background music -- I I have a ZP80 into my HT setup + 4 other room SONOS players -- I do use it less today than when I first got SONOS 10+ years ago or so -- I could relocate ZP80 to the new setup and add in a better DAC -- suggestions?

lastly just for education - conversation -- what are suggested interconnects and cable -- that does seems to get lots comments -- consider this connections - cabling for VPI or MusicHall TT  - Luxman - Cornwalls as an example -- even if choices are not near final..

thanks for all the suggestions - comments -- very helpful in getting me to spend some money to enjoy my retirement 

BTW on the ripped music - streamer aspect -- I have my FLAC files on a QNAP NAS that the SONOS systems accessing  --  I have another larger server system for ripped DVDs and Blurays for the HT with 2 viewing setup -- a primary Denon and NHT with HTPC on large Panasonic plasma - I hope survives the move as it a great TV 65in ZT60 -- not made anymore for living room and a Projector - Yamaha sound bar for the bedroom, this stuff is what I have played with and updated over the last 15-20 years, all of that and the many pieces and parts and stands probably has 30-35K of original and upgrade cost over 2 decades ---  but the new project is all about stereo audio listening and getting back to vinyl

it is far less pickings than in the 70-80's but back then in school and other professional training - I had far less decretionary money than now

I only have 2-3 places that I can get too prior to the moving van and drive away.. one has devore speakers as mention in an earlier entry.  their is a best buy magnolia - but it not really in the class of things being mentioned here.  I also would like to hear martin logan 60xts and some others in that style -- but I will have to decide and buy once I get a place in spokane

again -- all thanks for the info.. lots to think about...  Just a another specific directional discussion - while I'm heavily leaning to speakers like Cornwalls ( I am concerned if I can fit these into the places I may rent in spokane based on internet searches of rentals with garages for my new yukon  - even the Devore 0/93 - o/96 styles are retro appealing - even Volti Rival mentioned - keeping more retro -- I will be listening to the tall thin types like ML 60XT - Definitive Tech Mythos and other in a wide price range like this to include devore - KEF towers - just to understand what is out there..  I do need the speaker to do vocals as clean - natural as possible and have clear - not muddled reproduction and sound stage for the hearing the various instrument on good source -- I a low - modest volume listen of variety of material that include jazz - instrumental - singer - songwriter - classic songs by male and female vocalists that have instrumental voices -- some classic soft rock -- but I rarely listen to hard rock or metal - so what I'm after is not about hard pounding loud rock

I have shy’ed away from electrostatic panels so far - but will give a listen..

as noted - thanks for all the advice... I expect I will need to travel to some shops in western WA after I get moved and outfit the place I rent with a new bed etc.. and have my moved stuff delivered -- I do have a small project to have a Truck Vault setup put in my Yukon which would be a trip over to Sedro-Woolly area 

obviously in retirement - I’ll have the time

lots to think about and I will try to "hear" what I can

Thanks again..

I have my old reference from late 70's into Mid 80's of my modest setup of my Genesis then Hersey speakers attached to my retro with meter sliver front Yamaha receiver and Technics TT as a graduate and veterinary student........had an lower end Nakamichi cassette deck to make music for the car/truck from my albums......it is a good old memory --

so much to relearn and listen too now... with more discretionary money 

will have much more time to actually spend listen to the setup

The listed 590 ax Luxman is tempting, but I must be patient and get moved first.................

I hope to listen to that specific set sonus faber speakers and the vandersteen quarto wood ct -- devore gibbon x and the box types devore 0/96 -- maybe even the harbeth box 40.2 -- the vandersteen 5A is outside my budget for this first setup.. Also it brings on another separate discussion on speakers with built bass amps - version passive bass stages in the speakers I have been mostly looking at.   I may stretch speakers to around 12-14Kish, but was hoping for 5-10K as the overall budget was 20ish -- we will see -- I may start in the 15-20 K range for all the sundries and the update as I learn and experiment

starting point is modest memory replicant -- TT - I-amp - speakers with a retro feel and experiment from there

thanks for all the input -- I will get down and serious on buying after I get moved and have a new place..

The Pass integrated is like the accuphase E-600/E-470 in that it seems it would need a phone stage bought separately... all considerations -- all good integrateds

yes -- card or standalone - would be additional purchase with accuphase -- could go either -- there is also the consider of the 2 slots and the DAC card for some inputs -- but I'm mostly focused here on getting back to vinyl listening.. both luxman and accuphase -- have the "look" I'm after for the retro -- like my old yamaha receiver --  Yamaha and most like brands are not the same today as what I had in the 70's - 80's  --

pretty much decided it will be a class a to a/b integrated typical of the luxman accuphase type styles -- but still open to other suggestions

greg -- what are your direct usage and "hearing" thoughts on the luxman 590 and the accuphase e-600

thanks

bill - I get what you are saying -- I think I'm ready to get back to vinyl and explore

all -- I’m starting my education and asking and listening as noted in first post

thanks for the input -- some things suggest while interesting and I do go read on all suggestions are out of what I have budget for at least my first start setup

again thanks all for input.......... been away about 4 days in Shenandoah NP visit.. only 2 weeks before moving van comes.. I’m interesting learn about separate phone stages versus say the one built into the luxman 590axII -- as this was mention in the inputs -- thanks

all the record "cleaning" devices is a whole other learning area

Well -- I got out and listened to some devore speakers today -- Gibbon X

I liked the sound on a variety of material played through a clearaudio TT and some Auralic streamer and linear magentic integrated tube amp

I still likely will stay on my Luxman 590 bent for now -- but what I heard was good -- I will go back in a few days as they will set up some devore 0/93 speaker to listen to as well -- they have no 0/96 in stock

the Gibbon X are a contender, but many more listen to do...

The ClearAudio Concept Wood with Satisfy Carbon Fiber tonearm and Clear Audio Maestro V2 MM cartridge was nice -- I may well start with this TT and set up... after looking at my friends VPI Scout setup -- starting with a good TT and can update if I wish later

nothing was bad, but I spent 2 hours listening to various sources and different types of music on the Devore Gibbon X speakers -- as noted they sounded good --  They had devore 0/93s in the shop but not set up. I'll go back and listen to those within the week as they are hooking the up -- they had a lot dynaudio speaker and some others -- some way outside my price range -- I did not bother with -- I did not bother with smallest bookshelfs on stands -- which they had several of these set up for demo at lower price points that the devore speakers

we talked a lot on speaker and equipment recommendations / advice I received -- I was there over 3 hours -- talk to the owner as he had sold Luxman until the distributor change and the main other person who spent the time with me...  both by the discussion and what they related have been in the audio business 30-40+ years... both were positive on luxman 590 -- even though it is hard now find dealers with the distro change

they sell VPI TT but did not have any setup and had several clear audio set ups at a variety of price points and some others that went way up into the 5 digits in cost and I just had a gapped mouth on a 5000-6000 dollar record cleaner from clearaudio -- I likely will not go there - lol

we did talk only a tiny bit on DAC streamer/server as this was a source for some of the demo'ed material and discussed my SONOS set up as additional source to include using a DAC between the ZP80 and the luxman

I did go to a local Magnolia store, but it had nothing of interest and no one with any knowledge to talk with -- so was a waste of time

I have one other high end place to visit prior to my actual drive away to spokane after the 10th of October that has harbeth - audio note - quad speakers

These guys where nice and helpful and I may well buy my starter TT from them as they will spend time - walking me through setup and play the the TT setup with various speakers ( I can then carry to TT with me in my yukon as slowly work through other choices) and if I decide to give the devore speakers a go after listening to other things -- I may buy them from this shop in falls church as there are few devore dealers -- from where I will be living the closest is 8-10+ hours away in Victoria BC or further way down into CA.. I would need to have the shipped - drop shipped etc..

I'll report on the 0/93s..  fson... did you listen to other models before you bought your 0/93s -- 0/96 or Gibbon X..  I still have several other speakers to listen too before my purchase....  The Gibbon Xs seemed to do well through lows - mids - highs --- seem ed to really well in mids..  highs were good and bass was decent -- but I'm did not really listen to things that were a real "low" bass test -- like some organ music --  but overall the gibbon X did well at moderate to low listening volume -- I 'm not a really loud music listening person -- definitely very little to none of the real pounding rock - heavy metal sound

thanks fson -- I will give the 0/93s a good listen before I move -- If I decide on Devore I may need to have the dealer I’m getting my local in house audtions and reeducation from a nod to selling me the speakers as there will be no dealer anywhere close to me in Spokane.. btw how picky on placement do you find the 0/93s -- how far out from the wall -- how far apart - anything between

I have decided to buy the TT from them as a starter and then can work with them if still needed after the move on speakers.. They are going to take me through setting up the TT and adjusting - measuring things on the concept TT and will use it for more next demo’s in their shop of the devore speakers -- I not that interest in the other speakers they have in house... I’ll basically rebox the TT in the shop with them and haul it with me in my yukon versus having with the stuff handled by the moving company.

I also will be visiting one other dealer here in VA - further away to listen to harbeth and audio note speakers -- I do wish to hear for my legacy memory a set of Klipsch Hersey-Cornwalls just to hear them and have a old memory comparative -- I plan to try to list to a KEF Ref5 and Sonus Faber Olympica IIIs if possible -- maybe legacy audio focus SE -- on a trip to the western WA area shops after I move and settle in spokane - it would roughly be a 3-4 days round trip to get out there and hit some shops in a 2-3 day time frame with the rest being travel time

pretty much decided on the luxman integrated and will buy they after move and paying for the move and getting new bed, etc in new place in spokane - probably a early christmas present for myself --

will be in WA -- Spokane.. moving van comes 2 weeks from day -- I drive away a day or two later after check out of the apartment -- 2500 miles to Spokane -- probably more with side trips along the way..

thanks for the input ---  the Daedalus speakers are pretty things -- what is their sound compared to the Devore Gibbon X??

inna -- thanks for that -- I think I’m after a Luxman 590 -- although that is a tempting offer..............trying to understand the difference between the AX and AX mkII Luxman integrateds -- These are difficult beast to go see in shops.. The place I auditioned the Devore speakers - the owner had sold them until the distributor change.. I’ll be getting the I-AMP and speakers after the move...

len -- thanks.. I decided on a clearaudio concept wood with satisfy carbon fiver arm and the clearaudio maestro v2 MM cartridge to start -- I had read about and discussed the VPI tweaking with my friend who has a VPI Scout and with the shop I bought the TT from as they are also a VPI dealer -- they are going to take me through setup and care and feeding of the beast -- I do not think I will be an endless tweaker, but could upgrade change some things over time.

in my first round of "stereo" decades ago -- over a 16 year period -- I had Genesis (I can not remember the model - but was a big bookshelf style like an old Advent), Heresy, DCM TF500 speakers (these were ok, but I was traveling and moving so much in my early Active Duty days in the mid 80’s this is wre I give up my TT and other "stereo" things for a number of years -- Yamaha and Denon Receivers, Technics TT -- etc all

I would like to hear some of the ATM classic series speakers

oops - that would be ATC Classic series  -- lots of ATC models have built-in amps -- that is not where I'm interested in going for this setup...

Did some more listening and learning today from the other hifi audio place close to me.. nice people as well

this trip was to specifically listen to Harbeth and Audio Note Speakers..  some side listen to some shop made very large and very expensive setups, but back to things in my budget

they did not have the Harbeth 40.2s in the place - but had 30.1s and they were very good with both digital and vinyl sources through Synthesis I-amps  or some in house built amps

Audio note speaker listen was an AN-E -- This was very very good and a smaller model AudioNote

The AN-E seems much like a Devore 0/93 that I have not heard yet -- will this week or next

These speakers all were very good with tube I-AMP  - heard with Synthesis A100 and A40

I may give the node to the AN-E for just natural listening to music...

thoughts on these speakers and Synthesis AMP -- I really was not going to tubes -- but may -- it is a time to listen more -- not sure I'll be able to listen to these various speakers with a Luxman I-AMP - but wish too

another 2+ hours well spent in the education

back on track.... I will listen to some o/93 within the week.....before the move in 2 weeks..... I still have no options yet to hear Harbeth 40,2 and and o/96 -- I may well not have a big enough room for them -- we’ll see where I end up and measure room.

The earlier pointer to Chapman and Daedalus speakers may well be part of western part of WA multi-day soiund trip to see and learn other things before I buy -- I’m taking it all in and will be listening - audition more..... I have the time..

also well I am listening to and learn on tube integrated and still have luxman integrated in sight -- what are anyone thoughts on Mcintosh integrated like the MA6700 -- just a little OP redirection for all ;-)

BTW -- both dealers I have visited since my decision to invest in vinyl and some higher end stereo setup -- but suggest tube amps for the speaker types I have been most interested in -- I understand this advice -- I think both are straight shooters and willing to give time and discussion of various topics -- so the journey continues

thanks all

BTW -- it is a learning curve on the AN-E as they have variety of models in a large price range -- I think as I get through this - first round of speakers for the new setup will likely come in the 5K to 15K range depending on what I end liking best and whether I do new or used

thanks sql...

I think I’m good with starting with the clearaudio concept wood for my first foray back into vinyl after 35+ years...

as noted earlier in the thread -- I listen to Harbeths -- specifically the M30.1 with a synthesis A100T tube integrated -- it was really good and in the same shop I listened to Audio Note AN-Es and AN-Js again with tube integrated -- IT was close but I thought the AN-E were a little better for my taste that the M30.1s the AN-E is very much like the Devore O/93 that I will audition this Wednesday -- I listened to the Gibbon X on a line magnetic tube integrated amp at the shop last time -- they also were very nice -- I’ll to some other speakers mentioned after I move next week -- but the Harbeth - Devore - Audio Notes are real contenders for the new setup

The integrated amp part is still leaning to the Luxman, but I also like the looks of the Leben CS600 as a tube amp, but that puts me into having to get a phone preamp/stage - which I do not know if I quite there yet.. the whole tube versus a SS class amp like the Luxman is a hard choice.. would be nice if I could audition these as well -- but the amp and speakers will be on back burner until after I get moved to Spokane and find a new place to live.......... moving van comes next Monday

I do have a question -- if folks would be so kind -- about pro/cons on using the rca line inputs - outputs versus the balanced I/O on some of these equipment pieces -- I have no experience at all on the balance I/O - thoughts?

Thanks for the education -- info...... given the comment on cartridges -- curious as to why more TT/tonearms would not have balance outputs and equipment inputs for these in various equipment be the xlr balanced inputs

interesting discussion,,,,,,,,,  I see some phono preamp-stage -- have "balance controls" that say this is for adjust issue of balance on the cartridge  -- I expect this is something different -- but the education continues  ;-)

Thanks all for the discussion...

I think I’m going down a reasonable path and balance for a restart in this hobby to enjoy some music.. I do not think I’ll get to the stage of say the "cartridge" discussion level of expertise details.. some of the discussions go further than my current needs, but are helpful in seeing what other say. I expect I will stay with an integrated amp for a long time - just not sure I will get to complete separates.

I’ve gone to 2 places here in VA just prior to the move.. felt comfortable enough to buy the starting new TT - arm - cartridge clearaudio setup -- I plan to go to some other place in the Northwest after I get moved and settled as I work to may final choices on other parts of the setup.. the thread illustrates what I’ve auditioned. I pick up the TT setup today, but for some hours in the shop it will be setup for some extend listening with Devore speakers and a few different integrated amps in my last audition prior to hitting the road for spokane next week.. I have the time to do some more auditioning, but it will require many hours of travel from where I will be living

Fson... in your paradigms - where are the Luxman - Accuphase SS class A types fit -- These are SS but do not seems all that "powerful" relative to most of the other SS offerings

again thanks all for the info and advice

so far $3200 for TT - arm - cartridge....

I think the Leben CS600 is a worthy piece -- but that gets me into a separate phone stage in my starting setup -- still not sure I'm quite ready to go there...  I know the "looks" are not the "sound', but I the retro look matters a bit to me for my starting project.. Already I may end with a mapleshade stand "industrial" looking to sit the TT and amp etc upon..

so far the acutal listening is been with "tubes" -- I going now to listen some more -- and they will swap in some SS amps

I just cannot really find a place yet to actually "hear" a luxman or leben even when I move -- I find nothing drivable within a day...

although it would be a secondary project --  I may well get a set of the smaller Harbeths or Audio Notes to listen to in the bed room setup -- maybe run from the same integrated amp in some way -- "b" speakers or via the pre out to a small amp with speaker -- again it would be a potential secondary project after the primary is done depending on what I-AMP I end up with...

builder3 -- thanks

I may do that once I get a place and settle a bit  - combine with trip west to visit some shops and listem more.  This is about your Luxman 590AX?

what speakers do you use with it? 

I'm still not opposed to used - keeping eye on the website, but I do need to move and get a place first..

builder3 - others

Are there any real differences -- improvements or problems of the newer 590AXII versus the older 590AX? what did they change that makes the new one most or less desirable?

Another question -- if I decide to try a tube amp -- say a Leben CS600 or a Line Magnetic 518A or other with a model of devore speakers -- BTW they are showing a new speaker this week - Gibbon Super Nine -- what are some suggestions for a phono stage between 500-1500 dollars -- if I end with a I-AMP without a phono stage

I’m still leaning to the Luxman -- but before buying -- I’m still learning and will try to get to some other places to listen directly and hear..


thanks

I plan to keep busy -- this project is just one of things I willspend time at.. I’ll not be doing music lessons - but I got a laugh from that ;-)

please don’t spoil my fun -- LOL

build.... thanks for the links..

I have a salamander synergy setup for my HT setup.. I’m looking at mapleshade for a stand and vibration platform on top for this project

there are cheap MDF and not so cheap MDF or engineered products - some of latter are far from cardboard... but a great deal of stands sold are pretty cheap card board like products

The salamander shelves are quite strong -- the triple wide - single high I use for main HT has 110lbs of plasma TV on top now - previous TV was another plasma that was 150lbs -- one of the 5 shelves I use in the setup carries a 60lbs plus 2200 VA sinewave UPS

but I’ll be doing a much stronger Mapleshade stand for the TT - AMP setup for the new project -- It is like the salamander archetype style only much more robust and they have a nice isolation platform I can use on top for the TT

inna

thanks for the input -- I'll keep learning -- you have very expensive taste.... I may get there over time in some upgrade -- but want a moderate start for new first steps back in this world..  partly why I'm leaning to a integrate with a ok phone stage to start -- and learn - audition separate stages later -- if I wish to try other cartridge -- tonearms TT beyond the clearaudio I starting with

I have been looking at power cable - interconnects - speaker wire for a "balanced" start in that area for some "good" - 'ok" cable -- again this is an areas -- I can upgrade and try new things over time to see if I can tell a difference from A and B choices

the power conditioner piece is another learning area -- I have started reading about

thanks all for input -- moving van comes tomorrow -- I should be on the road to Spokane by Thursday

anyone hear the devore gibbon super nine that debuts at the RMAF this week per tjeir website?? if so thoughts...............compared to gibbon x - the O/93 - O96

inna - thanks  - I appreciate what you and others say -- so it all helps with learning and final choices

the AN - OTO is indeed a nice SET amp -- would go well with AN speakers as you note -- it would need well chosen speakers to go with it's 10 watts -- it too has a great phone stage

again -- all thanks for input and discuss -- it is moving van day and it is raining for the first day in weeks here in northern VA