Recommend an Entry Level Turntable (And maybe an integrated Amp)


I've been wanting to upgrade my system for a long time now.

My system currently consists of a pair of B&W 630's, an old Denon 50 watt reciever (DRA-550) from the mid 80's,  and a Marantz 5004 cd player.  I'm pretty happy with all three.

I'm looking to get into vinyl and The Project Debut Carbon turntable was recommended.  I listened to it but wasn't amazed by it. So I sent it back.

I then called my local audio store and the salesman said that if the system sounds good with cds but not with the turntable then the weak link is probably the phono pre amp.

So, he recommended the NAD C388 integrated amp which has the added benefit of more power (150 watts per channel) and bluetooth as well (something I definitely want).  He did qualify it by saying that reciever/amp technology hasn't changed much over the years.

He also recommended an upgrade of the turntable cartridge to the Sumiko Rainier.

Just thinking out loud.  I'd be open to adding a bluetooth and a new phono preamp to the Denon, but I'm not sure if that would be better.

TIA

klimt

Showing 1 response by oldaudiophile

@klimt, save some coin in your budget for a few basic vinyl accessories (i.e. record brush; stylus cleaner; anti-static poly sleeves; record cleaner; VTF gauge; etc.). Records require a little TLC if you want the sound quality to be all it can be. With the right TT, cart, phono stage, speakers... guess this amounts to the whole damn audio system, not to mention quality vinyl pressings... vinyl will provide a significantly more dynamic experience than Red Book CD's played, presumably, through the DAC in your Marantz or most other CD players. If you get an integrated amp with a good internal DAC, you might want to by-pass your CD player's DAC and use it as a transport by tapping into the amp's DAC with a good quality digital cable. If you've never done the vinyl thing before, I recommend you do some reading on basic care & handling of records, TT's, etc. Analog Planet is a good place to start and keep going to. Michael Fremer will become a new friend. Vinyl's not as easy and care-free as popping in a CD. However, with just a little effort, the reward in sound quality is certainly worth it!

If you buy a manual TT, I'd strongly recommend investing in a tone arm lifter, as well. You don't want your stylus spending any time bumping into the record labels after it hits the lead-out grooves.

For TT choices, I'd recommend you have a serious look & listen to the Marantz TT-15 with the Clearaudio cart it comes bundled with. That TT is actually manufactured by Clearaudio to Marantz's specifications. This one is hard to beat at anywhere near its price. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a dust cover. Kind of a stupid move by Marantz. You could probably find a cheap solution for this at an arts & crafts store like Michael's or at the website of an acrylic products manufacturer, instead of paying the crazy, wildly inflated prices for an after-market dust cover.

The Rega P3 with Ortofon Blue is another I've spent serious seat-time with that was/is very, very nice, indeed. I'm certain there are many other good choices in your budget range but those are the only two under 2K I've spent serious seat-time with that I would recommend without hesitation.

Finally, no matter what TT you go with, make sure you have a rock steady and level spot to put it on, especially if you go with a low-mass design like Rega.