2. analog
  3. 172765-2047

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 2 responses by sandthemall

sandthemall
544 posts
 

If I were in your situation, I would look at the Denon PMA-110A.

It’s the real deal.

This is the anniversary edition of this 2ch integrated amp.

It has an excellent partitioned dedicated phono section.

80 watts into 8ohms and it doubles down to 160 watts into 4ohms

Stable to 2 ohms and will push a 1 ohm load.

Dual mono: two transformers! 

Its not cheap (just under 4k) but it’s a poor man’s Luxman.

Then get a $1000 turntable. If you can push a little higher, the Technics 1200GR is tough to beat.

 

sandthemall
544 posts
 

Dynamic range of digital is greater, yes. But that’s because it’s super quiet. It’s super quiet because it’s limited to 20hz-20khz, it’s filtered and it’s missing musical information. So ’more dynamic range’ sounds great but is a little misleading.

Don’t mistake dynamic range for frequency response or musicality. Vinyl walks away from digital with those.

I listen to both and they’re simply different musical experiences.

It’s really nice to have both if you can swing it.

But yes, outstanding vinyl performance takes more than a little effort and dollars.

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