Recommendations for a modestly-priced audio system?
As someone who enjoys reading about expensive equipment I’ll never be able to afford I think she would probably bee happy with a Cambridge Audio AXR85 receiver and KEF Q350 speakers. The receiver has a phono input and Bluetooth that works reasonably well within the same room. The speakers go on sale every 6 months which can save a couple hundred dollars but aren’t on sale now. |
You need to get some respect for her Vinyl, then help her, make her understand a phono equalization stage needs to be between the cartridge and any ’line level’ input. TT, cartridge, alignment of cartridge, stylus are all questionable. My approach: 1. new simple TT with built-in phono eq (these can be turned on or off. ’ON’ already equalized goes straight to any line level, i.e. straight to an Integrated Amp without a phono stage (most).. OFF must go to an external phono eq, somewhere, that then goes to line level. Audio Technica Belt Drive, optional eq built-in, cartridge pre-installed, aligned, new stylus. $120. (upgrade TT in the future) (add a phono stage later) https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60X-BK-Belt-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Resonance/dp/B07N3XJ66... Optional Direct Drive, USB out $280. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=audio+technica+turntable&qid=1617987198&sr=8-17-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNlVPV1dLRktTWVcyJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjE0NDgwRVpBTjA1WlNWUU5MJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4OTk5MjYxOTVVSlc0OUo4NkJWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYnRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== 2. efficient speakers, two way, no ports, nice highs, mids, some bass. (add self-powered sub in future) (upgrade the mains in the future) 3. integrated amp with remote volume. I like having balance, treble, bass, (manual is fine, remote is very nice) and it is always nice to have tone bypass. |
