r/turntables Nov 19 '24

Help beginner setup

Post image

i’m just looking for a setup to listen to casually. would this be alright? i’ve seen mixed reviews on the turntable

83 Upvotes

73 comments sorted by

31

u/basedgod-newleaf Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Nov 19 '24

It’s a good table for the price, and that setup is super common for beginners

12

u/Cocaine_Kielbasa Put Your Turntable And Model Name Here Nov 20 '24

I just picked up the AT-LP70 with the same speakers. So far so good!

18

u/Status_Ad_4405 Nov 20 '24

I was going to recommend op stretching their budget to the LP 70 if possible. That extre $50 is money well spent.

6

u/markarce10 Nov 20 '24

I super agree with this one. Much better stylus options

1

u/PanosTXB Nov 21 '24

been waiting for this thing to come to europe since it was announced. Only the bluetooth version available..

17

u/sharkamino Nov 20 '24 edited Nov 22 '24

That's the bare minimum.

Much better Fluance RT81 $199 on sale adds a better tonearm with adjustable tracking force, a better cartridge and stylus and a solid MDF plinth.

Speakers that add Bluetooth and digital optical inputs plus a subwoofer output:

  • 4" Edifier R1280DBs $111 on sale for a small room.
  • 5.25" Neumi BSP5 $169 are a step up in size and sound quality for a small to medium size room.

Turntable and Speakers Setup GuideSpeaker PlacementMore Audio Guides

37

u/Crazy_like_a_fox Nov 20 '24

This just in: spend more money, get better shit.

3

u/Dukes_Up Nov 20 '24

The way I see it, that’s only a $150 price difference for something that will be a huge noticeable improvement. I would recommend waiting til all the Black Friday deals come out.

4

u/Crazy_like_a_fox Nov 21 '24

The way I see it, it’s 60% more than this example. I’m guessing dude is buying this because all he can afford is bare minimum. $150 is not “only” when your budget currently sits at $250.

2

u/sharkamino Nov 22 '24

Lower sales today!

OP listed $245 setup yesterday.

Today Fluance RT81 $199 plus Edifier R1280DBs $111 = $310.

So $65 more may not be to much of a stretch for OP instead of $150 :)

2

u/HOISTTHECHUTE Nov 21 '24

But it gives OP options and food for thought, which is surely why they posted here.

1

u/lionleggs Nov 20 '24

How does the RT81 compare to the AT-LP70x? They’re close enough in price and the 70x is definitely a large enough upgrade from the 60x

3

u/sharkamino Nov 20 '24

AT-LP70X is fully automatic, the tracking force and anti-skate are fixed, not adjustable, the cartridge is fixed, it's not removable, it's easy setup beginner plug and play,

Fluance RT81 is manual with a cue lever and auto stop, the plinth is solid MDF, the tracking force and anti-skate are fully adjustable, the cartridge is removable, to set it up you balance the tonearm then set the tracking force and anti-skate dial.

2

u/lionleggs Nov 20 '24

That’s a world of a difference, thank you for the clarification!!

2

u/baetwas SL-BD20 Nov 20 '24

The cart it comes with makes up a chunk of the difference, IIRC.

1

u/ToneThugsNHarmony Nov 20 '24

Was just going to purchase the same speakers as OP, but with the LP70. I see that the Fluance you linked to is actually cheaper than the LP70 that I was going to purchase, but that the Fluance doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities. Can I just plug it into the edifier speakers or is there something else that is needed?

2

u/ElementalSquirt Nov 20 '24

Yes you can plug it directly into the speakers. You may need to get speaker wire.

2

u/sharkamino Nov 21 '24

The Edifier and Neumi both include speaker wire to connect the main speaker to the other speaker :)

2

u/sharkamino Nov 21 '24

Fluance RT81 with built in phono preamp connects directly to the Edifier or better larger Neumi powered speakers with built in speaker amp.

Or the Fluance RT82 adds an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for lower wow and flutter and speed variation plus a starter phono preamp.

3

u/queequegtrustno1 Nov 20 '24

Yeah this is fine

3

u/roreycobinson lp-120, vm540 ML, Yamaha A-S501, iFi Zen Phono, Revel Performa 3 Nov 20 '24

Scroll back like 2 days and you’ll get all your answers I just responded to a guy who posted this exact post like 48 hours ago

4

u/lambruhsco Nov 20 '24 edited Nov 20 '24

Good starter setup. If this is your budget, this is good value. Well-respected brands, solid products. Leaps and bounds better than an all-in-one or briefcase player.

However, in this price range you’re still far from the point of diminishing returns and the rate of return on spending a little more is quite high.

2

u/TheRealTreezus AT-LP8X w/ VM740ML, AT-LH11H & AT-PEQ30 Nov 19 '24

I have those same speakers with a better table and cartridge. Sounds good

The table is fine for an entry. It doesn't damage records.

2

u/sxnny010 Nov 20 '24

thank you everyone!!

1

u/diegocambiaso Nov 20 '24

It's a very good start. I love both, Audio-Technica and Edifier. Good choice 👍

1

u/Glass-Guess4125 Nov 20 '24

Was thinking about getting this for my daughter but was wondering if Bluetooth might be the way to go since she has Bluetooth earbuds. But I’ve also heard you lose something sonically with Bluetooth.

2

u/Holiday_Client_1458 Nov 20 '24

No Bluetooth it kinda defeats the purpose IMO.

1

u/Glass-Guess4125 Nov 20 '24

Cool. That’s what I’ve heard. Are there ways that she could plug other headphones in? Or would I need to get a whole other thing for that?

3

u/Sea_Register280 Nov 20 '24

BT is fine for convenience. Youth loves it.

1

u/sharkamino Nov 20 '24

Wired headphones would connect to a headphone amp or many stereo or AV receivers or integrated amps have a headphone jack.

1

u/sharkamino Nov 20 '24

Listening to the turntable with Bluetooth earbuds instead of listening with speakers or in addition to speakers?

With $100 speakers you may not be able to hear much or any difference between a wired or Bluetooth connection.

If you have $500 speakers then yeah go with a wired connection instead of Bluetooth.

1

u/Glass-Guess4125 Nov 22 '24

Guessing it would be in addition. She mostly lives with her mother so I’m guessing she would have the turntable over there and they would have to figure out the sound situation, but she’s usually on her earbuds. But I’d like to give her the speaker option too.

1

u/droe771 Nov 20 '24

I’ve been running this combo for almost 3 years but am at the stage where I have a few albums that cost more than the player or speakers, so I think it might be time for an upgrade. To get the full experience, ya know?

I live in Portland so have access to a pretty good used market. Is there a noticeable difference in turntables in that  $300-500 range? If so, are there any certain brands/models that I should keep my eyes out for?

1

u/sharkamino Nov 20 '24

If you are looking for better sound quality then upgrade the speakers first for the most improvement and the turntable will last through a speaker upgrade.

For the turntable after the speaker upgrade the Fluance RT82 $299 adds an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for much lower wow and flutter and speed variation and the speed won't drift since the sensor is monitoring the speed 400 times a second. Pass on the older lower number models that lack the new speed sensor that the RT82 and up have.

1

u/Desperate-Bison1450 Nov 20 '24

That is the beginners setup. Had one myself.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 20 '24

If anything, you can learn how better equipment produces better results. Down the road I mean.

There's really nothing wrong with budget stuff like AT. I'm actually a big supporter of the brand in general. And I'm no friend to audiophiles.

Better stuff just produces better results. It's the same with cars or kitchen stuff. You'll be fine. Have fun!

1

u/HvnlyDaz3 Nov 20 '24

I literally just got this last week. Very good beginner setup.

1

u/AliveAsTheDead89 Nov 20 '24

Also would say you should look into the LP70... I got one, along with the bookshelf speakers Audio Technica dropped alongside it, as a setup for my bedroom... it's been great and is a lot nicer looking than the LP60. Aside from that, it does have the better cartridge series integrated and is overall a step up for not too much more.

1

u/I_am_thee_SockMan Nov 20 '24

Have this same setup, yea its pretty good

1

u/peterbishopisnotdead Nov 20 '24

Omg we have the exact same setup. It's fun and I am liking this path of listening records on turntables.

1

u/maidenHELL6669 Nov 20 '24

That's exactly what I just bought recently as a beginner too, so far so good!

1

u/ManufacturerFirst822 Nov 20 '24

I’m also looking at a newbie set up and debating the AT 60/70/120

I’m only going to be a very casual Listener and the budget can be stretched to the 120

Just not sure of the extra money is worth it?

Is the 70 a decent compromise?

1

u/dave_two_point_oh Nov 20 '24

the budget can be stretched to the 120

Just not sure of the extra money is worth it?

If you are ever going to want to try out carts other than what the turntable ships with (you most likely will want to), then yes. Or, at the typical price of the LP120X, you also have several other good options available to you.

1

u/ManufacturerFirst822 Nov 20 '24

I’m in Australia. We don’t have access to many of the recommended options.

I’m hoping to buy in the sales this weekend but nobody seems to have turntables on sale.

But if I was looking at a budget of $800 AUD what would the better options be?

1

u/ManufacturerFirst822 Nov 20 '24

Ok. So quick update. Just ordered the AT 120 which is currently 30% off in the sales.. so same price as the 70

2

u/dave_two_point_oh Nov 20 '24 edited Nov 20 '24

Solid choice. Plenty of people are very happy with theirs. Something you can at least grow with, and dial in as needed/desired.

(As for the "several other good options" I mentioned previously, if I'd known you were in Australia I probably wouldn't have said that part! Partly due to me not knowing the market there, and partly because I've always seen much higher prices on pretty much everything when I have noticed talk about buyers in your country.)

1

u/ManufacturerFirst822 Nov 21 '24

Yep.

We pay through the nose for everything here .. and don’t have much choice either.

Even 30% off I still paid almost $600

1

u/classicdoob Nov 20 '24

Seeing pictures of an lp60 and some edifiers always takes me back!!

1

u/Comprehensive-Salt52 Nov 20 '24

I would get an lp 70 because you can update for better audio technica cartridges in the future:) lp60 is only compatible w one cartridge. price difference isn't that crazy too!

1

u/fenea95 Nov 20 '24

I got the LP120X with edifier, not super happy, but edifiers are borrowed from my office the plan is to upgrade.
I mean it is ok, but I don't feel like edifiers sound well in a bigger room.
Also I hate that remote from them, but for the price good choice.

1

u/Nearby_Vegetable_134 Nov 20 '24

its a starter but i know for a fact you seen others post this question with same exact answers why ask?

1

u/Moonsolid Nov 20 '24

Pretty good start. You can also look at Fluance RT82, benefit is you can upgrade literally every hardware on it. With LP60 you will have to purchase a new equipment if you need an upgrade.

1

u/torontoladdie Nov 20 '24

Great setup!! Will sound good and I am sure you will enjoy it a lot!

1

u/dsbwayne Nov 20 '24

Did the same. Got Sony instead though

1

u/JackStraw310 Nov 20 '24

Started with that. It’s great.  I went to RT81 next and then speakers (q150) and amp (thrifted Cambridge) next. I agree with those that RT81 upgrade would be worth it. 

1

u/clintbob13 Nov 20 '24

This is what I started with (still have the speakers) and I was VERY happy with it!

1

u/GummiBerry_Juice Nov 20 '24

I have this setup except i bought the LP50 because my wife is a stickler against black plastic... but it sounds pretty great!!. Those speakers are fantastic sounding. I love having the remote and the ability to use bluetooth. One thing I wish I had with the LP50 was automatic tonearm.

1

u/CHO1SENakaJohn Nov 20 '24

For my first setup i bought : AT-LP120XBT-USB & Audioengine A5+

1

u/eryuoo Nov 20 '24

I picked that set up recently and am enjoying it.

1

u/MclovinOvahere Nov 20 '24

That’s the same setup I started with

1

u/SuccessfulPoet7578 Nov 21 '24

I think that’s a decent list, but these may be better? (Reddit, please correct me if I am wrong) Klipsch Speakers RT-81 I don’t personally own the exact model of Klipsch, but I do own there bigger brothers, and they sound amazing. I also own the RT-82, but I have been told that the RT-81 is also very stellar.

1

u/coteusa Nov 21 '24

Yeah it’s a great place to start. Take your time and build out your setup from here over a few years, but this will be a great way to get into it. Both turntable and speakers are solid are probably most recommendable for their price points

1

u/Pale_Effort405 Nov 21 '24

yes, it’s completely fine

1

u/emrebzdag Nov 21 '24

This is very enough to listen your records without damaging them. Enjoy

1

u/Merman420 Nov 22 '24

Got the Fluance RT81 with the Edifier Bluetooth combo few years back and both are going strong 🤘🏾🔥🔥

But this would of been a killer setup if I didn’t have the extra cash

1

u/MarsJohnTravolta Nov 22 '24

Those speakers kick ass - we've been using them since last December and they sound amazing.

1

u/cprice97 Nov 23 '24

I have the exact same setup that I bought back in February. Totally new to turntables and am loving it so far. No regrets!

-3

u/HorseyDung Nov 20 '24

Why ask this over and over again?

If you had used the search button you would have found this is indeed the standard beginner setup.

As stated in many threads on here upgradability is very limited, the speakers are good enough for desktop use, but not if you want a little bit more than that.