So the OP is on the pursuit of form over function. Maybe a trip to Walmart is the solution. Maybe accepting that an integrated amplifier or receiver with a built-in phono stage is the solution?
High-end TT setup with phono stage built in
Does this exist, other than the yet to be released Burmester: https://www.burmester.de/en/home-audio/reference-line/175-turntable.html at 30000$, my budget is 1/10th that.
I am looking for SQ of a $5000 (2k TT, 1k cart, 2k phono stage) analog setup but don't want yet another box (phono preamp). Budget <5000$
Why so? Let's just say I am obsessed with reducing the number of boxes in my condo.
I am looking for SQ of a $5000 (2k TT, 1k cart, 2k phono stage) analog setup but don't want yet another box (phono preamp). Budget <5000$
Why so? Let's just say I am obsessed with reducing the number of boxes in my condo.
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Sadly, my integrated amp of choice has everything (dac, amp, preamp, streamer and room correction) but no phono preamp (this was an overlook on my part, I thought it had a phono built-in). I have gone a phase of separates everything (tube monoblocks, preamp, amp etc), perhaps want to spend the next few years, with the convenience of one-box that can be left on all the time and sound great instead of switching on every damn box and waiting for it to heat up and sound great. I will listen to more music and fuss less about the gear (with a one-box solution) was my theory. And so far that is true. With one system that can be kept on all the time and play music whenever I have a few minutes, I am enjoying my music collection that much more. (I still have my monoblocks and DAC in storage for when I get through this phase and crave the midrange magic of the 300Bs) My main reason about having all in one is that the work is done for me, I don't want to spend the time matching phono, tonearm, cart etc. I just (at this point in my life) want to listen to music, good music, crossing a level of satisfaction threshold (sure, I could do better getting separate pieces, but that 5% improvement is not worth it for me now). SME synergy sounds awesome actually (although it does have two pieces, wonder what is its price). It seems like VPI player, and Rega P1 plus are the only options otherwise. Perhaps I might have to succumb and buy a phono and a TT, which is a bit of a buzzkill in this minimalist phase of my audiofool life. But c'est la vie. Thank you for as usual everyone for being ever so friendly and ready to help a fellow audiophile. |
VPI Player? Not quite up to budget but if a lifestyle product is your requirement and you can improve the cartridge maybe. Build yourself a Lenco based deck, you can make space for a phonostage in the plinth you build yourself, you get to pick the arm and they run off mains voltage. You’ll have to try hard to avoid a turntable with a ps at the level you’re thinking of anyway so what’s another box? |
Adding my voice to an old discussion, but I thought it would be helpful to note the T+A G 2000 R with the Clearaudio-style tonearm and internal MC phono stage option is a pure delight to operate and sounds better than the AMG Giro G9 I had in my system (matched even with expensive external phono preamps). Among others, there is a helpful review on HiFi News with associated measurements here: https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/audiosystems/r-series/g-2000-r-turntable/ |
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