Just retired and want to get back to vinyl listening


I'm reeducating myself.... after years of no TT and focusing on just stereo listening.. I had a some early Klipsch Hersey’s and some GENESIS speakers pair with Yamaha receiver and low end turntable 30-40 years ago -- I can afford a higher end setup this days -- so what are thoughts on pairing a luxman l-550axII with Klipsch cornwalls?

I like the Herseys for music in the day.. cornwalls seem to be larger herseys but may well need audtion some of the tower types folks seem to tout..

I still thinking on TT -- but may get a VPI scout or prime -- thinking through the cartridge choices and other things is still a serious education -- recc?

music taster are varied -- jazz to singer vocalist miles davis - linda Ronstadt and a host of others for vocal musics and instruments- soft rock of the 70-80s- to some classical

thoughts -- looking to 15-20K for the refit for stereo listening - but could stretch some if I like the setup

steventoney
Out of the the turntables considered, the VPI will be impossible to top.  The cartridge Id partner a prime with would be an Ortofon 2m black which would be very friendly with the MM inputs on many integrateds.  Soundsmith has great moving iron carts as well. For MC a great match would be Ortofon Cadenza Red coupled with a great step up transformer.  My VPI dealer is reference analog in Oklahoma.  

I absolutely think you are on the right path with Luxman.

Another almost impossibly musical integrated is the Wells Majestic with 150 watts.....

Devialet would be a wonderful all in one choice     and so elegant.....

Klipsch cornwalls would be my very last choice.........horns are just harsh and I revere everything Paul Klipsch did but audio moved on........you can do so much better in terms of overall musicality and emotional engagement.  That level  of system deserves more......If you like that high efficiency thang tho      look at Tannoy

my choices would be:

Look at Harbeth 7es3
Look at Marten Django (unbelievably musical)

Youd need more watts (used Mcintosh Integrated?)
but Magnepan 3.7s would give you the biggest dose of real instruments
in acoustic space in a way no dynamic speaker can.....Ive owned mine for four years and Im ridiculously content     but they are big.......

Be sure to browse show videos on avshowrooms      You  might consider going to Rocky Mountain next month to hear so many combinations.....

The chase should be the enjoyable part of this hobby     so listen lots and try not to have any preconceptions about anything......let your ears be the unbiased resource......

ive had a few VPI tables......here is my latest table    my first suspended table
Oracle Delphi MK Vi 2nd gen

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3wnfIAsQk


If you plan to be playing vinyl, here's a tip:

A lot of ticks and pops that are often associated with LP reproduction are actually artifacts of the phono preamp. This is because if the phono circuit is unstable, it can exacerbate a tick or pop event and make it much more audible than it actually is on the LP surface. This has nothing to do with bandwidth or EQ accuracy BTW- it has to do with how stable the circuit is.

You will find also that the better phono circuits do not require cartridge loading (assuming you are using a low output cartridge) as well (but just to make things more confusing, high output cartridges like most MM cartridges require loading; I can expound on this if you like).

If the preamp does not need loading to sound right with a low output moving coil cartridge, its likely that it will also be more resistant to ticks and pops.

Finally, nearly all cartridges are a naturally balanced source, so it is possible to run balanced from the cartridge right to the preamp. This will eliminate the interconnect cable as a sonic variable, in the very best place to have such an advantage- at the input of the system.

Good Luck!
An effective cleaning regimen is also essential, particularly if you dive into used records. There are a million and one ways, different machines, methods, etc. I've had the best success combining traditional vacuum type with ultrasonic. The latter you can DIY at fairly low cost. 
$500 Okki Nokki machine with Audio Intelligent three step fluid system and three Disc Doctor brushes works just fine. The key is to soak with fluid one and two before vacuuming off regardless of how vinyl looks. I usually soak for about 10 minutes with each, sometimes twice. And the last step is double water rinse, double water. Very time consuming.
again thanks all for input.......... been away about 4 days in Shenandoah NP visit.. only 2 weeks before moving van comes.. I’m interesting learn about separate phone stages versus say the one built into the luxman 590axII -- as this was mention in the inputs -- thanks

all the record "cleaning" devices is a whole other learning area