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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
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cleeds
5,947 posts
 
...
given the comment on cartridges -- curious as to why more TT/tonearms would not have balance outputs ...
They do have balanced outputs - don't let the RCA connectors fool you. And you can feed those balanced outputs into a balanced phono preamplifier - some of which also use RCA connectors on the input.
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fsonicsmith
957 posts
 
They do have balanced outputs - don't let the RCA connectors fool you. And you can feed those balanced outputs into a balanced phono preamplifier - some of which also use RCA connectors on the input. 
OK, you will have to explain this one to me. Many turntable manufacturers offer DIN outputs but you are obviously saying that those that only offer RCA outputs (like VPI's for example) are actually balanced. IMHO, you won't find too many phono stages that offer balanced operation. Case in point is my Manley Steelhead. Right from Manley;
FAQ #1: The Steelhead is unbalanced. Why can't I have balanced outputs?

Yes the Steelhead is entirely a single-ended design. The circuitry uses single-ended topology. In order to be able to provide balanced outputs we would have to convert the signal to balanced using something like some IC's or transformers. Both these options would add more "stuff" to the signal and be certainly audible detracting from the pure sound the Steelhead provides. If you are driving a balanced preamp or balanced amplifier with the Steelhead, check to see if you also have unbalanced inputs, change your cables and go with that. You might be pleasantly surprised that they too added extra audible "stuff" in order to provide balanced inputs and the RCAs that don't have that extra "stuff" in the signal path actually sound better. (Depends on a given unit's specific design.) Or use some RCA to XLR adaptors. Most balanced gear has no problem being driven single ended but check with the manufacturer if they are going to want the negative pin 3 of the XLR grounded or floating. Transformer-coupled XLR jacks always can be driven single-ended by running HOT into Pin 2 and grounding pin 3 to pin 1. Some IC coupled XLR inputs will want pin 3 floating, others will require it to be grounded when running single-ended into it. Check with the manufacturer of your gear to see how to hook it up single-ended.



steventoney OP
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interesting discussion,,,,,,,,,  I see some phono preamp-stage -- have "balance controls" that say this is for adjust issue of balance on the cartridge  -- I expect this is something different -- but the education continues  ;-)
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cleeds
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fsonicsmith
OK, you will have to explain this one to me. Many turntable manufacturers offer DIN outputs but you are obviously saying that those that only offer RCA outputs (like VPI's for example) are actually balanced. IMHO, you won't find too many phono stages that offer balanced operation
Most phono cartridges are inherently balanced; they have separate left, right, grounds and shield. There are many fine, truly balanced phono stages, such as Audio Research, and a good argument can be made that the phono section is the most beneficial place in a system to use balanced operation.
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fsonicsmith
957 posts
 
Most phono cartridges are inherently balanced; they have separate left, right, grounds and shield. There are many fine, truly balanced phono stages, such as Audio Research, and a good argument can be made that the phono section is the most beneficial place in a system to use balanced operation. 
Yes, I have read, heard, and known for some time that phono cartridges with their four pins are true balanced. That is not the issue I am asking you to address. I am instead asking you how RCA outputs from a typical modern table can be used in balanced form as you clearly stated. 
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