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Can someone point me in the right direction? LP player / Preamp / Dragonfly Red...

Relative newbie here.  I want to add a TT and start enjoying Vinyl.  Was looking at the AT-LP120 and have been reading up on pros/cons.  The built in preamp seems to be a low point, many have removed it though.  If I were to got this route, could I then input the sound directly into my iMac and out through my Dragonfly Red to my Amp?  

I have pretty descent sound right now from Audirvana / Dragonfly Red / (Sony 2 channel Amp (next upgrade) / Infinity Kappa 8.1's

Or should I output the LP player directly to the Amp?

Thanks for any guidance!
aqueousaris
jdub071
71 posts
 
Try Schiit Mani if you want good sounding, good value phono preamp. Pair with Nagaoka mp110 cart. Mani is 140 bucks including shipping fron Schiit Audio. Nagaoka cart about 120 bucks.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Just to be clear, you cant input a TT into your iMac and use the Mac as your controller. This is only done when somebody wants to convert vinyl to an audio file by using a A/D converter.

You need a phonostage that would plug into the Sony (and there are many costing less than $350) or go with the Onkyo as you first suggested. It has an input for a TT and looks to be of much higher quality than the Sony.


aqueousaris OP
41 posts
 
Just to be clear, you cant input a TT into your iMac and use the Mac as your controller. This is only done when somebody wants to convert vinyl to an audio file by using a A/D converter.

That's some info I was looking for - thanks!  Guess I need to start with the amp...  

Anyone know of a NEW amp that will play nice with my Infinity Kappa 8.1's.  They are 6 ohm but I hear they can drop to 2 ohm when pushed.  My research so far has led me to the Onkyo A-9010.  Oh, budget around $400...
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
They are 6 ohm, but really act more like a 4 ohm speaker with such a demanding load. The Onkyo specs only show a rating for 8 ohms. This usually means the amp doesn't have the power/current required to drive power hungry speakers like the Kappas. The 8.1 specs state a minimum of 50 watts.

What is the size of your room? And how did the Kappa's respond to your Sony?

aqueousaris OP
41 posts
 
I read that the Onkyo was stable down to 4 ohm.  And I thought I read the wattage would be closer to 66 WPC @ 4 ohm from that amp (I'm no Ohm wizard though)

Room size is 11x20 (with speakers on the short wall about 6" from each corner slightly angled in).  They respond pretty well to the Sony, which is supposedly 100WPC @ 8ohm.  

I've read everything from give them 300W to a 44WPC will make them thump.  Its very confusing...


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