phono stage/preamp project the classic superpack help with set-up please

I advise making sure you choose efficient speakers SPL 1meter/1watt 90 db or higher. Also, try to stay nominal 8 ohms.

that will keep your amplifier power size (___wpc watts per channel) lower, which puts you in position to go either Solid State or Tubes, staying down in affordable range, and keeping equipment size/weight/heat manageable 

please describe room size/shape/surfaces, i.e. give us a clue about the listening room you are selecting speakers for.

plan on speakers being a few feet forward of rear wall, a few feet in from side walls,

I don't like ports, avoid them, I suggest selecting mains and later, if you need more bass, add a stereo pair of self powered subs located with the mains. Bass and overtones from those low fundamentals are directional.

@chakster ok good to know. It's hard to know what is right or not when there is SO MUCH information online. I will definitely investigate further about Zu and tannoy speaker. I'm still saving up so plenty of time for that and I've already seen that there are a few dealers that sell Zu speakers in the UK. Thanks!

@elliottbnewcombjr

My father died a few years ago unfortunately but we shared our love of music and he would have liked me taking the time to do this properly. 

This is much too long a story to get into, but his records have lived in my parents attic (unused, but stored properly) for longer then I'm alive (I'm 35). I've never actually heard them (insert shock and horror). There is indeed a lot of old (probably good kit) up there, which belonged to his brother my uncle, who was a proper audiophile. He would've been able to tell me everything I could possibly need to know, but he died in 1993 when I was 9/10 years old. All of his equipment was then moved to my parents attic and I don't know which was his or my dads (bit of a hoarder situation up there). From what I remember there are about 4 sets bookshelf speakers among which bowers&wilkins and kef speakers (I remember my dad saying that was a good brand?); there are also a set of speakers the size of a wardrobe (how they got them up there I don't know) and I know of two turntables, but no idea of make or model at the moment. Because here's the kicker; I live in London and my parents house is in Holland. I simply haven't had the time until now. And I don't know what would be worth moving here and getting repaired/cleaned (decades of dust), but I could wait until covid is over and take pictures of everything next time I go over (I did move over my favourite records when I could, so they're in London). I might do that anyway because I'm quite curious about all of it!

Our living room is medium/average sized about 4.5 x 4.5 meters, square shaped, carpet floor/wooden boards underneath. The TT would be on a sturdy wooden cupboard in the middle of one of the walls with speakers either side.

I don't know all the terms you mention yet, but google is my friend ;-)

Thanks!

My advice is to go to the Zu showroom when you can.
Ask for demo and check it out if you want to buy from them.

There was a bookshelf version of Druid, this is a rare model, available right now on ebay in UK, i think this is the best you can get at £900 for a pair in UK. You could add an active sub later if needed. At this price i would buy myself for a kitchen, but i’m not in UK and internationl shipping is not possible with this seller. Grab them, they are nice and super high efficient, you can always upgrade drivers and supertweeter later with special kit from ZU. I have fully upgraded standfloor Druid MK4 in my room. 

Or you can find Tannoy showroom to compare. With this brand be carefull, because you need ONLY those Tannoy with THIS TYPE of driver. Make sure the speaker has only ONE driver, because nowadays they are making a lot of average cheap speakers (ignore them). From the vintage line of Tannoy this one is nice.

Buy what you like, Zu and Tannoy are really great.