New speakers for turntable ($500 range)

ELAC asap.

Thanks for your questions and suggestions.

The turntable has a built in preamp, and it’s in our dining room (12x12).  We generally don’t play it loud enough to rock out; just loud enough to hear in the dining room and adjoining living room.

The system’s ok for playing music like Loverboy.  But it stinks when playing something like Etta James or Dark Side of the Moon.   There are none of the subtleties I’d like to hear.  

I like 70s & 80s rock music (The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Rush, Foreigner).  But I also enjoy vocalists like Linda Rondstat, Joni Mitchell, and Eva Cassidy.

Will new speakers help or is the amp I chose the issue?

The amp looks like it's low budget and probably not that great. I suspect the same might be said of the turntable.  $500 speakers will only let you hear the weaknesses with even more clarity. 

On the plus side, you get it about sound quality and appreciation of what sounds good and what doesn't.

It sounds like you have a limited budget for the time being ... so what to do first?

So, what to do if there is only $600 to spend?

I would stick with the speakers I originally suggested.  They have been well reviewed.  The Wharfedale house sound is pretty pleasing.  They will look good in your dining room.  

https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/wharfedale-diamond-220-bookshelf-speakers

The Keiid amp will limit you.  

Something like this integrated from Denon could work (Denon PMA 600).  It also has a built in phono preamp, which will most likely be better than the one that comes with your TT.  It has Bluetooth, as well.   

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1521880-REG/denon_pma_600ne_integrated_amplifier.html

At a $100 more, this Denon (Denon DRA 800) has been well reviewed.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_033DRA800/Denon-DRA-800H.html

At this point, prices start to creep up.  I also did not suggest buying used, as I prefer new.  

If this all works, the TT would be the next candidate for upgrading, but that can wait.


Rich 

My turntable is an inexpensive, entry level Audio-Technica AT-LP60.  I originally bought it to listen to LPs I’ve been buying at the many concerts my spouse and I attend.  But the pandemic has ended concert-going for now, and being at home has given me a lot more time to focus on the system’s sound quality.

I’m open to upgrading on the power amp if you think that will make a noticeable difference.  The Denon PMA 600 looks intriguing and worth considering.  

Will the 16 gauge speaker wire be sufficient with the Wharfedale speakers your suggesting?

Also, how important is speaker placement?Although the turntable is in the dining room, I can play with the placement of the speakers. 

Clearly, I have a lot to learn, and as with anything I can see the domino effect of my buying decisions.  So, I appreciate your thoughts on what I should be considering as I make these next purchases.  For the near term, I’m budgeting about $600.  The Wharfedale / Denon combo sounds doable.  But is it even worth doing with the low budget turntable I currently have?  I’m not ready to do a complete system overhaul.