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Would Appreciate Advice Before I Buy

Greetings and thanks in advance for any and all assistance. I am re-entering the vinyl world in my 60s, now that I have enough time to give to that approach and a little bit of money to spend on components that will help me to enjoy the music I like.

I am only wanting to spend in the neighborhood of $2,000 - $4,000. I realize that's a relatively small outlay, but I also gather that there are good options at almost every price point. Here is what I am contemplating - I would welcome comments. Am I missing something? Will these components "play well" together?

  • Schiit Ragnarok-2 integrated amplifier (fully-loaded)
  • Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO turntable 
  • Klipsch RP-600M speakers
  • Bose Quiet Comfort headphones (already own these and would use if I can)
I like a variety of music styles: classical, pop/rock, big band, jazz, a little blues and other. I am not a terribly demanding listener, but I think I can hear the difference between great sound and mediocre sound. My room is a currently open large rectangular "bonus room" upstairs in a new home. I can adapt (sub-divide, other) that room over time to improve sonics.

My first vinyl purchase is a set of the Franklin Mint "Greatest Jazz Recordings..." in, well, mint condition that I was able to get very inexpensively at an estate sale this past week. I will probably start picking up some of the re-issued Elvis Costello soon as well. 

What do you think? Thanks again.

David
dprendergast
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Technics w best Ortofon you can afford
buddyboy1
106 posts
 
I have the RP-600M's and they are fantastic speakers....The turntable should be the U-Turn Audio ( made in MA.) with the Ortofon Blue cartridge. The RED comes standard but the Blue ( $100) upgrade is twice the sound quality....
dprendergast OP
13 posts
 
This is all welcome advice, and I am grateful. I did check in with Schiit, and they like the package as well, but they did mention that a phono pre-amp might be needed. And from what I can tell, the Pro-Ject would require that. So that's another issue/cost.

But I am inclined, based on comments so far, to stick with the Ragnarok-2 and then select a different turntable with a pre-amp built in and an Ortofon cartridge.

And I might switch from the Klipsch to the Elac speakers - still thinking about that.

David
dprendergast OP
13 posts
 
Additional clarification from Schiit: with "fully-loaded" Ragnarok-2 and an MM cartridge (like the Ortofon Blue), a phono preamp would not be needed. That would lower the cost of the U-Turn Audio option, for example.
dprendergast OP
13 posts
 
The Ragnarok-2, Elac UB52 (on sale now at $455), and U-Turn/Ortofon Blue combination would come in at $2,790. That would be pretty amazing if you all think it works well.
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