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Recommend an Entry Level Turntable (And maybe an integrated Amp)

I've been wanting to upgrade my system for a long time now.

My system currently consists of a pair of B&W 630's, an old Denon 50 watt reciever (DRA-550) from the mid 80's,  and a Marantz 5004 cd player.  I'm pretty happy with all three.

I'm looking to get into vinyl and The Project Debut Carbon turntable was recommended.  I listened to it but wasn't amazed by it. So I sent it back.

I then called my local audio store and the salesman said that if the system sounds good with cds but not with the turntable then the weak link is probably the phono pre amp.

So, he recommended the NAD C388 integrated amp which has the added benefit of more power (150 watts per channel) and bluetooth as well (something I definitely want).  He did qualify it by saying that reciever/amp technology hasn't changed much over the years.

He also recommended an upgrade of the turntable cartridge to the Sumiko Rainier.

Just thinking out loud.  I'd be open to adding a bluetooth and a new phono preamp to the Denon, but I'm not sure if that would be better.

TIA

klimt
sandthemall
544 posts
 

If I were in your situation, I would look at the Denon PMA-110A.

It’s the real deal.

This is the anniversary edition of this 2ch integrated amp.

It has an excellent partitioned dedicated phono section.

80 watts into 8ohms and it doubles down to 160 watts into 4ohms

Stable to 2 ohms and will push a 1 ohm load.

Dual mono: two transformers! 

Its not cheap (just under 4k) but it’s a poor man’s Luxman.

Then get a $1000 turntable. If you can push a little higher, the Technics 1200GR is tough to beat.

 

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

I do not want to rain on your parade but it is very unlikely that you will find vinyl gear which is likely to sound anywhere as good as digital, unless you spend some serious cash. Simply by the limits of the underlying technology involved, vinyl will never be able to match the dynamic range of a CD. And a new amp will not make that much of a difference. The limitation is at the source.

If you still must, check out direct drive Technics turntables for probably the best price for value and reliability.

charles7
102 posts
 


Yes, the Yamaha integrated amps are good and almost complete for your needs. For example, the A-S501, which lacks only Bluetooth. The A-S501 delivers fine clarity, with perhaps a slight bit of warmth. Since the Yamaha has digital inputs, I chose to use a wi-fi device to receive stream input:, the Audioengine B-Fi. But you can get a Bluetooth device instead. (Disclosure: I have my A-S501 up for sale on my local Craigslist.)

 

geof3
1,126 posts
 

A 5k budget does an ok job for what you are asking. You could do a Parasound Hint 6, has all the goodies you want, phono stage, DAC etc. Plenty of power to drive your speakers, and throw a Rega Planar 6 in the mix and you will simply blow away what you have now. Both can be had new right within your budget. Less if you do preowned.

axpert's avatar
axpert
110 posts
 

I was going to make a recommendation but I don't think you'd listen to me anyhow. Where you're at and some of the recommendations that other's have made would be in a somewhat different direction from mine. No sense confusing you more. Besides, I only have about 60 years of experience in the field of music and audio.

Good Luck.

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