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Complete vinyl system, TT to speakers, for $1500?

We just returned from a 2-week visit to our son who lives in Tokyo.  While there, we met a nice young woman who told me she would like to acquire an audio system with the express intent of playing LPs in her apartment.  Her budget is $1500 or less, as noted.  It's been years since I ever had to think in such budget terms, and when I did think about a $1500 system, it was back in the 70s when you could really buy something decent for that total amount.  (You could also buy a car for only a little bit more.) So, I am here for advice; she needs TT, tonearm, cartridge, phono stage, amplifier, and speakers. Thanks.

lewm
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

One more stab at being helpful.

All Items seen, will be New and I assume very easily acquired and available in Tokyo. 

https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&IndexArea=product_en&keywords=Active+HiFi+Speakers&tab=all&viewtype=G&&pricef=200&pricet=800

 

mahler123
3,362 posts
 

Now your question seems to be : will the built in phono stage on a budget turntable drive the amps in powered speakers?. Yes, it would have been helpful to frame it that way originally. My answer is…I don’t know. However, one can get a reasonable mm phono stage for under $200 here. I would try without first, and if the results are found wanting then add one

lewm OP
13,110 posts
 

Mahler, if you look at the last sentences of my 06-05 post at 11:26 AM, you would see that I asked the question just as you did using different words. Thx.

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,600 posts
 

lewm:

Here's a non-HiFi idea that would allow vinyl playback for probably less than $300/total as sourced in Japan.

Your friend would need the following unit (link to review) and a BT or otherwise powered speaker with a line input (think that the speaker needs to have its own volume control).

The portable TT's ship on eBay from Japan.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b48XD9P8klM

 

DeKay

dogberry
672 posts
 

I was going to suggest a used NAD 3020 integrated, as I have no experience of, and little trust in, powered speakers, but then I read your statement that no used equipment should be suggested. OK, we can agree to disagree.

So here's a freebee: do send (and hopefully not terrify) her with the link to Neil Antin's guide to cleaning vinyl. Maybe as a 'something to consider later'! We all know, I hope, that cleaning vinyl is as least as important as having a fine phono stage etc.

Whatever you suggest, it should come with the descriptor that it is a good start, but the sky is the limit (yeah, google, try and translate that!) if she wants more.

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