Budget Vinyl System

[hybridauth_Facebook_10205798689437462]

Hi, I'm thinking about buying a budget vinyl system around 700€ (max 1000€) and I'm overwhelmed with all the gear and reviews. So far I'm leaning towards:

Onkyo TX-8020

Wharfedale Diamond 220

Pro-ject Debut Carbon DC OM10

Music taste ranges from classic rock, jazz, flamenco, etc

It would be nice if the system had the posibility to add CD/MP3 players of some sort as an added feature. Any thoughts/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[expat_mike]

The turntable is on promotion at the moment.

http://www.son-video.com/Rayons/Platine-vinyle/ProJect-Debut3-DC-OM10.html

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10205798689437462]

What would pair better with the Wharfedale Diamond 220, the Onkyo 9010/9030 or the Marantz PM5005?

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. For that budget, I'd look at Audio Technica LP120USB + NAD C316BEE + Dali Zensor 3 / XTZ93.23 mk2, and switch the basic cartridge to Ortofon 2M Blue. Or, if you can increase budget, Marantz PM6005, Project Carbon Esprit SB (with Ortofon 2mblue stylus upgrade) and Dali Zensor 3.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10205798689437462]

I'm curious about the Dali Zensor 3 as so many people praise them the problem is that no matter how much I look I cannot find them in Portugal that's why I'm considering the Wharfedale, I'd like a balanced sound between the amp and speakers as I dont like the sound too bright or too deep.

I believe you're suggesting the LP120 because the NAD has no phono stage right? Would it lose quality not going through a phono stage or not really? Because I can always consider the Debut Carbon USB.

Since I can't find the Dali speakers would the Wharfedale pair well with the NAD or Marantz or should I be looking at some other combination?

Thanks

 

[Al ears]

I'm curious about the Dali Zensor 3 as so many people praise them the problem is that no matter how much I look I cannot find them in Portugal that's why I'm considering the Wharfedale, I'd like a balanced sound between the amp and speakers as I dont like the sound too bright or too deep.

I believe you're suggesting the LP120 because the NAD has no phono stage right? Would it lose quality not going through a phono stage or not really? Because I can always consider the Debut Carbon USB.

Since I can't find the Dali speakers would the Wharfedale pair well with the NAD or Marantz or should I be looking at some other combination?

Thanks

The LP120 has a built in phono preamp of pretty poor quality. I believe you are better off with an amp that has a phono stage like the marantz. Have not heard the Onkyos. The Wharfdales are pretty good.

Audition whatever you can and buy what you like. Other people may make very valid contributions but if you cannot audition then that makes life difficult.

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. To be honest, I haven't personally heard the 220, but some people say they're pretty veiled speakers and that they lack openness - which means soundstage will suffer, and sound is somewhat muffled. The only budget speakers I would consider for personal use (outside of active speakers, which, by the way, come to think of it, are the best bang for buck in your budget) are Dali Zensor 3 and XTZ 93.23 mk 2. If you have the budget, you can get either of these online (first from the bay or amazon, and the XTZ from their website) and return them if you don't like them. XTZ are amazing for their budget, AND they have room tuning, but their looks aren't everyone's cup of tea. But I would get XTZ against B&W 685 s2 without hesitation (for example).

As for the tt, I'm recommending the Audio Technica because you can save for geting a better cartridge. Project just costs more, has the same cartridge, and I don't think you'd get a worthwile improvement unless it's the Carbon Esprit SB - which is double the price of the AT. It's not the integrated phonostage that's at the basis of the recommendation.

Now, if you don't mind actives, a pair of Adam F7 (or A5X), a Maverick Audio Tubemagic D1 with upgrades and a cheap phonostage or the Audio Technica will probably sound better then any passive setup for the money.

 

[splasher]

When my daughter wanted a compact vinyl system we went for the turntable and active speaker solution and it works really well. With a set that also has blue tooth you can use the same setup for radio and digital music via a phone or a tablet which most people already have access to these days.

Personally, I'd pick the Project Debut Carbon USB over the AT LP120 because I don't believe it does have the same cartridge (AT 95E vs Ortofon 2M Red) and Project's built in phono stage is superior.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10205798689437462]

Ok I've decided to go a little further with the budget but to add a network player, so for now my choices are:

Marantz PM5005

Pioneer N-P01

Pro-ject Debut Carbon OM10

Wharfedale Diamond 220 -- OR -- QAcoustics 3020

 

[rainsoothe]

Imo you should chose one of the two, and complete the other later. Better to get decent parts now then geting mediocre stuff and ending up wanting to upgrade everything 6 months later - trust me, I've been there. If you don't mind iOs app only, look at Onkyo C-N7050, optical out into Marantz PM6005 optical in, into Dali Zensor 3.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_10205798689437462]

Just ordered the Marantz PM5005 and the Dali Zensor 3, planning on buying the Pro-ject Debut Carbon DC OM10 and also a raspberry pi + dac board with volumio that will allow me to play audio files from a hard drive.

 

[stevebrock]

Just ordered the Marantz PM5005 and the Dali Zensor 3, planning on buying the Pro-ject Debut Carbon DC OM10 and also a raspberry pi + dac board with volumio that will allow me to play audio files from a hard drive.

personally think that is the best combo - hope you enjoy it