How to connect Genelec 8010a to Rega Planar 3 & Schiit Mani 2?

[OctavioJoe]

First venture into vinyl. Expertise needed...
I bought a Schiit Mani 2 phono preamp and a Rega P3, in the hope that I could use them with my already existing Genelec 8010A active speakers.

The part I forget is volume control!

Finances are low considering the above, so any idea how I can get this up and running with little spend?
I really don't want to have to buy a Hi Fi system and new speakers.

Would the addition of a Shiit SYS with some RCA to XLR cables do the job? https://www.schiit.co.uk/sys (unfortunately out of stock). If so, will this set-up compromise the sound quality?

Or is there a better suggestion out there? I guess I could spend up to €300 ($300).

I've already started buying albums (!) so keen to actually play them sometime 🙂
Thanks

Current set-up
Genelec 8010A: https://www.genelec.com/8010a
Schiit Mani 2: https://www.schiit.co.uk/mani-2
Rega P3: https://www.rega.co.uk/products/planar-3

Diagram of my ideal setup (I also play guitar through these monitors)

 

[daytona600]

Tangent preAmp £200ish various models
Preamp for volume control
RCA in for the rega & XLR Balanced out for the genelec speakers
Handy streaming / phono stage / heaphones / DAC / Subwoofer out / wireless

 

[Gray]

Would the addition of a Shiit SYS with some RCA to XLR cables do the job?

Yes, it would do the job.

 

[OctavioJoe]

Tangent preAmp £200ish various models
Preamp for volume control
RCA in for the rega & XLR Balanced out for the genelec speakers
Handy streaming / phono stage / heaphones / DAC / Subwoofer out / wireless
View attachment 6659

It looks interesting but (and excuse my ignorance) do I not already have the phono stage take care of with the Schiit Mani 2? I'm past my return windo so I want to use it.

If I was to take the Genelecs out of the equation, what would be an affordable setup (decent sound quality), that would get me up and running? Thanks

 

[OctavioJoe]

Yes, it would do the job.

Unfortunately not available in the UK. Postage from the US costs $50+
Could something like the below work?

It's quite appealing because I also currently use the Genelecs as monitors for playing electric guitar. This way I could use two sources.

Input 1: Mani Phono Stage > Palmer RCA AUX inputs
Input 2: Guitar modeller device > Palmer XLR inputs
Output: Palmer XLR outs > Genelecs

On the front of the controller I should have the option to switch between input 1 (L+R XLR) or input 2 (AUX).

Palmer MONICON® L | Studio Monitors and Monitor Controllers | Palmer

The Palmer Monicon® L is a precise, analogue volume control that connects between a computer or audio interface and active monitor speakers. The switch is completely passive and distortion-free, the LED displays and built-in headphone...

www.palmer-germany.com

EDIT: Forget that suggestion, the aux channel does not go through the main volume knob 🙁
Anyway focus is still the turntable. Additional Guitar input option would have been a bonus!


MIDGARD? https://www.schiit.com/products/midgard

 

[Gray]

If I was to take the Genelecs out of the equation

...then you'd be left needing amplification and speakers.
The Genelec are decent, bi-amped speakers, I'd be looking to keep them in the equation.

I needed to control volume into powered speakers, so made my own passive control.
Doesn't look great, but it's a variable resistance in series with the signal - precisely what the Schitt SYS is:

Considering that your effective SYS cost is £100+, that Tangent preamp starts to look like a good idea....switched to line input, it would take your Mani output - and give XLR out to the Genelec - which would be a better sensitivity match than RCA into them.

EDIT: Just seen your edited post above.
That thing looks good 👍....although I didn't see a price.

SECOND EDIT!: I see you've edited again 🤪
If that suits your budget.....use it XLR into the Genelecs of course 👍

 

[OctavioJoe]

...then you'd be left needing amplification and speakers.
The Genelec are decent, bi-amped speakers, I'd be looking to keep them in the equation.

I needed to control volume into powered speakers, so made my own passive control.
Doesn't look great, but it's a variable resistance in series with the signal - precisely what the Schitt SYS is:
View attachment 6661
Considering that your effective SYS cost is £100+, that Tangent preamp starts to look like a good idea....switched to line input, it would take your Mani output - and give XLR out to the Genelec - which would be a better sensitivity match than RCA into them.

EDIT: Just seen your edited post above.
That thing looks good 👍....although I didn't see a price.

SECOND EDIT!: I see you've edited again 🤪

Are you referring to the Midgard? I’ve seen one for £200 in the UK ($200 new US).

 

[daytona600]

If I was to take the Genelecs out of the equation, what would be an affordable setup (decent sound quality), that would get me up and running? Thanks
Allow £2000/£5000 for a amp/speakers to match the Gennies 8010A
Dont use anything " Cheap " with these speakers , they will sound awful

 

[Vincent Kars]

If you don't need the gain of a pre-amp, a passive attenuator will do the job.

Big Knob Passive | Passive Studio Monitor Controller | MACKIE

Improve your studio with a Mackie Big Knob Passive, a passive studio monitor controller. Use this for easy source and monitor switching without worrying about power.

mackie.com

 

[OctavioJoe]

The question is, do I need an amp (for some power), in addition to my phono stage?

Maybe the Nobosound mc2 would work (although I can't speak for the quality!) I would connect the Guitar device via xlr, turntable via rca and output to speakers via xlr. It has xlr and rca switchable input and output, keep output set to xlr and input for switching between guitar and turntable.

Nobsound Little Bear MC2 https://doukaudio.com/products/litt...converter-stereo-audio-adapter-passive-preamp

Nobsound Little Bear MC3 https://doukaudio.com/products/litt...o-converter-audio-selector-box-passive-preamp

Other alternatives:
SM Pro M-Patch V2
Onky A-9010 (has phono input)
Tangent PreAmp II (as suggested in reply above ^^)
Saga solid state https://www.schiit.co.uk/preamps_Eq/Saga_S
Saga plus https://www.schiit.co.uk/preamps_Eq/schiit_saga_plus

As you can see with all these options, I have no idea what I need 😕

 

[My2Cents]

What is the 'magic box' in your diagram?

 

[OctavioJoe]

What is the 'magic box' in your diagram?

That’s the point of this thread. What ‘magic box’ can achieve that setup? Looking for suggestions.

 

[My2Cents]

That’s the point of this thread. What ‘magic box’ can achieve that setup? Looking for suggestions.

OK... just trying to clarify. One could be forgiven for thinking that you were trying to use one of these:

The Magic Box™ 2.0

Watch anything from your favorite streaming platform on your car's display screen. Connect The Magic Box to any CarPlay device and instantly start enjoying it!

trymagicbox.com

 

[My2Cents]

@VincentKars has given one good and cheap suggestion.
Also, the Mackie Big Knob Studio is within your budget and it would give you a ton of flexibility ('magic' indeed).
You could listen to your turntable and play through the guitar processor at the same time and even record it all into a DAW on your computer.
You can even plug in 2 pairs of headphones and add a second set of monitors at some point in the future.
Yes, the output from the 'mani' would be sufficient as it has line level outs. As the Mackie is a prosumer product, it has the option of selecting both consumer and pro line level input levels (+4db / -10db) and has bal/unbal inputs.