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new to me turntable and preamp

Looking to upgrade my turntable and preamp, and I'm just barely dipping my toe into this hi-fi thing. Was looking at the Rega and Pro-ject tables for price and looks (no matte black please), but the more I read the more I'm not sure about that. I've seen some systemdek IIX around as well. Just dropped money on speakers so don't have an unlimited budget. My table now sounds like a squirel after 1 hour or so of play.

My current system (get ready to laugh)
Yamaha HTR 5540 receiver
Linn Keilidh speakers
Gemini XL-BD40 w/ ortofon OM S
Radio Shack Stereo Preamp

anyone have any thoughts??
csw77777
sit
315 posts
 
Parasound has quite decent entry-level phono preamps at a very good entry-level price. Worth a look. Just connects to open jacks on your amp such as CD, AUX, or tape. Ezy.

Look into some of the Grado carts. You can get a lot for your investment.

I would also recommend looking into a Music Hall-5 table. Heck, look into a used one. The other tables you're considering are also good choices.

This is all entry level but quite decent sounding equipment that you should be able to easily sell as you upgrade.
zenblaster
504 posts
 
Correct- you would run the phono stage into one of the receiver inputs (v-aux is probably a video input) If you are getting the table new and it comes with a cartridge start with that, it is probably a good match with the arm. BTW there is a Bellari phono stage on the Gon as we speak for $150-
stevtt
4 posts
 
I bought a Pro-ject Expression III from Underwood Hifi along with a Phono box II as a starter and it worked out great. I've since upgraded the cartridge and Phono stage.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,298 posts
 
Get an old Thorens if you can find one in decent shape. I just got my hands on an old one-owner TD150 mkII and it sounds better than most of the new models out now costing up to about $1000. Really really surprised at how good this old thing sounds.
csw77777 OP
11 posts
 
Made a deal with the guy selling the NAD 533, so should be a good start, now I just need to find the right pre and I'll be all set. Picked up some nice records in Philly last time I was there and I'm saving these two sealed Japanese pressings for the special occasion.

And Zen, there must be something to those bellaris, those things go like hotcakes on saturday morning.

Oh, and I did adjust and tighten the screws on my cartridge saturday night, not sure if it should have made a difference, but I had no chirping noises even after 2-3 hours of playtime. go figure...
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