Best gently used setup for under $6k


I'm a recovering audiophile who sold off a pretty sweet digital setup years ago when I moved cross country. My fiancé bought me a record player for Christmas (damn her straight to hell!). After buying a bunch of records, I'm ready to upgrade my system.

I know zero about analog set ups, so looking for some advice. My budget is $4-6k (lower means I can buy more records). I'm ok buying used.

My room isn't ideal. It's full of concrete floors, high ceilings and lots of glass windows. But I'll be sitting 4-5 feet from the speakers, so maybe not a huge deal. I will definitely need to go with bookshelf speakers though.

What are some good set ups it should consider?
128x128bgupton
Bgupton,
Welcome back to the world of audiophiles! Damn if I do, damn if I don't!!!

There are many choices out there. Ultimately, it always comes down to synergy! Below please find a simple set up that works extremely well together, will suit you budget, and, most importantly, will blow your mind away!!!!!!!!!

Rega RP3/DV10X5 - $1,500.00
(later you may want to add the Rega TT-PSU for $395.00 as an upgrade for steady pitch and quieter backgrounds plus the ability to change speed with the push of a button).

Rogue Audio Sphinx Hybrid Integrated - $1,300.00
(it comes with a very capable integrated phono stage card perfectly suited for the dynavector 10X5 high output moving coil so you will save $$$ by not having to buy a phono stage).

Golden Ear Aon 3 Bookshelf monitors - $1,000.00
(I know you want bookshelf monitors but please check out the Golden Ear Triton 7's ($1,400.00) first. These floorstanding speakers are simply amazing!!! Plus they are small in size with a very small footprint).

Speaker cables and iterconnects - Kimber 8TC/Hero combo that you can buy used in Audiogon for about $500.00.

Best part.......all new equipment with warranty!
All in all, you will spend about $4,500.00 with plenty of spare money to buy lots of lps!

Happy listening!
Here is my source first, small room friendly version. A little unconventional as it comes from multiple sources, some not mainstream (save money / bang for the buck / was fun for me hunting for deals).

$1500 - Rega RP6 w/ TTPSU
$ 200 - Rega wall mount
$ 65 - Herbie Mat 2mm Way Excellent II
$ 500 - Audio Technica AT33PTG/II cartridge (from Japan, 2juki on Ebay)
$ 550 - Jasmine LP 2 mk II phono stage (from China on Ebay)
$ 50 - Mogami 2549 custom made RCA (from Pro Audio LA)
$ 230 - APPJ PA0901A 6N4+6P14 integrated tube amp (from Amazon)
$ 125 - Mogami 2921 speaker cables (from pro audio store with gold banana / bfa connectors)
$ 600 - Tekton 6.5t monitors (Eric does no show these on his current site, hopefully he still makes them)
$ 300 - rigid speaker stands

And if you need a selector for multiple input sources:
$ 100 - Niles AXP1 Black (FG00002) Auxiliary Input Selector (from Amazon)

Total without Niles and extra RCAs: less than $4200, all new

I have most of this equipment in my setup and it really performs. I am using the APPJ tube integrated amp in my upstairs system with some Linn Tukans (similar to the Tektons). I have the same analog front end downstairs, with the Mogami cable and the Tektons, which really dial in 11 inches from the wall slightly towed in. You need some rigid steel speaker stands with these.

Some may frown on my integrated amp choice, but I really like the sound of this unit, but it is quite a small performer and the high gain of the Jasmine will work well with the APPJ's low watts. I tried a Rogue Cronus Magnum and didn't like that. Noisy and sounded more solid state than my Audio Refinement separates. Plus it is an easy swap out to something else if you want to go to another power source without having to touch any of the other components. Additionally, your speakers will probably be not too far apart and cannot be too far from the wall, as they will be almost on top of you given your room constraints (Aon 3 speakers like to be 2 feet into the room), so a small box setup like this will work with a very simple equipment stand.

This analog front end, the tube gear and the monitors have a nice warmish tone while still keeping pace and accuracy.

You might want to save some money for some room treatments.