Post your stereo system!

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

Denon AVR-S540BT  

Any opinion on that receiver?  It looks like I could use the USB optical cable to connect the turntable to it

No, not likely.  That USB is designed to send a signal to a computer for vinyl ripping.  Your Denon can be connected by using the Line switch.  That will activate the internal phono amp in your TT and then you can connect to any aux/cd/whatever red-white analog input you have.  If your Denon has a Phono input, that means it has an internal phono stage.  In that case, you would switch to "phono" on the TT.  It will send the low signal, and then the phono stage on the Denon will amplify it.  

Edit - I just looked at your Denon unit.  There's no phono stage.  There are two sets of analog input.  So you would set the switch to "line" on the TT and plug into one of those two sets.  

is that a decent receiver?  And you would recommend an external phone amp right?

You have a Dustcover for that VPI? I need one for my HW-19. I think their official one is crazy over priced though.

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

Denon AVR-S540BT  

Any opinion on that receiver?  It looks like I could use the USB optical cable to connect the turntable to it

No, not likely.  That USB is designed to send a signal to a computer for vinyl ripping.  Your Denon can be connected by using the Line switch.  That will activate the internal phono amp in your TT and then you can connect to any aux/cd/whatever red-white analog input you have.  If your Denon has a Phono input, that means it has an internal phono stage.  In that case, you would switch to "phono" on the TT.  It will send the low signal, and then the phono stage on the Denon will amplify it.  

Edit - I just looked at your Denon unit.  There's no phono stage.  There are two sets of analog input.  So you would set the switch to "line" on the TT and plug into one of those two sets.  

is that a decent receiver?  And you would recommend an external phone amp right?

Denon makes a nice AVR.  It would not compare to a stereo that's designed for 2 channel sound quality that will run in the $500 to $1200 range.  AVR's are made for home theater, convenience, etc.  They have a ton of electronics and boards that add noise into the signal.  So the purpose is different.  
Regarding the external, I think it depends.  You have to have a strategy for your system.  Audio components tend to be a journey that takes time as you upgrade.  You have what you need to be up and running today, presuming you have speakers.  

1. Speakers - most important, not even close.  They are the make or break.  You should be the most particular here.  What do you have today?
2. Integrated amp/stereo - A good integrated amp will likely have a pretty decent built in phono (not having one doesn't make it bad).  This will be better than what's in teh TT and keep you in a good place for a while.  Phono pre amp should be later, probably even after a new TT.  Here's an example of a solid, dedicated two channel.  There are a lot of good options that will be a clear upgrade vs almost any AVR.  https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022AS501S/Yamaha-A-S501-Silver.html

Sounds like you have money to spend, but below is an idea to perhaps save you some money.

If you cannot find a a decent integrated amp/stereo receiver with a phono stage, I have your very TT, which I connected to a little Bellari phono tube preamp (also has a lovely dedicated headphone jack for tube sound straight into your earholes, which is nice) and then connected that to the aux. Huge improvement in sound over the TT's built-in. I've even connected it this way to my old Sansui receiver, which does have a phono stage. 

Oh, and the cartridge that comes with that TT isn't too shabby. Give it some time to break in, and I think you'll find it enjoyable enough. I've swapped in my Grado and Stanton just to see how they would sound on that table, and while they certainly track a lot nicer, the difference in sound wasn't enough for me to consider swapping out the stock cartridge. And you can always upgrade later.

Gern Blansten said:

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

Denon AVR-S540BT  

Any opinion on that receiver?  It looks like I could use the USB optical cable to connect the turntable to it

No, not likely.  That USB is designed to send a signal to a computer for vinyl ripping.  Your Denon can be connected by using the Line switch.  That will activate the internal phono amp in your TT and then you can connect to any aux/cd/whatever red-white analog input you have.  If your Denon has a Phono input, that means it has an internal phono stage.  In that case, you would switch to "phono" on the TT.  It will send the low signal, and then the phono stage on the Denon will amplify it.  

Edit - I just looked at your Denon unit.  There's no phono stage.  There are two sets of analog input.  So you would set the switch to "line" on the TT and plug into one of those two sets.  

is that a decent receiver?  And you would recommend an external phone amp right?

Denon makes a nice AVR.  It would not compare to a stereo that's designed for 2 channel sound quality that will run in the $500 to $1200 range.  AVR's are made for home theater, convenience, etc.  They have a ton of electronics and boards that add noise into the signal.  So the purpose is different.  
Regarding the external, I think it depends.  You have to have a strategy for your system.  Audio components tend to be a journey that takes time as you upgrade.  You have what you need to be up and running today, presuming you have speakers.  

1. Speakers - most important, not even close.  They are the make or break.  You should be the most particular here.  What do you have today?
2. Integrated amp/stereo - A good integrated amp will likely have a pretty decent built in phono (not having one doesn't make it bad).  This will be better than what's in teh TT and keep you in a good place for a while.  Phono pre amp should be later, probably even after a new TT.  Here's an example of a solid, dedicated two channel.  There are a lot of good options that will be a clear upgrade vs almost any AVR.  https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022AS501S/Yamaha-A-S501-Silver.html

no speakers yet....any advice appreciated.  Room is probably 16x16.  

Man, there are so many options at speakers.  You may want to use someone where you can test and return if you don't like them.  Local store (demos) or Crutchfield is a good option.  I will just tell you speaker brands that I've enjoyed over the years:
Bowers and Wilkins, KEF, Dynaudio, Paradigm, Monitor.  I am partial to soft dome tweeters, English sound, and I don't like horns (Klipsch).  This is just a preference thing.  I would not recommend Audioengine or Bose.  I have always been interested in owning some Martin Logans, as they are ribbon speakers. Some people really dig those, but I think they are more inclined to jazz and orchestra.  

Like I said earlier, depending on where in the room you sit, you have to first decide towers or bookshelves.  One is not better than the other.  Bookshelves placed properly and with a sub will sound every bit as good as a tower.  It's all about distance.  But if you do books, you need stands and I suggest a sub eventually.  So towers may be less expensive.  You don't have to buy the branded stands which are always outrageous.  There are excellent stands on Amazon.  

Feel free to float models or ask questions.  I love nerding out on stereo equipment.  

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

mrussel1 said:

Gern Blansten said:

Denon AVR-S540BT  

Any opinion on that receiver?  It looks like I could use the USB optical cable to connect the turntable to it

No, not likely.  That USB is designed to send a signal to a computer for vinyl ripping.  Your Denon can be connected by using the Line switch.  That will activate the internal phono amp in your TT and then you can connect to any aux/cd/whatever red-white analog input you have.  If your Denon has a Phono input, that means it has an internal phono stage.  In that case, you would switch to "phono" on the TT.  It will send the low signal, and then the phono stage on the Denon will amplify it.  

Edit - I just looked at your Denon unit.  There's no phono stage.  There are two sets of analog input.  So you would set the switch to "line" on the TT and plug into one of those two sets.  

is that a decent receiver?  And you would recommend an external phone amp right?

Denon makes a nice AVR.  It would not compare to a stereo that's designed for 2 channel sound quality that will run in the $500 to $1200 range.  AVR's are made for home theater, convenience, etc.  They have a ton of electronics and boards that add noise into the signal.  So the purpose is different.  
Regarding the external, I think it depends.  You have to have a strategy for your system.  Audio components tend to be a journey that takes time as you upgrade.  You have what you need to be up and running today, presuming you have speakers.  

1. Speakers - most important, not even close.  They are the make or break.  You should be the most particular here.  What do you have today?
2. Integrated amp/stereo - A good integrated amp will likely have a pretty decent built in phono (not having one doesn't make it bad).  This will be better than what's in teh TT and keep you in a good place for a while.  Phono pre amp should be later, probably even after a new TT.  Here's an example of a solid, dedicated two channel.  There are a lot of good options that will be a clear upgrade vs almost any AVR.  https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022AS501S/Yamaha-A-S501-Silver.html

no speakers yet....any advice appreciated.  Room is probably 16x16.  

Man, there are so many options at speakers.  You may want to use someone where you can test and return if you don't like them.  Local store (demos) or Crutchfield is a good option.  I will just tell you speaker brands that I've enjoyed over the years:
Bowers and Wilkins, KEF, Dynaudio, Paradigm, Monitor.  I am partial to soft dome tweeters, English sound, and I don't like horns (Klipsch).  This is just a preference thing.  I would not recommend Audioengine or Bose.  I have always been interested in owning some Martin Logans, as they are ribbon speakers. Some people really dig those, but I think they are more inclined to jazz and orchestra.  

Like I said earlier, depending on where in the room you sit, you have to first decide towers or bookshelves.  One is not better than the other.  Bookshelves placed properly and with a sub will sound every bit as good as a tower.  It's all about distance.  But if you do books, you need stands and I suggest a sub eventually.  So towers may be less expensive.  You don't have to buy the branded stands which are always outrageous.  There are excellent stands on Amazon.  

Feel free to float models or ask questions.  I love nerding out on stereo equipment.  

I'm thinking bookshelf speakers with a subwoofer

what would you pick off of crutchfield if it were you?

I thought my TT was kickass and your TT cover costs more than my whole unit

mrussel1 said:

Tim Simmons said:

You have a Dustcover for that VPI? I need one for my Prime Sig. I think their official one is crazy over priced though.

Yeah I ordered this one.  It's third party and it's really good.  Big, as you can imagine because you have to cover that high tonearm.  https://upscaleaudio.com/products/audioshield-turntable-dust-covers?variant=21192536195132

I have the AS200, looks like you would need the 300.  I bet you love that signature.  Gorgeous table. 

Thanks. 

Yeah, I do. I'm still tweaking it, but man, is it a beast of a table. Stock arm (pre-3D printed), but Grado Sonato on it, running through my Sansui 9090. Its really come together. Very happy with it. 


The dust is killing me though.

Tim Simmons said:

mrussel1 said:

Tim Simmons said:

You have a Dustcover for that VPI? I need one for my Prime Sig. I think their official one is crazy over priced though.

Yeah I ordered this one.  It's third party and it's really good.  Big, as you can imagine because you have to cover that high tonearm.  https://upscaleaudio.com/products/audioshield-turntable-dust-covers?variant=21192536195132

I have the AS200, looks like you would need the 300.  I bet you love that signature.  Gorgeous table. 

Thanks. 

Yeah, I do. I'm still tweaking it, but man, is it a beast of a table. Stock arm (pre-3D printed), but Grado Sonato on it, running through my Sansui 9090. Its really come together. Very happy with it. 


The dust is killing me though.

9090! That's also a monster.  You have some serious equipment.  I have a Marantz 2245, but I use it as a pre and feed a 150x2 amp so I get the headroom I want with the sweet vintage Marantz sound I love.  
My arm is the JMW Memorial 10" which is an upgrade, but not to the level of the 3D.  What's nice about these VPI's is that you can really customize them.  I could theoretically get my Prime to the Signature if I wanted to do so.  Doubt I will, but it's cool if you are a tinkerer. 

mrussel1 said:

pjpjpaul said:

mrussel1 said:

I will be straight honest with you and tell you that when I used that TT with that cart, I could not hear a difference between lossless digital and vinyl.  Now.. to be fair, I was also using a Pioneer Elite AVR which is not ideal for vinyl.  I also used the phono built into the TT.  I almost gave up on vinyl but ended up going to the Proj-ject Debut Carbon, upgrading teh platter and to an Ortofon Blue cart. Also using a dedicated 2 channel integrated made all the difference.  So if you're using a dedicated 2 channel amp with a discrete phono, it will sound better than what I did.  You have it, it's paid for, you might as well start with that and see how you like it.  But it will probably be the weak point in your chain.  

Today I'm using a VPI Scout Prime with a 2" platter and 10 inch tonearm.  It's a fairly high end table.  The cartridge is a Hana MC, and the phono is an Emotiva XPS-1.  I like my phono because you can control the resistance, which is important for a MC (moving coil) cart. 

Nice. I have the AudioTechnica AT-LP5 turntable with a 2m blue. Thinking about upgrading the phono stage to a pro-ject tube box s2 in the not too distant future. 

I still have my 2M Blue and think it's a great cart.  Nicely balanced and definite upgrade from the red.  Well worth the money.  That's cool that you're going tube.  Is the rest of your chain solid state?  Supposedly tube front with solid amp is the best of both worlds.  I want to do a tube preamp at some point. 





Yes it is all solid state. The phono stage i use now is the internal one inside the AT-LP5 and i have it plugged into my oknyo receiver which is probably 4 years old or so. 

Gern Blansten said:

I am going to spend some more time with it but I am not hearing much from my subwoofer.  Any idea what might cause that?  It is definitely on and it does buzz when I take out and replace the cable.  It just doesn't seem like anything is getting picked up.

Is my receiver needing to be adjusted or something?

How is it connected? LFE or speaker wire? Touch the woofer when it's playing loud.  Also see where it's set to, either on the sub or in the Denon setup.  80 kHz is normal.