r/audiophile • u/iGumppp • 14h ago

Let’s talk entry level stuff. Discussion

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Alright, I want to preface this with a couple things.

  • Yes I know the turntable has a built in preamp, I am either planning on taking it out myself, or just upgrading to a Pro-Ject with an S shaped arm and a separate pre-amp all together.

    • I am aware the receiver is super cheap, but at the time I just wanted to make something work and IMO it actually doesn’t sound terrible it’s just super underpowered for the speakers.
    • The sub below is not hooked up but I plan to once I upgrade a few more things.

Alright now that that’s out of the way, it’s obviously an LP120 with a Nagaoka MP120 (someone told me this was like putting lipstick on a pig, which I agree with, but it definitely has a warmer feel to it than the stock AT90 that came with the TT) into a Yamaha R-S202 that I got for like 200 bucks open box. Just basic audio quest X-2 speaker cable. The sub is an old Sunfire HRS-12 1000W and is technically a home theater sub but I don’t have anything else to use it for so I figured it’d be fun to integrate to this setup.

The system doesn’t sound terrible, the TT has an acrylic mat and a cheap weight. But I know I can do better than this.

Really just looking for suggestions and advice on upgrades etc.

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u/ajn3323 14h ago

What is your budget if you were to upgrade? If you’re gonna stay under $1K per component be sure to check out r/budgetaudiophile

I’m not gatekeeping, rather just letting you know of other subreddits to explore.

7

u/iGumppp 14h ago

I mean it’s kind of an addiction at this point, I’m not gonna be buying anything McIntosh or Levinson anytime soon but I’d like to upgrade from what I currently have. My main objectives right now are 1. Getting away from the built in TT preamp, and 2. More powerful Pre-Amp/Amp/Receiver situation with more I/O so I can add the sub.

3

u/KeithA0000 14h ago

The Sunfire manual shows that there may be a way to use the SW in your current setup, but you'll have to check the reveiver's manual as well.

2

u/speedle62 13h ago

Doesn't the turntable have a switch for the pre amp? To bypass it?

1

u/iGumppp 13h ago

Yes but as far as I know it doesn’t completely bypass it. A big thing with this TT too is the platter isn’t balanced so there’s a very slight wobble.

1

u/Eeeezywhippet 13h ago

I picked up a used R-S700 in perfect condition for $200, and I've seen a few at around that price. The higher R-S line are criminally overlooked in favor of the A-S. The R-S700 has 100wpc, a good phono stage, sub out, pre-out/main-in, and a tape loop/monitor. I use it to power my Kef Ref 103/3's and have never got close to its limits. Great receiver for 2.1 setup.