(Part 2) Best products from r/vinyl

Why not spend the $50-$100 its going to take to put a headshell and decent budget cartridge on the Gemini? That's cheaper than a night out, and you'll get a lot of hours of enjoyment out if it (setting the turntable up, tinkering/learning, and playing records). Even if you upgrade later, it's better than letting the Gemini collect dust or throwing it in the dumpster and raising the amount of perfectly serviceable and fun e-waste rotting in our landfills.

Edit: You will need to fix the speed adjustment slider and buttons on at least one of those though. That's very important for a record player.

Audiophiles are very picky and tend to invest a lot in their equipment (especially if they're buying brand new high end manual turntables, which is what this subreddit has a fetish for). Yeah the Gemini and the Sony look like shit if you sit them next to a brand new Rega, but why should you care?

Your Sony is cheap to buy, very simple and cheaply made, therefore to an audiophile it must be bad. It is also nearly impossible to tinker with (which is probably what is causing your dissatisfaction). That being said, it plays records and plays them pretty well. Your new turntable(s) won't give you much improvement in audio quality, but it will give you a ton of room to have fun with the hobby.

The Gemini is what is referred to as a Technics SL-1200 clone or Super OEM, and your assessment of it is mostly correct. It looks almost like an SL-1200, and it functions almost like one, but it has NONE of the refinement. Nice price though. It's actually pretty comparable to an Audio Technica AT LP-120, which costs a lot more than $15. Like I said, the Gemini probably won't give you much in terms of an audio improvement over the Sony. It will require a phono preamp if you don't have one yet (the Sony has a built-in preamp, the Gemini does not).

Changing headshells is a huge part of the fun of vinyl, and definitely something you want to get into if you're wanting to get technical with the hobby. The AT95e is one of the best budget cartridges and the Ortofon OM10 is the other. Since you specifically said you want to tinker, I would not buy the preassembled cartridge. I would buy a seperate headshell and an alignment protractor and do the installation myself. It's slightly cheaper than spending the $60 for the ready to install kit, and you'll learn more that way. If you're intimidated, there are A LOT of youtube guides on how to do this.

The Ortofon 2M Red and Shure M97xe are slightly classier budget cartridges, but they won't offer a big performance boost over the good budget option (the Ortofon Red sure is pretty looking though...). You'll need to spend >$200 on a cartridge before you start to see a significant upgrade over the budget options.

edit:
Quick links -

Budget headshell - https://www.amazon.com/ADJ-Products-TT-HEADSHELL-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B0002E51V2

Alignment protractor - https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Phonograph-Cartridge-Alignment-Protractor/dp/B079ZBLJ4M

AT95e - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-At95e-Phonograph-Cartridge/dp/B004NRVUMI/

Ortofon OM10 - https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-Super-OM10-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B000CCEQM4/

Ortofon 2M Red - https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Red-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B000WMCEKK/

Shure M97xe - https://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B007ZC2EYQ

AT LP-120 - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/

If you're only seeing large dust particles on the surface but not hearing much in terms of popping and crackling, then I'd go with just a basic carbon fiber brush like this AudioQuest one. If you're new to vinyl and don't already have one, it's a good thing to pick up anyway. It's good practice to brush each side before each spin. While these types of brushes won't clean a truly dirty record, they'll help your clean records stay clean.

If your records are noticeably loud and noisy then you'll probably have to go the route of wet cleaning. I see kits like this one a lot but I don't think they're really worth the money. You can do a better (and cheaper) job with:

• Microfiber Cloths - Run them all through a cycle in your washing machine (just water, no detergent) to get rid of any fuzz.
  
• Isopropyl Alcohol & Distilled Water - Put a solution of 1 part alcohol and 2 parts water into a spray bottle. You could even use as little as 1 to 4, I don't think it makes a huge difference. Make sure to get 90% plus alcohol and avoid any types of additives like menthol.
  
  You can lay one cloth flat to set the record on, spray it down and scrub around lightly with one of the cloths (it can help to dampen this with the distilled water). Personally I like to then dry the record with another cloth, spray it down with just distilled water to rinse it then dry again and repeat on the other side but you can find a method/system that works for you. If you're being super particular about it then remember to flip and replace the cloth the record is on so as not to contaminate the side you just cleaned. Also if you're worried about getting your labels wet, car applicator pads like these actually cover a label almost perfectly and they can also be used in place of a microfiber cloth to scrub the record, they work great.
  
  If you plan on sticking with vinyl for awhile though it's worth it to save up for a SpinClean. I was a skeptic for a long time but I'm glad I finally got one, it really is worth the money. It does a good job, it's well built and it's stupidly easy to use. If $80 seems too steep for a yellow plastic trough (which it really is, unfortunately) there are cheaper models such as this. Doesn't have a lid and comes with different cleaning fluid but it doesn't seem like a half bad option.
  
  Whichever option you go with always make sure you're putting your newly cleaned records into clean inner sleeves. If they were dirty in those sleeves it's very likely those sleeves are dirty too. Also remember to keep your turntable mat and stylus clean.

>They sound good but I feel like the mids can be slightly muffled and the highs aren't particularly sharp and clear. The lower mids and bass are great though.
>
>I'd be willing to spend up to $400.

I recommend passive speakers and an amp or receiver:

For the best value, first look used for less cost then the following options, or get one part used and the other new.

Receiver/Amp: Refurbished with a 1 year manufacturer warranty.

• Stereo: ONKYO TX-8220 $135, or ONKYO TX-8140 $200.
  
• AV If also ever using with a TV even with just 2 speakers, 4K HDMI switching, high pass crossover for your speakers if ever adding a subwoofer. DENON AVR-S640H 5.2 $200, Audyssey Multi EQ room correction EQ speaker setup and HEOS wireless networking and smartphone app. Also has a built in phono stage/preamp phono input you can start out with and then add a better external later.
  
  Speakers: Speaker recommendations from AverageJoeAudiophile and r/HTBuyingGuide.
  
  Internet Manufacturer Direct can be a good bang for the buck with 30 day in home trials so you can try 2 or 3 pairs.
  
  
• 5.25" Emotiva Airmotive B1 $230. Folded ribbon high-frequency transducers.
  
• 5.25" Wavecrest Audio HVL-1, and order on sale at Ascend $80 each + shipping, budget Ascends. Front ported. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. Great mids which many speakers lack. To me, comparable to KEF Q100s. As with most bookshelf speakers, best with a subwoofer.
  
• 6.5" Ascend CBM-170s $300 + $30 shipping. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. I have these for their great mids which many speakers in the price range lack.
  
• 6.5" HSU HB-1 MK2 $280 + $60 shipping. Have a good low end if not getting a subwoofer at all or right away.
  
  On sale:
  
  
• 5.25" Infinity Reference 152 $140 refurbished, originally $350 MSRP or Boston A25 $150 bogo.
  
• 6.5" $200 a pair, JBL Studio 230 refurbished or Boston A26 bogo.
  
• 6.5" Klipsch RP-160M $340.
  
  Towers on sale:
  
  
• Pioneer FS52 $150 pair (note the long massdrop ship time).
  
• JBL Studio 270 $260 pair.
  
• Boston A250 $225 pair bogo.
  
  DIY speakers, build your own: Add around $50+ for tools and supplies. Kits includes pre-cut cabinets. Glue, solder, paint, assemble. Comparable to built speakers costing twice as much
  
  
• C-Notes $100 are a great starter DIY speaker.
  
  Speaker wire: Pure Copper Oxygen Free 16 Gauge Speaker Wire 50 ft. and self adjusting wire strippers, optional banana plugs to add. Or already with banana plugs, Micca or DFWCableConnection.
  
  Speaker stands: Dayton Audio SSMB24, Monoprice Glass or Monolith by Monoprice and Audio Advisor where most are also available at Amazon.
  
  Subwoofer:
  
  
• 10" Infinity SUB R10 Reference Series $399 $140 flash sale ends in 1 day.
  
  If going with powered speakers:
  
  
• Fluance Ai40 5" $170 on sale.
  
• Fluance Ai60 6.5" $300 adds a bit more low end, subwoofer out port, optical and USB inputs.
  
  Guides:
  
  Home Audio: Intro to home stereo systems • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • Guide to Home Audio • AverageJoeAudiophile's Guides • r/BudgetAudiophile
  
  Speaker Positioning: Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening • How to position your speakers for great sound

Sidebar links are a great starting point. You've got a good grasp of the beginning points.

I would recommend going with a setup that consists of a Receiver/Amplifier, Passive Speakers, and a Turntable. Yes I left out Phono Stage Amplifier, but I would personally pick a receiver that has it built in.

For a receiver if you want to go for new my two cheap but very well featured options would be the Onkyo TX-8020 and the Onkyo TX-8220. These do have built in phono inputs. Compare the features for yourself to see what seems good to you.

If you want to go used, check out eBay and do a search for "stereo receiver", You can go with anything you think is good as well as looking into the reputation of the brands/models, though it becomes hard to find reviews of old hifi equipment. Almost anything from mid-90s and before will have a phono input that will save you the phono stage purchase.

For passive speakers a very cost effective and something I use in my setup are the Dayton Audio B652 bookshelf speakers. These are decently loud and have great sound.

For a turntable going with new ones will be more expensive and you should look at the recommended ones from the sidebar as they explain it there best. If you're going used, look on eBay for "turntable" and find something that is claimed as working well and is also a recommended brand from the sidebar links. In general something decent is 100% going to have an adjustable tonearm weight, all these new bad turntables always lack this.

One last thing you didn't explicitly ask for, but you should be knowledgeable about is cartridges. You will most likely want to buy a new one for a used turntable. I would say the most cost effective cartridges are found in the range of $50 to $150, do thorough research on installing cartridges and setting them up correctly and you should be on your way to great sound.

For 300 bucks personally I would go with decent Powered speakers. Make sure you pick up a phono preamp as well if you go this route as opposed to using an amp+passive speakers (which is much more expensive, unless you go used). That's the setup I did, minimalist, clean, decent value, but still relatively cheap. Here's my setup for example...

https://www.amazon.com/rolls-VP29-Phono-Preamp/dp/B0002BG2R2 - Rolls VP29 Phono Preamp

https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B016PATXSI - Edifier R1700BT Powered Speakers with Bluetooth - For the value these sound really awesome. Only downside is there are not great with lots of bass, they flubber. In retrospect I might have gotten something different, but most stuff I listen to isn't bass heavy so I'm not torn over it. I also wanted bluetooth in this room because it's a guest room.

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Elemental-Gray-Turntable-Grey/dp/B01CZW826Y?th=1 - Pro-Ject Elemental Turntable - Great value turntable on the low-end if you buy new.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000513O4/ - Tripp Lite Isobar surge protector - Because I'm paranoid about this stuff and these are high end surge protectors that we use at work. They are bulletproof.

----------------------------------

So anyways... for 300 bucks you can pick up the same phono preamp and these...

https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R2000DB-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B01CDU3IAI

I hear the R2000's don't have the same bass issue that the r1700 does, but they cost a lot more. Edifier is kind of one of the best in value right now, it's "Chi-Fi" good. The hardcore audiophile kiddos are often brand-whores, so take their allegiance with a grain of salt and try to remain objective, read reviews, technical analysis, etc..

https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-A2-Powered-Speaker-System/

The A2's always get good reviews in this price range, I have no personal experience, but there are recent reviews that show problems with quality control, maybe the company is getting worse?

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-2017-R-14PM-Powered-Monitor/dp/B075JRF295

A lot of people swear by the Klipsch powered monitors once you get into this price range, but I don't have any personal experience, maybe someone else can chime in, just showing it here because you might want to consider it, read about them more.

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Signature-S20-Bookshelf/dp/B01LVWWXQG

These are just barely in the price range, definitely consider them, my friend has a Polk setup and he loves it. These seem to get good reviews from hip hop heads too, so the bass response must be good.

It really depend on your musical taste, the room, what kind of setup you are wanting to go with overall and for what purpose though. If you want to be able to handle everything, up the budget, or buy used honestly. If you stay on a small budget and buy new, you are going to have to have compromises. I was wiling to have that compromise, but others may not.

Ideally, you want to spend the most money towards obtaining better speakers. You can't improve upon the sound of your source, but you can lose less detail; the speakers are the culprits that lose/alter/affect the most of your sound's detail/musicality/etc. So naturally, this is what you want to spend the most money on (cheap speakers with cheap components really dull down the music). The best NEW budget speakers you'll find are $80 Micca MB42X's.

As a rule of thumb: used audio equipment is usually cheaper and better than new items at the same price range.

As far as turntables go, the LP60 does need to be upgraded. When looking for a better turntable, you really want to have tracking weight adjustment, anti-skating adjustment, and the possibility to upgrade cartridges (the part that houses the needle and interprets grooves into analog audio signal). The LP60 has none of those. My go to recommendation would be to look for a used Rega Planar 3 or P3 on eBay (~$350), those are some quality tables with lots of room for upgradeability (installing upgrades to the Rega can make it come close to $3,000+ TTs).

For a phono preamplifier, on a tight budget, I'd recommend a Cambridge Audio Azur 540p, which can be found for ~$50-60.

Increasing your budget up to $500 would put you together a setup that would definitely sound FAR better than an AT-LP60!

Wish you two best of luck, and enjoy the music!

The cheap player might do some damage when playing them over time, but there's not much you can do about that one until you can afford to upgrade. Mind you all record players do this, but the cheaper ones will be harder on your records over a shorter period of time.

In the meantime, I'd recommend getting a record cleaning brush (this is just an example, you can buy whichever one you prefer) and use it to gently brush dust and dirt off the record. Even new ones will often have some paper residue on them from their sleeves.

A good idea would be to also buy some polylined innersleeves (again, an example, but these are amongst the best - you can find cheaper ones, just make sure they're polylined and not just plain paper sleeves). Often new (and used) records come in cheap paper innersleeves. These does not prevent static buildup (quite the contrary) and can cause some nasty scuffs on your records over time as well as leaving fine paper residue in the record grooves.

Finally, you can buy some plastic/PVC outer sleeves. These are not strictly necessary, and often they protect the album cover more than the actual album. But they'll keep your covers looking nicer for a longer period of time and reduce the risk of damage in case you spill stuff or, God forbid, your record room floods. There are several types of these and which ones you should use is essentially up to personal preference. Don't store your records directly in these without their cover or sleeve though, as some of these outer sleeves can leave plastic residue on the discs over time.

There are also record cleaning equipment. This is most often used for used albums, but are also good for new ones. I'd recommend googling around for information about that and see what you think is good enough as record cleaning is a new hobby in itself and people can't seem to agree entirely on best practices.

I hope this helps a little bit :)

I will admit your budget will be quite hard to work with. Never the less. You will want a Turntable that have a built in pre-amp unless you go vintage, but someone else will have to help you with that as I do not know anything about vintage TTs.

You will also want some active speaker/s, these speakers have a built in receiver so everything will work, you'll have volume control and so on.

Because your budget is in dollars I am guessing you are American, you could try and wait until the black friday deals kicks off, I know you can get some great stuff at heavily discounted prices.

Alternatively you could get the turntable and a receiver with a headphone input so you could listen through headphones. My receiver has a 6.5 mm input so it was just a matter of getting a 6.5mm adapter for a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Maybe a second hand receiver like this, https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8020-channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00EE18O7W/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1541538031&sr=8-8&keywords=Turntable+receiver is worth looking at?

I think waiting until black friday is a good thing to do first. You may even be able to pick up a better turntable, maybe the Audio technica LP 120 for less, I think it was selling at $170 in some places last year looking back through the posts, and at that price you cant beat it, and it still has a built in pre-amp.

I'm sure they'll be other people on here who will help you too. Just reply if you want to ask anything.

I own this table and its a tank!

I have this carbon fiber slip mat that helps bring down static.
http://www.sleevecityusa.com/sleeve-city-carbon-fiber-turntable-mat-p/dm-232.htm

I have this headshell
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001GVJA1C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419565880&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

This cartridge.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007ZC2EYQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1419565950&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

The shure m97xe is a decent beginner cart and it's very neutral sounding in my opinion. I listen to a wider variety of music and it does a decent job highlighting each sound. You can also upgrade the needle down the road to the Jico SAS which I hear is amazing.

I'm sure others can recommend some other carts for you but I only wanna talk about what I own.

Also you're gonna want a record cleaning brush. The audio quest is a great little brush that I've had for almost 2 years now and is great to use before you spin a record.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006VMBHI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419566312&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40


Any other questions be sure to ask. I know a bit of the technical stuff on this table and I'll do my best to help.

I think it's will be okay for those few months if you pick up a new stylus or cartridge and the tracking force is set properly. Because it does not have a counterweight that you can balance you need a scale to measure the tracking force (it's always good to have one anyways for future turntables). Any scale that can read hundredth of grams should be fine. You can pick them up on Amazon from $10-30.

Also, pick up a new stylus for your cartridge. If you do not know what cartridge is on it here are two options: (1) better option: Audio-Technica AT92ECD $25 on amazon, and (2) slightly cheaper but worse option: Audio Technica AT3482P $20 on amazon.

With the cartridge/stylus install the scale should read 1.25g (at little higher at 1.5g is also fine).

If you find that vinyl is your thing, upgrade it in the future. New decent starter tables are things like the U-Turn Orbit, Audio-Technica LP120 (don't get an LP60, the table that you have now is better if working properly). Check out the Entry Level Turntable Guide. There is always the option of going used as well, just make sure you research and test everything. Good luck. Hopefully, that helps you out.

Yeah, unfortunately you're not alone. I've had family members buy Logitech stuff and it not work out the box only to replace it with another set that didn't work a few days later. Logitech even sells speakers with fake tweeters that can just be pulled out.

If you want recommendations just a little over the price of those logitechs, here's what I'd get:

Micca PB42x $109
I've heard really great things with price to value on this set. It's got a proper crossover and should sound pretty great.

Edifer R1280T $99

My friend has a set of these, and he really likes them I haven't heard them for myself yet, be he recommends them for the price, and I trust his judgement!

I'm a college student as well, so I understand budget determines most things right now, so if those don't work for you I'd recommend just exchanging the logitechs for a hopefully new working pair.

A lot of newer Altec speakers are computer speakers. Which isn't necessarily bad, but a lot of them are just cheap small things meant for gaming and such. That said, vintage speakers might be good. I don't know much about the particular model you have. A quick google sent me here. Might be helpful: http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/altec-model-83.46545/

I can't vouch for them myself, but there are $100-ish powered speakers to be had. These are sometimes recommended around here: https://www.amazon.com/Micca-PB42X-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00NXAEPDC/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1475027797&sr=8-8&keywords=powered+speakers

There's also these, that look really nice, though I don't know much about their quality: https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1280T-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B016P9HJIA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1475027797&sr=8-6&keywords=powered+speakers

I have Mackie CR4s, which are a bit more at $150. They're decent.

If you have a relatively small room and/or just want a minimal setup, powered bookshelf speakers are a good way to go.

If you have a large room and want to do lots of future upgrading, getting a receiver/amplifier now would be fine as well.

For me, I decided to stick with the bookshelfs, as my next upgrade with be a second table and a full receiver/floor speakers for my office. That way I can keep my current setup for the living room. :)

What exactly do you have? There might be some adjustments you could do, knowing what tt you're working with could help.

Edit: I saw it's a Crosley. Yeah, sorry man, those things just aren't good. I'll say what the other guy said too, if an album's skipping, don't listen to it anymore, nothing will make that Crosley track it without grinding it like a millstone. It won't hurt your records that play fine that much, unless you use it for years. Check your local Craiglist for vintage turntables, if you post a link to your craigslist I bet some guys here would be glad to help you out with picking one. Check with old people you know, they might have some stuff they're willing to give away, I got the receiver and speakers I'm using right now from a man at church, and another guy gave me a Kenwood tt that would work fine with a new belt and stylus. I hope you can find a kickass setup, but in the meantime, just enjoy what you've got.

EDIT DOS: while I'm giving out advice, I suggest you pick up one of these . They're cheap, and they're great for getting dust off of your records, which can put pops and crackle in them. I always use it before I play mine, just a quick clean.

Get a Audio Technica LP60 or whatever the newest version is, about $100. And a pair of $100 active speakers. There is a preamp in the turntable, and the speakers will power themselves. Instant glory for $200ish. This is a decent start without breaking the bank and having decent audio.
Don't worry too much about vintage or new or upgrading this or that for now. Make sure you actual enjoy the sound of records, the cost of new records, and the hunt trying to find your favorite artists. It's not for everyone. I had a busy who got into it, 100 records later, he's back to streaming cause of the ease of use. Take it slow, learn about the hobby and enjoy what you have, not what you want.

Consider open boxes on Amazon to save a few bucks on something newer.

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fidelity, Plays 33 -1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl Records, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N3XJ66N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2BopDbQNCMP1J

Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers, 2.0 Active Monitor System (Renewed) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0741GJSJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hDopDbM005QQS

Check these out. Go from there. Once you start understanding the in and out of the test of the stereo components start adding and upgrading as you come across a good deal. I would consider an actual amp next followed by passive speakers, don't hook the active speakers up to the amp, it'll sound bad and unlistenable. Then, add a cassette deck of you want plus a CD player, mini disc if you're a glutton for punishment.

Hope this helps, and gives you some pointers.
Last bit of advice..... Don't buy every dollar record at the record store/thrift shops. Look for music you actually will listen to. If your into modern stuff, look for it. If you're into classic rock, then do that. But if you're a rocker... Why would you buy some weird jazz album but some unknown that you'll listen to once only to find out it's not your style. Look up albums on online by bands you don't know and check their sound out first. It's okay to have a single jazz album or something you inherited, but save your money for stuff you like.

Cheers!

Everyone will probably bash that table. Honestly you need to check craigslist. You can find a 10x better tt for the same price used. Direct drive technics with a p mount was perfect for me as a beginner. Consult this chart for value and specs for technics. http://vintagetechnics.co.uk/turntables.htm

For speakers, you can likely only afford a lepai amp and some bookshelves. It's best to buy them seperately so you can upgrade down the line. I use the micca mb42x and they are amazing for $80.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7H8GG2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1422380371&sr=8-1&dpPl=1&dpID=41-MULbHU8L&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

If you are really strapped for cash or just want more budget for the TT, the Daytons are $40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002RMPHMU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1422380443&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=415%2Blb1v0JL&ref=plSrch

Amp http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0049P6OTI/ref=pd_aw_sims_3?pi=SS115&simLd=1


And if you save a bit more and can't find a good used model or just can't wait to buy new, the u turn is much better than the lp60 at $170. Just need a preamp.

http://store.uturnaudio.com

Congrats on the turntable! I got a 120 for Christmas, too; I'm really enjoying it!

I like your setup. You may find that people have very passionate feelings about Bose speakers, or pretty much anything in the audio chain, really, but ultimately what matters is how you feel when you're sitting there listening to them.

That receiver would be a good match. Here's an alternative for $50 more, with what I think are nicer aesthetics. I've had good luck with Yamaha amps in the past.

Nice receiver! I love the look (and sound) of the old 1970's-era Marantz receivers. Now for some suggestions:

1.) Get rid of the Discwasher. It is completely ineffective and can actually grind dust deeper into the grooves. Consider replacing it with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT6012-Record-Care/dp/B0009IGAPW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343346910&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+record+cleaning+kit

2.) Invest in a carbon fiber brush for cleaning light surface dust before each play. Use it dry, in between wet cleanings. I use one by Audioquest, and it does an admirable job. It is available here:
http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-LP-record-clean-brush/dp/B0006VMBHI/ref=pd_cp_e_0

These two items are the cheapest and most effective upgrade for any vinyl system.

3.) Consider upgrading your turntable. Something like a Pioneer PL-12D will vastly outperform your Sony deck, and it can be found on eBay sometimes for under $100.

4.) New speakers (but you know that already).

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. And good for you for taking the first plunge into vinyl :-)

Hi guys, I'm relatively new to playing records. I've had a turntable setup for a year or so, but don't get to use it that much.

My question is, how do you control static pops and clicks? Even on the records I buy brand new, I still get pops and clicks and my turntable sounds nowhere near as good as playing music from my iPod to my receiver. I have:

• Infinity Interlude Il60 speakers
  
• Harmon Kardon AVR325 Receiver
  
• An 80s Kenwood preamp (not the best, I know, but I don't think it should be that weak)
  
• A late 80s Technics home turntable, not one of the nicer professional type ones
  
  I replaced the cartridge with this Audio Technica cartridge, hoping it would help out, but it didn't help much at all. I realize it's a cheap cartridge, but so is my preamp and turntable.
  
  I have used this record washing contraption and this anti static brush, but niether seem to keep the dust off of my records, and pops and clicks develop way too quickly.
  
  I love spinning some vinyl, but when the sound quality doesn't compare to digital music, it really turns me off :(
  
  What do you use to keep your records fresh and clean, and what can I do to control dust and static on my records so I don't ruin them?

How often? Every time you wish to play it.

How hard? It depends! I inherited my grandfather's and my father's record collection when I started collecting. Some of the records were very dirty, so I bought a SpinClean to get rid of the dirt.

I've cleaned all my records with it at least once (even the new ones), and after that I just brush with a carbon fiber brush before I put it on the turntable (to remove static and light dirt, paper linen, etc).

Cleaning with the brush while the record is spinning is easier, but it does not get rid of static, and sometimes it generates more of it (i live in a very dry city), and the same goes for the dust (they cling on the record because of the static).

TL:DR: you should always deep clean your records once (the SpinClean is awesome for this). After that is just keeping them clean with a carbon fiber brush, and that is super easy!

Hi all, got a question about speakers and record player set-up in general. I would like to set up an old record player (Fisher MT-6420), and I was able to get a receiver with phono preamp from my uncle (ONKYO Quartz Synthesized Tuner Amplifier RI - not sure if specs matter, but putting them here just in case). Last thing I would need is a set of speakers, most seem to recommend the Edifier R1280T as a good starter set. However I would like my speakers to have Bluetooth as well, so I was considering getting instead the Edifier R1700BT which are $50 more and have Bluetooth capabilities.

My question is, is this still a good set up (Fisher + ONKYO + Edifier 1700BT)? I cannot seem to find on the amazon web page if these have passive capabilities. If not, any recs on other speakers that double as passive speakers but also have Bluetooth capabilities?

Thanks!

I dont claim to be an expert in audio, but this sony and this yamaha are popular new receivers. If you want a deal, try craigslist or FB marketplace. They aren't the worst spots to look but it takes patience.

There are also lower end amps if you dont want to spend a crap load of money, something like this would also get the job done. It wouldn't be the most amazing amp ever made but it wouldn't be the worst.

As for the preamp, it depends. Some people have no problem using a table's built in pre, others think they're garbage and even cut them out of the table. Using the built in pre saves some money but the sound quality won't be 100%. Might be more in the range of like 90% but that's not acceptable for some.

It's really what you are ok with. I personally run through my lp120's pre into an active speaker right now, but i'm getting a cheaper amp and passive speakers to free up my active speaker cause it's more portable and has other uses for me. I'm sure someone will tell you how I'm using a terrible setup, but it's what I'm ok with.

Hey guys!
My girlfriend is a music lover and her birthday is coming up so I wanted to surprise her with a new turntable. Her old Crosley turntable crapped out recently after only on year of use.

I am a complete newbie when it comes to this kind of stuff, but after doing a bit of research these are the items I have decided on.

Audio Technica At-LP60BK Turntable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008872SIO/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Micca MB42 Bookshelf Speakers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009IUIV4A/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=AFKH6OU9WWNFS&psc=1


The main issue I am having is picking an amplifier. It seems that I would need one in order to properly connect the turntable and speakers. These are the two I am looking at now, but I'm not sure if they are compatible with my set up or will have enough power. Any recommendations on which one I should pick? My budget is pretty tight.

Seeduck Lepy Mini Amplifier
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HRR5AWQ/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=A1MZW54YOZT6K2&psc=1

Pyle Home Mini Amplifier
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0071HZ5EQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I would appreciate any help, thank you :)

Hello friends. I've been a vinyl collector and listener for about 2 years now, and I'm finally looking to move towards a more advanced set-up. Here's my current player: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K9ER5L8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

I haven't done an extraordinary amount of reserach, but I'm really interested in getting an Audio-Technica, specifically I've been looking at the LP3: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRDMKG5/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1BUH46KY8R8R5&colid=1EJXO93Y8SK8S.

I've also been looking at these speakers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016PATXSI/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2BE3IGG8CFF7J&colid=1EJXO93Y8SK8S, because I really want to focus on a wood style with my whole set-up as much as possible.

Is it possible for these two pieces to work without any other parts? I would love to hear anything you guys know about these products or any other advice you have for a newby like myself. Ideally, I would put my budget at around $400-450, but if I needed a receiver, etc. I'd bump it to $600-650.

Needing help with new set up for my wife’s Technics SL-BD20

17 years ago my wife and I got married and moved into a new house and my wife’s old Technics SL-BD20 turntable never got unpacked. We had small children at the time and not much room.

Now the kids are older and we still don’t have much room, but she’s always been a big fan of vinyl and as a Christmas present I’d like to get her up and running again!

I considered buying a new turntable (the LP120), but she’s always cherished her SL-BD20 turntable, so I am pretty set on keeping this turntable. If she really gets back into vinyl we can upgrade in a couple years.

And I want to keep the whole process as simple and straightforward as possible since I really have no clue what I am doing!

Today, I plugged in the turntable and everything appears to be functioning as it should.

She has a Sony LBT D108 stereo with direct phono hookup and some large-ish Sony SS-D110 speakers. I want to ditch these and figure out a smaller set up for the time being.

I’d like to keep the footprint as small as possible and as I am a woodworker I may even build her a cabinet and shelf unit to house everything.

So from my research it appears I need a pre amp and some powered speakers. And a new cartridge. And probably a new belt to have on hand.

I was wanting to spend about $50 on the pre amp. From doing a little research this seems to be a good one: ART Pro Audio DJPRE II https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJR482/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1MCQTNZBUHMQG&coliid=I3A0D31NILP92W

Another $25 on a cartridge: Audio-Technica AT92ECD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006HO3L/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1MCQTNZBUHMQG&coliid=I3N3SNC9BX4PUV&psc=1

And then perhaps some smallish powered bookshelf speakers for around $100 or perhaps a bit more if it makes sense. I could really use some suggestions on speakers.

I’m looking to maybe spend a couple hundred bucks total to get her back to listening to vinyl.

Sorry, I am a total noob and have zero experience with stereos etc. Will I need any other adaptors or speaker wire or anything else?

Welcome to the club and happy birthday.

As for speakers, I’d recommend Micca MB42X any day. At $90/pair, they’re a great buy.

Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers With 4-Inch Carbon Fiber Woofer and Silk Dome Tweeter (Black, Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7H8GG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i_1k.3Ab6RQV1X5

But you’ll definitely want to head over to r/zeos and do a little research before committing. Audio can be an expensive habit, so you might as well get the best bang for your buck.

I got my first TT about a year ago. It's an AT-LP-120. After a year of loving it I'm ready to upgrade my sound. I am planning on removing the built in pre-amp, and getting new speakers.

I've picked out the Polk Audio RTI A1's for my new speakers but now I need help finding an amp and a pre-amp to go with it. I have seen people recommend receivers and amps but I don't know what I should go for. I was looking at the Yamaha RS-201 for a receiver. I don't really know where to start for pre-amps, as I've seen tons of different things recommended.

I want to keep my amp+pre-amp solution around the $200 mark, but if you think that's not possible then let me know. If you guys have any suggestions on how to proceed that would be great.

I have 2 Audio Technica LP60's in my apt along with an older Technics SL. None of them have anti skating feature and play anything I put on there. Flexi disks, 10", 7", 180g, 160g, you name it. If I were you, I'd go with an AT-LP60. You can find it here on Amazon along with some speakers like this. That is the minimum amount of equipment needed to get into vinyl. The whole package is about 200USD so that's still within your budget and more importantly it's all new equipment. As time goes on she can upgrade individual components and add more equipment such as a dedicated preamp, carbon brush, cork board mats, etc. That's what I've been doing for the past 3 years and since then I've gotten a fairly decent setup. You just gotta be frugal and hold out till you find what you're looking for. Hope that helps, best of luck

Great turntable! I'd also recommend getting one of these, which is super handy in keeping the dust off your records once you get started!

RE Amps:

You don't really need that pre-amp if you buy an amplifier with a "Phono" input. This serves the same purpose as a pre-amp, namely, converting the turntable's signal into something the amp can work with.

Something like This, for example. Many modern amps also have multiple inputs for your iPod, CD player, and whatever else you need, which is great! :D


Those pre-amps are useful if you already have an amplifier which does NOT have this phono input, which is often the case with modern stereos.

Hey Guys, I'm trying to create a some-what cheap and MODERN set up for myself with multiple use (but limited channels in the receiver, so I found a receiver with Bluetooth option) and high convenience... Am I missing anything? Or is there anything I should add?

Cheap Bluetooth w/ Limited Channels Receiver

Turntable, and I really love this one.... Really Jacks Up Price

Speakers that come with wire, but adding a spool from amazon anyways...

Wire and Plugs

Do I need anything else? Hi-Fi amp or something? The turntable comes with a phono-preamp and the speakers look decent and are at my price range. Any tips on how to set this up as well? Including the best way to use the plugs or if I should get different plugs.

With the current prices of this post, the overall price is... $462.88 USD and W/O the turntable, it is $213.88 XD

Replacement Turntable that is affordable which puts the new price at $298.88

As has been pointed out, the Denon you listed is a variation of a stock turntable produced by Hanpin of China. The current base model is the Hanpin FU-7000 and is rebadged as the Denon you linked, Sony PS-LX300, Pioneer PL-990, Audio Technica LP-60, and the Marantz TT5005 amongst others. It has been produced since the early 1990s in various iterations.

I'm not sure if you realize, but the NS-B210BL you linked are sold a single speakers, not a pair. If budget is a concern, I think you would be better off with the Pioneer BS-22LR, which are well reviews, retail for $130/pr. and often go on sale for $100 or less.

I'm going to agree with nevermind4790 and say the Lepai is not your best option for an amplifier. '90s era equipment is where the dollar value is at. If you link to your local craigslist, we might be able to find something suitable for you.

If you are interested only in new, then you might look into the U-Turn Orbit Basic for a turntable. Is it assembled here in the USA and has great customer service. For a budget receiver, you could look into the Sherwood RX-4109 or the Yamaha R-S201BL.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Natural-Stereo-Receiver-R-S201BL/dp/B00F0H88SY

http://www.radioshack.com/sherwood-rx-4109-stereo-receiver/3100100.html

Out of the ones I've seen recommended in this sub:

> "I just need something."

• ART DJPREII - $49
  
  > "I want something decent."
  
  
• Pro-Ject Phono Box MM - $79
  
• U-Turn Pluto - $99
  
  > "I want something really good."
  
  
• Pro-Ject Phono Box - $129
  
• Schiit Mani - $129
  
• Emotiva Audio XPS-1 - $179
  
  ***
  
  I've personally had my eye on a Schiit Mani but might save up for a Tube Box S. I play guitar so anything tube kinda draws me in. I still need to mod the preamp out of my LP120 so I don't fully know how well my Klipsch's preamp is performing. If it's good enough then I can save up for the Tube Box S.

Personally, I think that's a terrible suggestion to not worry about your speakers. There are some really bad speakers out there. And some great deals to be had on used tables...

Some speakers can be really bad. Also, I'm assuming your record player won't be your only source of music? Your other sources will suffer from the lack of spending on speakers. You can get some really nice stuff speaker-wise for 100-200 bucks if you look around on craigslist and ebay. And your turntable doesn't have to be brand new.

If you're cool with used look for name brands that are known for good speakers. B&W, Boston Acoustic, Polk, Advent, JBL to name a few. Google the model number of whatever you find, see what people on the interbutts think about the speakers. If you have to have new speakers, these are OK for 89 bucks, but there's better stuff out there... That's pretty much the minimum of what I could recommend; you can spend more to get better, but those are OK to start.

You can pair that off with either a pair of active (powered) speakers or a separate amp/receiver and passive speakers. For a 200 dollar budget, I think powered speakers will give you more bang for your buck and less hassle. Something like hese Edifiers might do the trick, they got a 4-star review from What Hi-Fi? and support multiple wired inputs (and bluetooth) and have a remote: https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B016PATXSI/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1519589800&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=powered+speakers&psc=1

However, if you want to go vintage and can spare the extra space, having a separate amp or receiver opens up options like hooking up other sources (TV, CD, bluetooth devices, radio, etc) easier. This is the route I went with, pairing a vintage early 80s receiver with a pair of thrift store speakers. It's not the world's most elegant solution so if space is at a premium, you might want to look elsewhere. For reference, here's how much space my current setup takes: https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21231153_10213692597165419_7389388015653979636_n.jpg?oh=48add213e3e7983b782dafd02e2d1471&oe=5B46D8CD Mine's not a particularly large receiver either, they can get much bigger than that.

I have an old record player(which is dead, sadly), which was an all-in-one with a large hardwood cabinet. I'd like to retrofit the old cabinet with a modern turntable, speakers and a tube amp.

I'm looking for a turntable which will fit right now, and I have a dimensional constraint- the turntable can only be 14" deep. It can be up to 26" wide, and as tall as you like, but the cabinet is only 14" deep(IE if you are looking straight down into the chamber, the turntable can be very wide along the x-axis, but we only have 14" to work with on the Y-axis).

What is a good, high quality turntable that is 14" deep or less?

There is plenty of space elsewhere in the cabinet for the amplifier, pre-amp(if necessary), and for good, modern speakers. The cubby for the most important component just has an annoying constraint, and one which is hard to search for. I'm looking now, and it seems that TEAC has a few models in that size range, but I have not heard great things about their products.

https://www.amazon.com/TN-300-Analog-Turntable-Pre-amplifier-Digital/dp/B00P9W6SUK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498767102&sr=8-2&keywords=TEAC+turntable

So, at 13.4 x 16", this will fit easily, for example.

Any help and recommendations will be appreciated!

I live in Canada so the prices for me fluctuate a bit than for Americans when ordering onlien, I recently picked up the Pioneer SP-BS22's, my tt is still in transit so I haven't had the chance to demo them much, but from what i hear they're pretty well received, the reviews i've read seem to point out they sound a lot better than the price would lead you to believe. They go for about $120 on U.S sites.

But if that is too much, these Micca speakers have a pretty good following, and at a mere $50, they definitely a steal!

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A

I definitely won't claim to be an expert, but i recommend getting a cheap cartridge to start off with if you're new to vinyl. Something like like an Audio Technica AT 92ECD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006HO3L/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details) it's super cheap, but still a really solid starter cartridge.

Don't freak, man. Here are a few pointers to start with...

1. Do not touch the record anywhere but on the outer edge and the label. Your fingers carry oil that will get into the grooves and attract dust/grime that effs up your needle.
   
2. Do not touch the needle (also called a stylus). same reason as #1, but also run the risk of bending or damaging it.
   
3. Store your records vertically. Don't stack them on top of eachother...that leads to warpage
   
4. get an anti-static brush. This gets dust out of grooves and will aid in reducing static.
   
5. check out some videos about 'loudness' on youtube. They are good representations about the difference in mastering from vinyl to CD. It may be hard to tell with your punk collection, but vinyl is generally mastered much better than other formats so it really does sound better.
   
6. good luck.

The typical turntable setup requires a turntable with a pre-amp (built in or external), two speakers, and an amp. If your speakers are powered you don’t need an amp.

At your price point you’ll get the best bang for your buck if you get lucky and find it used at thrift stores. I live in a big city and that shit goes lightening fast. I looked for months and could never find anything so I bought new.

The cheapest new turntable that isn’t a PoS is the u-turn orbit. A cheap external pre-amp that will do the job will run you [$49](ART ART DJPREII Pro Audio DJPRE II Phono Turntable Preamplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJR482/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kK0SAb2F9RQDB). Some budget starter speakers $79 and a little cheap amp $29.

Now this goes over your budget so if you have to buy the turntable new you can reduce cost by looking for speakers and a stereo receiver (rather than an amp) at thrift stores. This stuff is usually easier to find than the turntable. Good luck!

Edit: whatever you do, don’t buy the audio technica lp60. It’s a PoS and you will want to replace it. Better to be patient and save.

Micca PB42X ($120)

JBL LSR305 ($269)

I know that's a big jump from $120 to $269 but there's not a ton in-between that is any good. I like the Audio Engine A2+ for $250 but honestly for $250 you might as well jump up to the much better JBLs.

I wouldn't get the Lepai amp. Get something used. Personally, I would get something old, like if you could find an old pioneer or a technics receiver at a yard sale or something, you would be set. I don't know why these are unavailable right now, but I've heard good things about these speakers http://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B009IUIV4A/ref=pd_cp_e_0 And also, I would find a used turntable for sure. Usually, it's very easy to find a nice one. You may want to replace the stylus though.

I don't really know if I need a phono input or a seperate pre amp. I can give you what we have, maybe that would help clear some things up. You sure know more than I do.

Turntable- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002GYTPAE/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Speakers - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009IUIV4A/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With this info, could you give me some links in that budget on amazon? Thanks much for your help. I really do appreciate it

The Urturn you linked is a fine table, however it will not work with the speakers you linked to out of the box. The Uturn has the option of coming with a built-in phono preamp, this is not the same as an amplifier for speakers.

Basically, the audio chain for a turntable is:
Turntable --> Phono preamp --> amplifier --> speakers
These don't have to be four separate components- powered speakers have the amplifier built in to them, and some amplifiers and turntables have the phono preamp built in.

How you want to achieve this is up to you: separate components take up more space and add in complexity while also allowing you to upgrade pieces. If you want a simple setup that will sound decent, the best option might be the uturn with the built in preamp, and a set of powered speakers like these or these. The speakers you linked are passive and if you want to use them you will need an amplifier like this which also has a phono preamp built-in.

The Urturn comes with a cartridge- most entry to midlevel turntables do (only really high-end tables come without them) so you don't need to worry. As for cables, everything in the audio path I listed above is connected with RCA cables except amplifer to speakers, which use speaker wire like this

I would highly recommend against buying that set of speakers. My brother bought a pair so that he could use them for a school presentation that he was giving from his laptop, and they were acceptable at best for that. I figured I would give them a shot when he was done with them, and was extremely disappointed.

The tweeters were tinny and didn't get very loud. This wouldn't have bothered me that much, except the sub would completely overpower them to the point that, at full volume, I couldn't hear the tweeters when they were 18 inches from my head. The sub is also really really muddy. Anything over a moderately fast bassline will just sound like one long note instead of a string of short ones.

To top it all off, the cables are insanely short, so there's no escaping that woofer no matter how hard you try. And with the lack of any sort of bass level adjustment you're hopeless unless you have some sort of EQ on whatever you hook them up to.

If you want cheap speakers, save another 50 bucks and buy this amp and these speakers. You'll probably get way better sound than any 2.1 computer speaker set you can find for anywhere near that price.

Or check out /r/zeos as there's a lot of good information there about budget setups (it's where my recommendations came from)

As everyone mentioned, buy a used TT. Typically, you can find stuff used, in good working order, and much higher quality than anything new in the price of $75-150. I personally like the Pioneer line of direct-drive turntables from the late 70s and early 80s. Something like the PL-518.

What are you planning to buy for speakers and amplification? Whereas there haven't been advances in turntable technology because there hasn't been a market for 20+ years, there actually have been some great advances in speakers and amplification during that time. So I'd recommend you buy new for these pieces. Be aware, the mass market products are generally crap these days (think HTiB stuff--the mass market just doesn't care anymore).

For ~$100, one could pickup a a pair of Micca MB42s or a pair of DA B652s and power them off something like an Indeed TA2021.

Of course you'd still need a phono pre-amp (look at the Art DJ Pre II) and bear in mind, you won't have any input switching with that setup. If want to switch in different inputs, Yamaha has an affordable line of stereo receivers. The R-S201 for $150 will still need a phono pre-amp.

Hi, first time poster here. I'm about to pull the trigger on my first turntable setup, but I feel I need to check in with the helpful people on this sub with the equipment I'm thinking of buying and whether or not its all compatible. Other things like isolation pads for the speakers, better record sleeves, a cork matt, a record brush, gram scale, and a cleaning kit are accounted for. Are any of those things unnecessary?

The following is strictly the hardware. I've been torn between two different set-ups however.

SET-UP 1: Audio Technica AT-LP120 ($299) & the Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers ($120). TOTAL: About $419

SET-UP 2: Audio Technica AT-LP120 ($299), Micca MB42 Passive Speakers ($60), and the Yamaha R-S201BL 2-Channel Stereo Receiver ($130) TOTAL: About $489

I'm also unsure about adding a subwoofer for I don't know if one is essential or just a nice thing to include for the complete package. My eye is on this one: Pioneer SW-8MK2 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer ($160)

Any and all advice is much appreciated.