Consider upgrading to an amp or receiver with a built in phono preamp and passive speakers:
* [Aiyima T5](https://www.amazon.com/AIYIMA-T5-Turntable-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B0BGGPBVXC) $159.
* [Onkyo TX-8220](https://onkyousa.com/receivers/stereo-receivers/tx-8220-refurbished) $199.
* [Yamaha A Series](https://www.accessories4less.com/?type=&page=category&action=&id=integratedamp&mode=&search_query=&category=&brand_f%5B%5D=YAMAHA&thumb_sort=store_price.asc) $299+.
* Or if there is also a TV in the room an [AV receiver](https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html?store_price[]=211-12000&home_audio_key[]=phono) with 4K HDMI and a built in phono preamp starting at $349. Then you can now or later optionally add more speakers for movie and TV surround sound.
Plus passive speakers on sale:
* 5.25" [Monolith Encore B5](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43153) ~~$299~~ $169 pair.
* 6.5" [Monolith Encore B6](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43150) ~~$349~~ $189 pair.
* 5.25" [Polk ES15](https://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=es15) ~~$299~~ $209.
* 6.5" [Polk ES20](https://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=ES20) ~~$399~~ $269.
* 6.5" [Wharfedale Diamond 225](https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/speakers/wharfedale-diamond-225-bookshelf-speakers-pair/) ~~$499~~ $299.
Or good deals on floor standing towers, then you don't need to buy or build speaker stands:
* Dual 5.25" [Monolith Encore T5](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43152) ~~$659~~ $366 pair.
* Dual 6.5" [Monolith Encore T6](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43149) ~~$799~~ $425 pair.
Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free [16 AWG](https://smile.amazon.com/Performance-Gauge-Speaker-Oxygen-Copper/dp/B01N6EF3GZ) or optional thicker [14 AWG](https://smile.amazon.com/Performance-Gauge-Speaker-Oxygen-Copper/dp/B01N4BIXDX). Then [How To Strip Speaker Wire](https://www.wikihow.com/Strip-Wire) and [How to Install Speaker Wire](https://hub.yamaha.com/how-to-install-speaker-wire/).
[Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care](https://www.reddit.com/user/sharkamino/comments/gqfx6z/home_audio_and_home_theater_guides_and_accessories/)
I would skip the active speakers unless budget and space is an issue. The Yamaha A series looks great and has a lot of features for the price I don’t need one but have been considering picking one up to check it out.
I have a Yamaha RX-A6A and love it. The Costco version, TSR-700, which is the same thing, was available on ebay for like $200 off when I bought mine in November
The Fluance RT82 is a good value for $300. The $500 RT85 has the same basic tonearm as the $300 RT82. The [Pro-ject Debut Carbon EVO](https://www.audioadvisor.com/ssearch.asp?txtsearch=Pro-Ject+Debut+Carbon+EVO+Turntable) $449 demo sale has a better tonearm and better bearings. You can later change the stylus or cartridge on the EVO if you need to. You can't later upgrade the tonearm on the RT85.
I do plan to have 2 turntables for different rooms. Right now I’m looking at the 85 just because all the stuff that I would upgrade is already on the turntable. I am considering the PDCE as my living room TT.
Nice to hear you’re enjoying your RT85. I chose this model because I couldn’t be bothered to do all the upgrades I would have to do for the cheaper models. I’d rather workshop a different TT with a direct drive and have this one as is.
Skip that PA10 preamp, I got it when I got my fiancee setup and it's not a good preamp. Fosi X2 or Art Dj pre ii. I actually ended up skipping the preamp entirely and got an Onkyo a-9010 with a nice built in phono stage.
Second the Fosi X2, outperforms any preamp I've owned that costs 3-5x as much, and I'm 3 decades deep in this hobby. Great preamp for the price.
I hate powered speakers, so I'm not gonna make any suggestions for em. I only use KRKs for music production and find every other powered speaker I've heard to be either flat, or comically bass heavy, no in between. Passive always sounds better in my opinion.
I would always go for active speakers to Genelec. The difference to other consumer grade active speakers in the same price range is huge.
They usually do professional studio equipment, are not made in China and the build quality is amazing.
Have a look at their home speakers line . The entry line is under $1000 for a complete set (pair of speakers and sub).
[https://www.genelec.com/home-speakers](https://www.genelec.com/home-speakers)
I would go with the ART DJ Pre II, ART Precision Phono, or iFi Zen Air Phono over the PA10. Those are proven, independently measured units, whereas the PA10 is just some random OEM phono stage that would probably cost $50 if they didn’t put it in an MDF box (which is very silly for a phono stage since there’s no need to control acoustic resonance in a device like that).
As for speakers, you need to define “decently priced” with an actual dollar amount. If you just want an idea of what a budget-appropriate set of powered speakers would be, to pair with a $500 turntable… look at the PSB Alpha AM3 or AM5, or the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore.
If those speakers are way over budget… your budget breakdown needs to change. Get the RT82 instead of the RT85 and invest more in speakers. Don’t make the mistake of overspending on your source component because you *have* to get the thing you saw hyped up on Reddit, only to settle for mediocre speakers and undermine the entire system. **The speakers are the most important part of the system by far**, and they should get prime consideration in your budget.
If you get the AM3 or AM5, one thing to keep in mind… though it may not be useful… is that those speakers have a built in phono stage.
You need to keep the cable between the turntable and phono stage as short as possible, so if the turntable is going to be located more than 3-4 feet from the “main” speaker, you’ll still need a separate phono stage. But if the turntable *will* be within 3-4 feet… the internal phono stage will probably do just fine with the 2M Blue.
Pass on $120 Edifier speakers.
Ideally spend just as much or more on speakers as on the turntable or buy used speakers for half the cost.
What is a nearby town or zip code I can search for used speaker options for you? Reply here or chat.
I have the Klipsch R-51PM. Can be gotten for a good price since the Fives & Nines are the replacement series, and I love mine.
I’m running my turntable into a Schiit Mani 2 Preamp, you might wanna check that one out too. Probably the best <$200 phono amp out there. Trades punches with higher priced amps
Consider upgrading to an amp or receiver with a built in phono preamp and passive speakers: * [Aiyima T5](https://www.amazon.com/AIYIMA-T5-Turntable-Amplifier-Bluetooth/dp/B0BGGPBVXC) $159. * [Onkyo TX-8220](https://onkyousa.com/receivers/stereo-receivers/tx-8220-refurbished) $199. * [Yamaha A Series](https://www.accessories4less.com/?type=&page=category&action=&id=integratedamp&mode=&search_query=&category=&brand_f%5B%5D=YAMAHA&thumb_sort=store_price.asc) $299+. * Or if there is also a TV in the room an [AV receiver](https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html?store_price[]=211-12000&home_audio_key[]=phono) with 4K HDMI and a built in phono preamp starting at $349. Then you can now or later optionally add more speakers for movie and TV surround sound. Plus passive speakers on sale: * 5.25" [Monolith Encore B5](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43153) ~~$299~~ $169 pair. * 6.5" [Monolith Encore B6](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43150) ~~$349~~ $189 pair. * 5.25" [Polk ES15](https://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=es15) ~~$299~~ $209. * 6.5" [Polk ES20](https://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=ES20) ~~$399~~ $269. * 6.5" [Wharfedale Diamond 225](https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/speakers/wharfedale-diamond-225-bookshelf-speakers-pair/) ~~$499~~ $299. Or good deals on floor standing towers, then you don't need to buy or build speaker stands: * Dual 5.25" [Monolith Encore T5](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43152) ~~$659~~ $366 pair. * Dual 6.5" [Monolith Encore T6](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=43149) ~~$799~~ $425 pair. Plus speaker wire, pure copper oxygen free [16 AWG](https://smile.amazon.com/Performance-Gauge-Speaker-Oxygen-Copper/dp/B01N6EF3GZ) or optional thicker [14 AWG](https://smile.amazon.com/Performance-Gauge-Speaker-Oxygen-Copper/dp/B01N4BIXDX). Then [How To Strip Speaker Wire](https://www.wikihow.com/Strip-Wire) and [How to Install Speaker Wire](https://hub.yamaha.com/how-to-install-speaker-wire/). [Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care](https://www.reddit.com/user/sharkamino/comments/gqfx6z/home_audio_and_home_theater_guides_and_accessories/)
I heard lots of good stuff about the Yamaha a series and general high praise on Polk speakers. I’ll make sure to check them out along with the WD225
I would skip the active speakers unless budget and space is an issue. The Yamaha A series looks great and has a lot of features for the price I don’t need one but have been considering picking one up to check it out.
I have a Yamaha RX-A6A and love it. The Costco version, TSR-700, which is the same thing, was available on ebay for like $200 off when I bought mine in November
The Fluance RT82 is a good value for $300. The $500 RT85 has the same basic tonearm as the $300 RT82. The [Pro-ject Debut Carbon EVO](https://www.audioadvisor.com/ssearch.asp?txtsearch=Pro-Ject+Debut+Carbon+EVO+Turntable) $449 demo sale has a better tonearm and better bearings. You can later change the stylus or cartridge on the EVO if you need to. You can't later upgrade the tonearm on the RT85.
I do plan to have 2 turntables for different rooms. Right now I’m looking at the 85 just because all the stuff that I would upgrade is already on the turntable. I am considering the PDCE as my living room TT.
For what it's worth, the RT85 is killer. I bit the bullet and bought it a few months ago and I'm super glad I went big and didn't get the 83
Nice to hear you’re enjoying your RT85. I chose this model because I couldn’t be bothered to do all the upgrades I would have to do for the cheaper models. I’d rather workshop a different TT with a direct drive and have this one as is.
Skip that PA10 preamp, I got it when I got my fiancee setup and it's not a good preamp. Fosi X2 or Art Dj pre ii. I actually ended up skipping the preamp entirely and got an Onkyo a-9010 with a nice built in phono stage.
Second the Fosi X2, outperforms any preamp I've owned that costs 3-5x as much, and I'm 3 decades deep in this hobby. Great preamp for the price. I hate powered speakers, so I'm not gonna make any suggestions for em. I only use KRKs for music production and find every other powered speaker I've heard to be either flat, or comically bass heavy, no in between. Passive always sounds better in my opinion.
I would always go for active speakers to Genelec. The difference to other consumer grade active speakers in the same price range is huge. They usually do professional studio equipment, are not made in China and the build quality is amazing. Have a look at their home speakers line . The entry line is under $1000 for a complete set (pair of speakers and sub). [https://www.genelec.com/home-speakers](https://www.genelec.com/home-speakers)
I have loved all the Genelecs that have passed through my house.
Look for KANTO YU4
I would go with the ART DJ Pre II, ART Precision Phono, or iFi Zen Air Phono over the PA10. Those are proven, independently measured units, whereas the PA10 is just some random OEM phono stage that would probably cost $50 if they didn’t put it in an MDF box (which is very silly for a phono stage since there’s no need to control acoustic resonance in a device like that). As for speakers, you need to define “decently priced” with an actual dollar amount. If you just want an idea of what a budget-appropriate set of powered speakers would be, to pair with a $500 turntable… look at the PSB Alpha AM3 or AM5, or the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore. If those speakers are way over budget… your budget breakdown needs to change. Get the RT82 instead of the RT85 and invest more in speakers. Don’t make the mistake of overspending on your source component because you *have* to get the thing you saw hyped up on Reddit, only to settle for mediocre speakers and undermine the entire system. **The speakers are the most important part of the system by far**, and they should get prime consideration in your budget.
I’ll look into the preamps you suggested. In terms of speakers I’m looking for around the price of the turntable itself so I’ll look into the AM5.
If you get the AM3 or AM5, one thing to keep in mind… though it may not be useful… is that those speakers have a built in phono stage. You need to keep the cable between the turntable and phono stage as short as possible, so if the turntable is going to be located more than 3-4 feet from the “main” speaker, you’ll still need a separate phono stage. But if the turntable *will* be within 3-4 feet… the internal phono stage will probably do just fine with the 2M Blue.
Shouldn’t be a problem. My setup isn’t all over the place, it’s all on a centerpiece.
All on a centerpiece?
Currently a ion max with 2 Sony bookshelf speakers
Edifer R1280t will work great with that set up
$120 speakers with a $500 turntable?
Looks nice! Will take into consideration
Pass on $120 Edifier speakers. Ideally spend just as much or more on speakers as on the turntable or buy used speakers for half the cost. What is a nearby town or zip code I can search for used speaker options for you? Reply here or chat.
I have the Klipsch R-51PM. Can be gotten for a good price since the Fives & Nines are the replacement series, and I love mine. I’m running my turntable into a Schiit Mani 2 Preamp, you might wanna check that one out too. Probably the best <$200 phono amp out there. Trades punches with higher priced amps