thefence2113 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I have about $600 the wife has agreed to let me spend and I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3fingersdown Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 That's enough to get a decent setup! Scour Craiglist, that's what I did for my setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynflnnry Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Your best bet IMO would probably be the Project Debut Carbon ($399) with a less expensive preamp + a pair of powered speakers Depending on how much wiggle room you have here, you could couple that with a Cambridge Audio 551p preamp + Audio Engine 2 powered speakers for around $700 total Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Your best bet IMO would probably be the Project Debut Carbon ($399) with a less expensive preamp + a pair of powered speakers Depending on how much wiggle room you have here, you could couple that with a Cambridge Audio 551p preamp + Audio Engine 2 powered speakers for about $100 more. All of this brand new for $700? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynflnnry Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 All of this brand new for $700? needledoctor.com! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 That's enough to get a decent setup! Scour Craiglist, that's what I did for my setup.Craigslist in my area has crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamalatapes Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Your best bet IMO would probably be the Project Debut Carbon ($399) with a less expensive preamp + a pair of powered speakers Depending on how much wiggle room you have here, you could couple that with a Cambridge Audio 551p preamp + Audio Engine 2 powered speakers for around $700 total I would recommend something similar to this. I'd grab the TT itself new. The speakers and preamp could most likely be found aftermarket on eBay since you said your Craigslist sucks (which most do) I did the Carbon Debut (new) + USB Phono Box 2(used) + some book shelf Powered Speakers (Audioengine)(new but cheap on eBay) for my apartment set up. But if you're at a house you could probably find some decent towered speakers that look and sound great as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 Is the Debut Carbon worth $100 more than the essential? I think I'm going to go with one or the other, a pro-ject phono box, and audioengine powered speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Share Posted February 13, 2014 So, I took rynflnnry's advice and went with the white Debut Carbon, A2 speakers, and the Cambridge phono preamp. Does anyone have any suggestions for enhancements I can make to this setup affordably? I'd also like to know where I can buy a dustcover for the TT if anyone knows. Thanks everybody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 So, I finally got around to getting everything set up. I got the turntable all put together and adjusted the counter weight and anti-skate weight. As soon as the needle hit the vinyl it shot the tonearm off back toward the arm rest. I readjusted the weight and got it as close to perfect as I could. I may readjust tomorrow. The only problem I'm having now is that when I raise the lever up to pickup the tonearm the it kind of pulls some to the right instead of just raising up in place. Not sure if this is a common problem or even a problem at all. I've also noticed some crackling which I've been told is probably just from some dust. This is my first "real" setup and I'm just hoping for some pointers/stories/advice. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paranoidantroyd Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Your tone arm weight is off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremybentham Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Table's not level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 I considered both of those. I'm not sure how to adjust height. The weight in going to try and fine tune tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuit bored records Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I considered both of those. I'm not sure how to adjust height. The weight in going to try and fine tune tomorrow. Please purchase a scale if you don't already have one. There's no way to know how much VTF you're applying without it. You will ruin your records if not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefence2113 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Please purchase a scale if you don't already have one. There's no way to know how much VTF you're applying without it. You will ruin your records if not. any suggestion on which to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcguirk Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 any suggestion on which to buy?The $15 digital force gauge from Amazon works great. You may be able to find the old school Shure gauge locally, if you've got any nearby hi-if shops catering to old heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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