Hey everyone - lurking for a while but finally moved into a new place and am investing in a rig of my own! Considering a pair of KLH Model 3 speakers - the only speakers in this price range I've heard in person. I love the look and will be listening to mostly classic rock, jazz, soul Marantz PM8006 Technics 1200 MK7 (bought this cheap in France off a friend who was moving back to the USA) My budget is around $5k and I already have the TT. Going to need a cartridge and a streamer to get Spotify running as well. Before I pull the trigger on the 3's and the Marantz is there anything else I should consider? Thanks in advance
Hi there, welcome to the forum. I think you should go for it, you've heard the speakers yourself so that counts for a lot, more than anything I could say by way of a recommendation, although I would suggest having a bit more fun and making the effort to hear a couple of others such as JBL l82's, or Mission 770, or Wharfedales, not because I think they are better, but just to confirm and clarify your thinking. The review of the KLHs in Stereophile is fun, as are the speakers, though he does suggest removing the grills with bass heavy music. I too like the look, and am sure the 70w per channel Marantz 8006 will suit just fine. Wii streamers are getting a lot of love on the forum and are worth checking out as are Audio Tecnica carts to start with. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
So 5k more for a cart and a streamer? Any cart and streamer that would cost 5k would sound amazing. You can’t go wrong. I’d recommend buying an external phono and there is no reason to spend a lot on a streamer unless it has an amazing DAC. Even then, $1,000 gets you set up nicely. The DAC and phono in the marantz isn’t terrible, you could spend $1,000 on a cart, $100 on a WiiM mini and save a lot of money.
Ortofon 2m black, Project Tube Box S, and the Eversolo DA-6 or 8 for streaming and ripping all CDs/music downloads to an internal SSD card that you install. 800 for the black, 500, the Tube BoxS and 2k for the Eversolo A8 equals 3300 US. It's what I have and it checks all the boxes. But with a the 2m Black and a good phono pre amp you can really get a feel for vinyl goodness. The other stuff is optional and streaming will rarely sound as good. And forget Spotify, go Tidal or Qobuz. They sound better on good equipment.
Yes, 5k for everything except the TT. Thanks everyone for the replies! I ended up in a showroom yesterday demo'ing JBL L82 Classics (for a deal, floor model) with a Moon 250i v2 amp which really packs a punch. Best combo I've heard yet. Pretttttty close to pulling the trigger on that. Wiim and Audio Tecnica for a cart sounds like the best path forward as well! So excited.
Glad you are getting out and about to hear with your own ears, best way to quiet those 1st time buyer fears. I mentioned the JBLs because a friend has them and loves them paired with Rega Elex amp. Got to be with the orange grills though, brilliant look.
ok so $5k budget for everything except the turntable. KLH model 5 -$2500 NAD C3050 integrated amp - $1400 Ortofon 2m black LVB -$1100 total = $5k upgrade cables later
I do like these kind of budget threads, its fun to hypothetical on the OP's preferences Wharfedale Aura 2 speakers = $2500 Rotel RA1572-MK2 = $2300 audio-technica VM-530EN = $200 total = $5k
JBL 4329P powered studio monitors can do just about everything. = $3500 Pro-Ject tube box DS2 = $800 Audio-technica AT-33ptg II = $600 total = $4900 $100 for cables
You might try to listen to some Revival Audio Atalante 3's. They are manufactured in France, I would think they have a presence in Paris and would be competitively priced.
I think I’d want a subwoofer too. Added a sub with speakers that go down to 42Hz, and it’s been a great improvement to me.
I would make sure to listen to lots of different speakers before pulling the trigger. Reviews are great, but it's obviously your ears and room that matter. Do you have a phono preamp?
I'd go with the Marantz 2245 all kinds of functionality including a built in phono stage, should be able to get a good one for under 1500 bucks. KLH Model 5's $2500 $1000 extra for buying albums.
Do you already have a vinyl collection ? If not sell the TT and get a CDP. Vinyl is imperfect, uber expensive, and really inconvenient. The amp is nice; I'd pair it with Klipsch floorstanders.
What’s great about this forum is when I saw you were the last reply to this thread, I knew with 100% certainty this is what you had posted. Don’t listen to him, OP. Vinyl is awesome. All formats of recorded music playback are imperfect.
The KLH model 3 ~ 1500 for a pair- you need to consider the Philharmonic BMR monitors ~ 1600 / pair. Everyone who heard them at the AXPONA audio show loved them. These are special speakers. The Marantz is excellent, so is the TT. Get an Ortofon 2M bronze and call it a day.
Vinyl rig or the whole setup for five grand? There is a difference. For me "vinyl rig" means TT, tonerarm, cartridge and phono phono preamp. Everything else is extra. And yes, you can get a decent "vinyl rig" for $5K.
