Hello guys!

[micgra202]

Hey guys Im new here! Looking to gain some knowledge.

I am looking for advice on setting up my first turntable rig. Let me give you the basics. I want a decent system, one that I can grow from but is still quality. I plan on putting it in a room that is 20'W by 20'L by 14' H in feet.
I plan on using a Pro ject Debut carbon. Pro-Ject Audio Systems
I have not picked out a pre amp and am not sure if I will need one with the other equipment.
For speakers I want to use 4 Mackie mr5mk3 and the mrmk3 woofer. Studio Monitor ? Mackie MRmk3 Series | Studio and Home Recording
and this to connect the speakers - i think it has a phono preamp in it? Mackie - Big Knob
Any recommendations on the equipment?
Also the room is set up to have surround sound I was wondering if I could use the mounts in the ceilings for the 4 speakers? I read something about sound degrading if the cord is to long.
Thanks guys!

[Mr Peabody]

First off, welcome to AR. The Big Knob does have a phono amp built in. However, the Mackie speakers are for mixing and I'm assuming near field, not what you'd want to use in a room as large as yours.

Then, what are you going to be doing, I would not hang speakers up high for sitting and listening purpose, maybe if that was going to be a recreation room or something. Most "audio enthusiasts" use one set of speakers and place your listening chair in front of them in sort of a triangle set up if you will.

Surround sound is not just having several speakers, it requires a receiver or preamp made to process or decode surround sound and direct the info to correct speaker based on what is encoded on the disc.

There are so many options, let us know your budget and how you plan to listen. The Pro-ject is a good entry table. As an example you could plug it into this:
Yamaha R-S700 Stereo receiver at Crutchfield.com

and use something like this: jbl studio at Crutchfield.com

I've heard these and they put out a lot of bass for small drivers, the horns sound great. The receiver also has a sub output if you need more bass.

As mentioned though options are endless. You could even do a surround receiver for both music and movies.

[micgra202]

Okay I will not hang the speakers, actually I think that ill put the set up in a smaller room. About 14' by 12' by 10'.


Ill do the pair of speakers then and add a subwoofer later on. Im looking to spend around 800 on speakers and not sure on a receiver.

Why are receivers so expensive?

Also do tube amps make a difference with vinyl, Ive seen mixed feedback.

Thank you!

[micgra202]

what about these?

Polk Audio TSx330T (Black) Floor-standing speaker at Crutchfield.com

[Mr Peabody]

I like Polk well enough, the model you link to is 90dB which would be easy to drive and ported to the front which helps with placement in a small room or next to furniture. You might also look at Wharfedale at Music Direct | Audiophile Hardware, Vinyl Records and Analog Gear | (800) 449-8333 that would be in your price range.

In most instances with receivers or speakers you get what you pay for in regards to your question on price. If you didn't need a built in tuner for radio you could get an integrated amp from NAD or Cambridge Audio, maybe Marantz for less than the receiver I showed you. Another avenue would be to buy used, find you one of those vintage Sansui, Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz or Harman Kardon, I really like the Harmon Kardon stereo receivers. Used Adcom separates are the deal as well, would perform better than most I've mentioned so far and cheap used for what you get.

[Mr Peabody]

I forgot your tube question, probably not the way to go on a tight budget. You would have to listen to tubes to get a feel for them. In a budget situation solid state would most likely provide the best clarity and detail. In general tubes can sound warmer and give a life like presentation, more of a sense of performer in the room. As you go up in price you can find tube gear that can be as dynamic as some solid state but tube gear varies in sound just as solid state does. It's very easy to find tube gear that's warm and romantic sounding. For Rock or energetic music warm may not be the direction to go.

If you have stereo shops in your area you should go out and listen to everything you can find. If not, both Crutchfield and musicdirect offer return policy if not happy as most online retailers do, just check the policy for any return costs. Pretty sure the two mentioned have none.

[micgra202]

Honest option, what do you think about these products?

Yamaha R-S500 Stereo receiver at Crutchfield.com

Polk Audio TSx330T (Black) Floor-standing speaker at Crutchfield.com

[Mr Peabody]

I think the Yamaha would be a nice cornerstone of a system for you. Yamaha's strength, in my opinion, will provide a nice natural midrange. Keeping to a budget I think the Polk would be alright. You might also consider Cambridge Audio S70 Floor-standing speaker (Noir) at Crutchfield.com People say good things about the Cambridge speakers. Read the customer reviews and what they are using the speakers with. Also if you don't need a tuner look at these, you can go with a Yamaha integrated and save $100.00, there's also the NAD and Onkyo. I feel the Yamaha would sound more natural but the Onkyo does have a digital to analog converter if you were planning to play computer music files; integrated amplifier at Crutchfield.com

[blackraven]

If your budget for speakers are $800, take a look at the monitor audio RX6's here-

Saturday Audio

Also look at these Focal's 714's and Wharfedales 10.4's here=

Towers at Music Direct

[Unworthy]

Here's another vote for an integrated amp, don't really know why anyone would want a radio tuner in new equipment. I recently retired my old Pioneer SX-1010 in favor of a more reliable Cambridge Audio 651A. Cambridge Audio 651A (Silver) Stereo integrated amplifier with USB input at Crutchfield.com I chose it mostly for its power and "streaming-ready" feature set.

I also considered the NAD C 326BEE
NAD C 326BEE Stereo integrated amplifier at Crutchfield.com

...and Marantz PM8004 Marantz PM8004 Stereo integrated amplifier at Crutchfield.com

...but the Yamaha A-S500 seems like a smoking deal. Yamaha A-S500 Stereo integrated amplifier at Crutchfield.com

That new little NAD D 3020 sure is a cool choice, too.

You might want to take a closer look at the Wharfdale floor-standing speakers, some of them have gotten great reviews and it sounds like there are a couple of choices at least close to your budget.

[micgra202]

Thanks for the advice!

I think Im going to go with Yamaha A-S500 Stereo integrated amplifier at Crutchfield.com

and the Polk Audio TSx330T (Black) Floor-standing speaker at Crutchfield.com

Im not 100% on the speakers though

also is this all that I should need?

[Mr Peabody]

The Yamaha has the input for your turntable, a dedicated subwoofer output in case you want to add one down the road, it and speakers is all you need. Looks like a nice amp.

[blackraven]

Don't skimp on the speakers or you will regret it. You truly get what you pay for with speakers. I would rather see you go with a nice pair of bookshelf speakers that will sound much better than those Polks. Take a look at the PSB B6's and Monitor Audio Rx2's at saturday audio. I have a pair and they sound awesome. Also consider the Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's and Focal 806V's both at Music Direct. All these speakers will blow the Polks out of the water.