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What vinyl setup in 2025?

Adraen Posted messages 1008 Registration date   Status Administrator Last intervention   -  
LucienDupont94 Posted messages 3 Status Member -

Hello,

For a year now, I've (re)fallen into vinyl: having to get up to change sides and dealing with the little skips of poorly maintained records, I admit that their playback has a certain effect on me that I particularly enjoy.
Except that, I started by buying records at flea markets and playing them on a somewhat crappy turntable from ALDI that had been gathering dust in one of my cupboards for almost 10 years.
I feel like the records have more to offer me: some of my friends work in vinyl, and when I hear it at their places, I understand what I'm missing.
Unlike them, I don't aspire to have a professional setup, not least because my vinyls are not in perfect condition, but also because the price of a complete setup is quite crazy.

What would your recommendations be in terms of gear? From the turntable to the speakers, including the preamp, the amplifier, etc...
I don't have a specific budget defined as long as it remains "acceptable"

Thank you!


5 answers

  1.
    brucine Posted messages 24980 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 180
     

    Hello,

    This is a very personal question, and therefore difficult to answer.

    There is a trend towards oversized installations that may not be a good idea because the size of the space is insufficient or unsuitable (windows...), because there are neighbors, and the best sound reproduction is achieved at a relatively high percentage of the maximum volume.

    We can also question the need for very high-quality sound reproduction if we are not listening to music with a high level of orchestral complexity (or if the vinyl records are worn out).

    In short, for some, a simple all-in-one turntable from a reputable brand will suffice; for others, any moderately powered Hi-Fi system from a reputable brand is considered necessary. However, very elaborate, powerful, and expensive systems are likely only of interest to discerning audiophiles who have a room arranged like a dedicated auditorium and in the countryside.

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  2. labricole47 Posted messages 12558 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   Ambassadeur 444
     

    Hello..

    The high-end equipment that we used to buy for a fortune can now be found at low prices in recycling shops, such as LBC or consignment stores...

    Everyone had their brand according to their budget... AKAI, Pioneer, or others, serious music lovers preferred tube equipment... For me, to listen to disco, a record player is enough.

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  3. flo88 Posted messages 28494 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 5 171
     

    Hello

    I found a 90s Marantz hi-fi set at a flea market (I go to one or two a year, I'm not a fanatic) for €120... it's in very good condition, works perfectly, it's high-end equipment that fully satisfies me in place of an old Continental Edison.

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  4. glandu Posted messages 25506 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 091
     

    Hello, can we discuss all night? You haven't mentioned what equipment you already have, and you'll need to set a budget.

    Several years ago, I went to buy a set of amplifier and speakers, and I ended up with just the amplifier for €2300 and shielded cables at €20 per meter. So, I kept my 20W Cabasse speakers, my Thorens turntable, and my PC.

    When you try amplifiers and the seller tests by moving up in range, you no longer want to listen to the first ones; there's no comparison, as a photographer with an ear would say.

    I have an Atoll SDA100; it’s only stereo and has internet connectivity via RJ45, HDMI, optical, coaxial, and USB. It weighs 7kg and has 60W.

    "Donkeys change their minds, not fools."
    Remember to mark your message as "resolved" if that’s the case.

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  6. LucienDupont94 Posted messages 3 Status Member
     

    Honestly, to enjoy your records without selling a kidney, avoid the supermarket "all-in-one" turntables. A Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or a Rega Planar 1/2 second-hand, with a decent cartridge (Ortofon 2M Red or Blue), changes everything.

    For amplification, an integrated amplifier with a phono input (Marantz PM6007, Cambridge AXA35, or even a NAD) does the job very well. If you go for an amp without a phono preamp, a small external preamp like the Pro-Ject Phono Box remains affordable. As for speakers, French bookshelf models like Focal Chora or small Elipson provide a warm sound without needing a dedicated room. And take a look at the second-hand market: high-end equipment from the 80s/90s can be found for a song on Leboncoin or at thrift stores.

    Last piece of advice from an old geek: a cleaning kit and a good support for your records will make as much of a difference as a €2000 amplifier. Enjoy the magic of vinyl without breaking the bank!

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