Planning on upgrading my system

[liam rtr]

My system isn’t amazing, I have an audio technicia turntable and a recent solid-state denon home theater receiver-this is by far the nicest component in my system, and cheap Marantz sp-1200 speakers, but Ive been saving up money and I’m about to do major upgrades, I am planning on getting a new pro-ject debut carbon turntable- I’m not much of a vintage turntable guy, Jbl l100s, Marantz 2270, and Marantz 5220. I have found listings at good prices for all of those items in my area but I wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations about gear.

 

[Soundork]

If I were you, I wouldnt waste my money on the Project Debut Carbon. You might want to take a look at the Denon DP400 if you want new.

I would also give the HK730 a try, before committing to Marantz, especially the 2270. There is an article floating on the Net about how the HK730's little brother the HK330c which is rated at only 20W per channel easily outperformed the 2270.

Also, keep in mind that speaker technology changes the fastest. I wouldnt buy used speakers (but I would buy an used turntable).

 

[Ezd]

Looks like you have a nice listening room.

 

[liam rtr]

If I were you, I wouldnt waste my money on the Project Debut Carbon. You might want to take a look at the Denon DP400 if you want new.

I would also give the HK730 a try, before committing to Marantz, especially the 2270. There is an article floating on the Net about how the HK730's little brother the HK330c which is rated at only 20W per channel easily outperformed the 2270.

Also, keep in mind that speaker technology changes the fastest. I wouldnt buy used speakers (but I would buy an used turntable).

Thanks for your advice, I was starting to want a vintage turntable, what do you recommend with that

 

[liam rtr]

Yeah I like the spa

Looks like you have a nice listening room.

Yes I love the space and the acoustics of the room, I just wanted some new equipment

 

[Nightwisher]

Sweet! Sounds like you know what you want.

 

[imral3]

If I might suggest first better speaker placement? Pull them in from the corners and get 'em off the ground a bit more? Just my two cents - don't spend it all in one place.

 

[liam rtr]

If I might suggest first better speaker placement? Pull them in from the corners and get 'em off the ground a bit more? Just my two cents - don't spend it all in one place.

Thanks for the recommendation

 

[Soundork]

Thanks for your advice, I was starting to want a vintage turntable, what do you recommend with that

Thanks for your reply and thank you for trusting me with regards a turntable recommendation.

Unfortunately, this is very subjective...as everything in audio. I have heard systems about ten times as expensive as mine that do not sound as good to me. My main problem was the lack of the ability to resolve as much detail as my current system does.

Back to turntables, the short answer, the one that most of the AK members would agree with is that a vintage Denon turntable is a very, very good choice. Here is my journey:

I have a Sony PS-T3 model 1979 and was not happy with its looks as it really looks like a plastic toy. I was like you and did not want anything old. The first deck I purchased was a Fluance RT81. Not only did not sound nearly as good being offered with the exactly the same cartridge (AT95E), but it was defective. I exchanged it just to get another defective unit.

The second one was an UTurn...Upon unboxing it, some little tiny cute bugs came out of the table. It sounded like **** even with an upgraded cartridge, the special order acrylic platter was way more wavey than the worst of my records and the worst was that I couldnt place the stylus at the beginning of the record without it skipping the first few grooves. I worked with their excellent customer service, but was offered another crooked platter and upon return (I had to ship it back for adjustments), the stylus was still skipping the first few grooves at the beginning of the record. Oh, and the custom paint...it was a bad roller job.

Then I bought the AKAI BT 500. Beautiful deck and it sounded almost as good as my Sony. Almost didnt cut it. Same cartridge.

Then I bought the Denon 300F. It was amazing, I heard things that I couldnt hear with my Sony, but unlike what it looks like on the pictures, in reality its look was even more plasticy than the Sony.

Reading all sorts of opinions on the Net convinced me that instead of taking my chances with the Debut Carbon, I should look at an used quality deck.

I then found my recently serviced Denon DP 1200 on ebay and bought it for $202 including shipping. Not TOTL, but it sounds much better than the 300F. I would highly recommend that you try any of the older Denon turntables.

My advice is to not be swayed by the name on the plate.

I hope this helps. Let us know what you ended up liking.

Best

Soundork

 

[liam rtr]

Thanks for your reply and thank you for trusting me with regards a turntable recommendation.

Unfortunately, this is very subjective...as everything in audio. I have heard systems about ten times as expensive as mine that do not sound as good to me. My main problem was the lack of the ability to resolve as much detail as my current system does.

Back to turntables, the short answer, the one that most of the AK members would agree with is that a vintage Denon turntable is a very, very good choice. Here is my journey:

I have a Sony PS-T3 model 1979 and was not happy with its looks as it really looks like a plastic toy. I was like you and did not want anything old. The first deck I purchased was a Fluance RT81. Not only did not sound nearly as good being offered with the exactly the same cartridge (AT95E), but it was defective. I exchanged it just to get another defective unit.

The second one was an UTurn...Upon unboxing it, some little tiny cute bugs came out of the table. It sounded like **** even with an upgraded cartridge, the special order acrylic platter was way more wavey than the worst of my records and the worst was that I couldnt place the stylus at the beginning of the record without it skipping the first few grooves. I worked with their excellent customer service, but was offered another crooked platter and upon return (I had to ship it back for adjustments), the stylus was still skipping the first few grooves at the beginning of the record. Oh, and the custom paint...it was a bad roller job.

Then I bought the AKAI BT 500. Beautiful deck and it sounded almost as good as my Sony. Almost didnt cut it. Same cartridge.

Then I bought the Denon 300F. It was amazing, I heard things that I couldnt hear with my Sony, but unlike what it looks like on the pictures, in reality its look was even more plasticy than the Sony.

Reading all sorts of opinions on the Net convinced me that instead of taking my chances with the Debut Carbon, I should look at an used quality deck.

I then found my recently serviced Denon DP 1200 on ebay and bought it for $202 including shipping. Not TOTL, but it sounds much better than the 300F. I would highly recommend that you try any of the older Denon turntables.

My advice is to not be swayed by the name on the plate.

I hope this helps. Let us know what you ended up liking.

Best

Soundork

Thanks very much there is so much value in old stuff for cheap, and old products tend to be built much better

 

[Grenadeslio]

If I might suggest first better speaker placement? Pull them in from the corners and get 'em off the ground a bit more? Just my two cents - don't spend it all in one place.

Was wondering if someone was going to mention this. A bit of rearranging and he might realize he has a much better sounding system than credited. The speakers raised to ear level, not tilted back, moved out away from room boundaries, less toe in just to start.

 

[liam rtr]

Was wondering if someone was going to mention this. A bit of rearranging and he might realize he has a much better sounding system than credited. The speakers raised to ear level, not tilted back, moved out away from room boundaries, less toe in just to start.

Thank you for the recommendation, I will try that

 

[liam rtr]

Thanks for your reply and thank you for trusting me with regards a turntable recommendation.

Unfortunately, this is very subjective...as everything in audio. I have heard systems about ten times as expensive as mine that do not sound as good to me. My main problem was the lack of the ability to resolve as much detail as my current system does.

Back to turntables, the short answer, the one that most of the AK members would agree with is that a vintage Denon turntable is a very, very good choice. Here is my journey:

I have a Sony PS-T3 model 1979 and was not happy with its looks as it really looks like a plastic toy. I was like you and did not want anything old. The first deck I purchased was a Fluance RT81. Not only did not sound nearly as good being offered with the exactly the same cartridge (AT95E), but it was defective. I exchanged it just to get another defective unit.

The second one was an UTurn...Upon unboxing it, some little tiny cute bugs came out of the table. It sounded like **** even with an upgraded cartridge, the special order acrylic platter was way more wavey than the worst of my records and the worst was that I couldnt place the stylus at the beginning of the record without it skipping the first few grooves. I worked with their excellent customer service, but was offered another crooked platter and upon return (I had to ship it back for adjustments), the stylus was still skipping the first few grooves at the beginning of the record. Oh, and the custom paint...it was a bad roller job.

Then I bought the AKAI BT 500. Beautiful deck and it sounded almost as good as my Sony. Almost didnt cut it. Same cartridge.

Then I bought the Denon 300F. It was amazing, I heard things that I couldnt hear with my Sony, but unlike what it looks like on the pictures, in reality its look was even more plasticy than the Sony.

Reading all sorts of opinions on the Net convinced me that instead of taking my chances with the Debut Carbon, I should look at an used quality deck.

I then found my recently serviced Denon DP 1200 on ebay and bought it for $202 including shipping. Not TOTL, but it sounds much better than the 300F. I would highly recommend that you try any of the older Denon turntables.

My advice is to not be swayed by the name on the plate.

I hope this helps. Let us know what you ended up liking.

Best

Soundork

I was looking on eBay and I found a listing for a Marantz 6100 turntable, it is a belt drive, I’m not sure if it is manual or not, I prefer manual, but it is for $245 and it supposed to be a really good turntable, have you heard anything about this particular model

 

[Soundork]

I was looking on eBay and I found a listing for a Marantz 6100 turntable, it is a belt drive, I’m not sure if it is manual or not, I prefer manual, but it is for $245 and it supposed to be a really good turntable, have you heard anything about this particular model

This deck was actually on my radar, because I have heard only good things about it. Here is what I found for you:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/marantz-6100-6200.220434/

I have not auditioned one in person and do not have much to compare it to, but my Denon DP1200. Specwise, the Denon looks like a better option:

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/marantz/6100.shtml
vs
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/denon/dp-1200.shtml

In my humble opinion, the 6100 is more like a collectible item than decks from "non-collectable" brands such as, Denon, Kenwood, Sony, etc, which would perform better even if being a direct drive design.

Hope this helps.

Best

Soundork

 

[liam rtr]

This deck was actually on my radar, because I have heard only good things about it. Here is what I found for you:

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/marantz-6100-6200.220434/

I have not auditioned one in person and do not have much to compare it to, but my Denon DP1200. Specwise, the Denon looks like a better option:

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/marantz/6100.shtml
vs
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/denon/dp-1200.shtml

In my humble opinion, the 6100 is more like a collectible item than decks from "non-collectable" brands such as, Denon, Kenwood, Sony, etc, which would perform better even if being a direct drive design.

Hope this helps.

Best

Soundork

Yeah I’m gonna buy it I negotiated the price down to $220 and it is in perfect condition

 

[liam rtr]

View attachment 1622999 My system isn’t amazing, I have an audio technicia turntable and a recent solid-state denon home theater receiver-this is by far the nicest component in my system, and cheap Marantz sp-1200 speakers, but Ive been saving up money and I’m about to do major upgrades, I am planning on getting a new pro-ject debut carbon turntable- I’m not much of a vintage turntable guy, Jbl l100s, Marantz 2270, and Marantz 5220. I have found listings at good prices for all of those items in my area but I wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations about gear.

Update:I just purchased a Marantz 6100 turntable in great condition for $220, I’m super excited, I decided that the project debut carbon was a waste of money I also purchased a little “nobsound little bear” tube phono pre amp for $65, I know that is pretty cheap but I heard it is pretty decent if you get upgraded tubes and adjust the internal gain

 

[ClusterChuck]

Thanks for the recommendation

+1 on imral3's suggestion. Proper speaker placement often pays higher dividends than new electronics. Move them away from side walls and bring them farther into the room, away from rear walls. Raise 12" to 18" with anything available. Use cinder blocks, foot stools, whatever you have around. 30 minutes experimenting may surprise the heck out of you. The bonus? Experimenting is free.

 

[elliott day]

I was looking on eBay and I found a listing for a Marantz 6100 turntable, it is a belt drive, I’m not sure if it is manual or not, I prefer manual, but it is for $245 and it supposed to be a really good turntable, have you heard anything about this particular model

I would avoid any marantz TT’s I think best bet would be a Sony or a Denon, but tbh, I think the project debut carbon would be a good buy, seems like that and any Rega PL would be a good buy.....
some speakers to consider would be Boston acoustics a60, a70, a100, advents, or EPI a100’s and if you can do a refoam then you could probably score some of these speakers for a great price, marantz 2270 is a classic.... there’s a lot of ways to go from where your at.....

 

[liam rtr]

I would avoid any marantz TT’s I think best bet would be a Sony or a Denon, but tbh, I think the project debut carbon would be a good buy, seems like that and any Rega PL would be a good buy.....
some speakers to consider would be Boston acoustics a60, a70, a100, advents, or EPI a100’s and if you can do a refoam then you could probably score some of these speakers for a great price, marantz 2270 is a classic.... there’s a lot of ways to go from where your at.....

I will look at that, I certainly can do a refoam job, I’ve done it before, however I’ve heard only good things about 70s Marantz turntables, what is it that you don’t like

 

[liam rtr]

+1 on imral3's suggestion. Proper speaker placement often pays higher dividends than new electronics. Move them away from side walls and bring them farther into the room, away from rear walls. Raise 12" to 18" with anything available. Use cinder blocks, foot stools, whatever you have around. 30 minutes experimenting may surprise the heck out of you. The bonus? Experimenting is free.

Alright I’ll have to try that