Basic Turntable Setup

So, finally you decided to build your very first turntable setup and wanted to quickly start digging crates - but you are in Manila and you don't know where to source the equipment, that's a huge problem! When I started out with Vinyl I have two big, BIG problems: 1) Money and 2) Where to buy the equipment and records. That's why I started Vinyl Grimes!

Getting into record-collection-hobby can burn a big hole in your pocket. The more expensive the equipment, the more sonic enjoyment you will get - to me this is very true. But you don't need those expensive turntables and amplifiers if you want to start spinning now, you only need to be smart (read reviews) and patient (waiting for used equipment to be put on sale on some forums) and with that I want to share my very first turntable setup!

Before we go any further this article is not intended for DJ setup, I will talk about turntable setup for plainly spinning records, and not for scratching.

You can start googling what a turntable and get to know the parts and it's function to give you a good background, I won't talk about all those stuff here because they are already available in the internet like A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Turntable which they discussed the anatomy of turntable in full detail.

So, here's my guide to starting your analog journey, the smart way...

The Equipments:

You'll need these basic equipments to start Spinning:

• Turntable
• Amplifier
• Speakers

 In my setup I am using:

Equipment	Brand	Price in Amazon
Turntable	Audio Technica ATLP60	$110
Amplifier	Lepai 2020A+	$22
Phono Stage	Pyle Pro Phono Pre-Amp PP444	$14
Speakers	A-Audio Genesis

Connection:

1. Connect Turntable using L/R interconnects to Phono-Stage INPUT
2. Connect Phono Stage OUTPUT to AMP's L/F Input
3. Connect Speakers to AMP
4. Done!!

I used the prices in Amazon just to give a base idea on how much each gears cost at present time. Right there you would compute that this setup is more or less 5.3k only without speakers! And if you decide to buy your equipment in Amazon, please also consider the shipping fee from US to Manila, Philippines because it is not damn cheap.

The Turntable

I highly recommend Audio Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable System. This is what I am using right now in my system and it delivers the performance I need. It's fully automatic so you don't have to worry about placing the needle in the record, just push the start button and it will start spinning and tone arm will move automatically. It has 2 speeds - 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, it can be switched by the button on the left side. Since this is fully automatic, there is a switch for the size of the records that you want to play, AT-LP60 only have a switch for 12" and 7" record, for 10" maybe you have to override and manually place the stylus, i am not sure I have not tried it yet.

Quick check on the basic features of AT-LP60:

• Fully automatic operation with two speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
• Professional aluminum platter
• Included cables connect to your stereo or powered speakers
• Integral Dual Magnet™ phono cartridge with replaceable stylus
• Switchable built-in pre-amplifier with line-level RCA output cables

The dust cover is very thin but it's not a problem to me, I usually take it off when I plan to spin for hours. Coming out of the box, the AT-LP60 was already built I mean the tone arm and cartridge and stylus was already in place, you only need to put the platter and the slip mat, it's very easy to assemble. I love things that are not complicated. AT-LP60 comes in built in phono pre-amp so if you can easily plug this turntable to your home theater system. This the most easiest way to add turntable in your home theater system.

How about the sound quality? The sonic part can be debatable, but for a turntable system under $100 - this little machine will ass-kick any turntable system at the same price range and even on those that are in $200 range. The sound performance is just incredible, I will not trade this to the overpriced-looks-like-a-suitcase-turntable that is being sold here in Manila Philippines between Php 6,000 to Php 10,000 not even to any used-japanese-surplus-turntables.

The Amplifier

Lepai LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier that's the full brand name of Lepai 2020A+. Lepai 2020A+ is a china-made mini amp that has a very big reputation when it comes to sound quality. There's a ton of review out there and best way to convince you is to go to youtube and do a search on "Lepai 2020" and watch the video reviews, you'll be amazed.

Lepai 2020A+ Mini Amp does not have Phono Input that's why we need a phono pre-amp (see below) OR as I mentioned earlier AT-LP60 does come with built in phono pre-amp so you can directly plug AT-LP60 to Lepai 2020A+! And with this baby, you are not limited to using the turntable as a source because Lepai have a 3.5mm input at the back where you can plug in your mobile phone, iPad, iPod or any DAP. This mini amp can bridge the old and new technologies. Selling at dirt cheap from Php 2000 to 3000 here in Manila you cannot go wrong with this amp plus you have the liberty to adjust the type of speakers you want to use, this baby can power almost any speakers.

The Phono Pre-Amp

I am using PYLE-PRO PP444 Ultra Compact Phono Turntable Preamp to convert the low signal of the turntable to line level signal that the amplifier can handle. In my setup this is completely optional but having a separate pre-amp to be used than the built in pre-amp of AT-LP60 might have some gain plus the fact that PYLE PRO is very cheap I wouldn't make any second guess in adding it to my system.

Pyle PP444 have a good reviews as well, the unit was small, well built, cheap, and it get's the job done.

The Speaker

I am using A-Audio Genesis Bookshelf Speakers. If you haven't heard about this speakers before well this is speakers are proudly pinoy made by Mr. Anthony of Paranaque, he's been doing a lot of high end speakers but when he started the Genesis series way back in 2012 it's very very cheap, i got mine for only 3,000 Pesos for the pair and this pair are for keeps. You can find a lot of information for this speakers at pinoydvd.

You will not believe me when I say that A-Audio Genesis will put to shame the Wharfdale and Mordant Short speakers or any other speakers on 10k - 15k price range.

The Conclusion

With this combo - Audio Technical AT-LP60 + Pyple Pro P444 + Lepai2020 + A-Audio BS = sonic bliss without hurting your budget. There's a lot of combination you can do but the main point is that you have to follow the simple formula of Turntable + AMP + Speaker to have a basic setup. You can also check the local surplus shops or online shops that sells second hand equipment, that can work and will also give you a low cost setup to start with - BUT.... using second hand equipment is something I am not going to recommend for starters because you don't know when it will breakdown and it did now you have to worry about how to fix it. With brand new equipment you just have to unbox them and plug them together and start enjoying the music. And again, I've seen those portable vinyl player that looks like a suitcase, they maybe brand new, and they may even sell for less than $100, but it sounds very cheap.

As any other hobby, you have to start right. If you have less budget, try to save and be smart on purchasing your gears. If you settle for cheap alternatives, you might get turned off because you didn't like the sound and you might stick to your mp3 player.

Now where can you scout for the equipment here in Manila, Philippines? There are two forums that I can recommend, they are Pinoydvd and WiredState both have a good list of "For Sale" items, new and used. People there are very friendly so don't be shy to ask questions. You can also like Vinyl Grimes' Facebook Page I sometimes post items there that I am willing to sell.

Vinyl Records in the Philippines are very hard to come by, and if they do it's sometimes expensive and that's what makes Crate Digging in the Philippines more exciting.