Post Your "Budgetphile" Vinyl Setups!

I have a few 'Budget' systems in the house.

My current basement system :

Pre : Adcom 565 MkII ($150)
Amp : Pioneer SX-D5000 (Traded it for a case of 12 Ga. #4 Pheasant Loads)
Turntable : Dual 1019 ($110)
Tape : [2] Harmon Kardon TD-4200 ($45)
CD : Teac ($15)
Tuner : Sony ST-80
Speakers : A pair of giant old Magnavox robbed from a Console ($10)

 

i find it interesting that many consider $1200 setup’s to be budget. My early 80’s setup looks and plays fantastic. Could probably get it for $200 total

 

I love the simplicity of this system. TT->Receiver-> Speakers. Enjoy! My dad has the same original AR turntable. Although I think he bought his around 1969. He still has it, same Shure cartridge that came on it. He said the original magazine ad for the turntable said that with the spring suspension you can hit the plinth with a hammer during playback and still not make the record skip!

 

I call this my vintage setup but it probably qualifies as budget as well. Paid $200 for the Marantz (before restoration and faceplate), $200 for the Yamaha TT, and the original Advents were given to me by my father in 1991.

 

I'll try to post pics later, but my family room rig is:
JVC QL7 table $200
Modded Shure M35x cartridge with VL stylus $90
Sansui AU717 $25
Genesis II speakers $10

I play this setup the most by far. It sounds great.
I swap speakers with some Magnepan MGIIC that a buddy gave me.

 

That's because by comparison many on the SH forums are spending 10's of thousands (I know I feel humbled when I see some of the specs of the systems on the wider forums).

 

Oh no, more feet!

 

I started down the vinyl path with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with an Ortofon Bronze that I upgraded with an acrylic platter and Speedbox, both of which I bought second-hand here on the SH Forums. I ran it through a Croft Phono Integrated with a pair of second-hand Golden Ear Triton 7 speakers that I picked up used. All in, I think I'd spent $2000

 

H.H. Scott 299a or H.H. Scott 299c. I have both and can't decide which I like better.
Technics SL-3200 with a Shure M97xE. I bought it new in 1978. I also have the Stanton 680EE that came with the turntable.
Mirage FRx 5 speakers with a FRx 8 subwoofer.

 

Do Pawn Shops usual carry turntables

 

Did you pick up that receiver in Europe by any chance? I’ve never seen one stateside. I almost purchased one in the U.K., but the voltage differences scared me off.

 

Wow, this came out pretty crappy (the photo, I mean). Is there a zoom option when viewing pics?

 

Seeing the Saucerful cover brings everything into focus.

 

Sony LX-350H
Denon AVR-3300
Nakamichi LX-3
Shure V15

 

Some do, some don't. I've seen them a few times, but I'm guessing we'll start to see more of the low-end modern tables once people lose interest in the hobby.

 

Or...

We will see more turntables in shops due to people upgrading to something better?

 

You've never seen a vintage Marantz receiver in the US? I could go on Craigslist right now in Phoenix and there would be at least 5 70's Marantz receivers for sale. They sold a lot of them and they were well made so they are still around. FWIW I added the black faceplate myself from a vendor in Michigan.

 

Oh, I see now. I was referring to the rare black model.

 

How does the PM5005 compare to the vintage Marantz? I am thinking about the PM5005 or a Rega Brio to replace a vintage Pioneer Sx828 but unsure if these newer units will improve on the warmth of a classic receiver.

 

I guess Ill just post this again.

Rega RP1 with Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge
Cyrus 2 amplifier
System Fidelity SF5030 tower speakers
Custom made HQ speaker cables

Only ended up costing about 800$ as well, if you know what to buy, vintage can save your pockets somewhat.

Edit: And dont worry, Ive moved the speakers foward.

 

I had a recapped SX-780 and found it rather forward/lean. I also had at the same time a 100% original SX-780, which was indeed warmer than the recapped unit, but it was also much more dull and thick. The so-called warmth is most likely the aging capacitors being out of spec.

I replaced both of the SX-780's with a used Rega Brio-R, and it was substantially better than either in every respect. And, yes, it has a warmer, more fulsome character than many solid state amps, and is also very lively and quite detailed, and the phono stage is exceptional. Considering the previous generation Brio-R regularly goes for around $500 on the used market, they are a real bargain.

 

Real Swedish Ikea furniture!

 

You know it! ;^)

 

I might give one a go then. Thanks for the input.

 

Added this to my system recently as a second turntable:



JVC QL-F4 w/Ortofon FF15E. I have it running into my Rega Mini phono stage. Need to make some loading plugs for the cartridge as capacitance is spec'd at 400pf.