The vinyl thread (v2.0)

basically to amplify the sound from the turntable, you need a phono preamp. some receivers have them built in, but not that many models these days. standalone preamps usually do the job better than a receiver with it built in.

this is the one i use

Pro-Ject Audio Systems

So i would still need a receiver but i may not need a preamp if its built into the receiver?

yup, you definitely need a receiver and if it doesn't have a phono input, then that's when you need a preamp. then you would have the preamp between the turntable and the receiver.

You can run a table through just a receiver or pre-amp, but using both gives you the best sound possible. Also, you can find old or new receivers down the line (something I did), new or old and will allow you to customize your sound or add mixers/equalizers.

I was running my table through just a pre-amp and speakers until i was able to find a receiver, it was not as loud as i'd like, then I found an old receiver in a thrift shop and sounds much better. Right now I'm on the look out for probably a better receiver + an eq.

And we are all noobs at one point.

Thanks guys.

these are the 2 things im looking at that would be in my price range when i actually do this

Pro-Ject Essential Turntable in Black
Pro-Ject Phono Box II Phono Preamp

i would probably try to find a receiver via thrift store or craigslist or something

as far as speakers, any recommendations?

also another thing i was curious about is if say i got this

Pro-Ject Phono Box USB Phono Preamp

would i be able to essentially use my iMac as a receiver/speaker combo?

if not is there a way to do so?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ianmonsta

Thanks guys.

these are the 2 things im looking at that would be in my price range when i actually do this

Pro-Ject Essential Turntable in Black
Pro-Ject Phono Box II Phono Preamp

i would probably try to find a receiver via thrift store or craigslist or something

as far as speakers, any recommendations?

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Like everything else, it depends on how much your willing to spend. Of course, me being poor I went the vintage route. A lot of people on CL are giving great speakers away for little to no money.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ianmonsta

Thanks guys.

these are the 2 things im looking at that would be in my price range when i actually do this

Pro-Ject Essential Turntable in Black
Pro-Ject Phono Box II Phono Preamp

i would probably try to find a receiver via thrift store or craigslist or something

as far as speakers, any recommendations?

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i'm using sonys i picked up from a goodwill

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ianmonsta

also another thing i was curious about is if say i got this

Pro-Ject Phono Box USB Phono Preamp

would i be able to essentially use my iMac as a receiver/speaker combo?

if not is there a way to do so?

---

yes, that box would let you plug into the iMac to listen and record.

i use this box from creative for that purpose -
Amazon.com: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with THX SB1240: Electronics

from the turntable, to the preamp, to the creative xfi, to my lappy

here's an example of how it all sounds together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XYsc...el_video_title

the pro-ject usb preamp is basically my creative and preamp built into 1 device

Thanks guys, i think im starting to get a grasp on this. Based on some quick googling it seems rather easy to run the turntable through the mac and use garageband as basically the receiver i guess. im not interested in the recording aspect, but listening through my iMac does seem interesting to me.

i think i like the vintage route as well because of the price but im pretty sure ill drop the money on one of those pro-ject turntables, unless i come across a great deal on a old technics.

one of my pioneers is for sale, but my coworker has first dibs right now. i'll let you know if he still wants it. here's a vid from that table

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbj7p5HUDl0&feature=channel_video_titl e