The cables/wires won’t make a difference as long as they’re not corroded, 14 gauge is more than sufficient.
Great start, the 2m red was my first real cartridge too, you may want to upgrade it down the line though.
Some speakers around $1k that come to mind are the Wharfedale Denton or Evo, JBl L52, Dali Oberon 3, KEF Q3 (the whole Q line goes on sale regularly). Focal and Bowers & Wilkins also have speakers to meet that price point. If you’re willing to go used you can get some great stuff for $1k as well.
Those are nice new spkr suggestions for the budget amount. Buying used will get you into an entirely different range of sound quality. At least take a look at "open box" offers.
I have had very good luck buying used spkrs over the years, usually for around 50-70% of retail + shipping. Audiophiles most typically take very good care of their stuff & are almost over-honest about any defects (or else they get a poor seller review).
Have to toss in ELAC Debut Reference and Revel M16s. Deals are often to be had on these guys. Both extremely well reviewed and fit nicely into your budget. Polk r200s too.
I just picked up a pair of M16s open box last week for 700$ CAD all in.
Speaker upgrade is what will make this great accompanying elements shine... So you should start planning that... Your bottleneck is your speakers... You don't need fancy cables costing three figures and shit... It has no benefit other than benefitting the crooks who sell them.
The most simple and cost-effective thing you can do in this hobby is good speaker placement and listening position. Also, some DIY acoustic absorbers at first reflection points go a long way. Your room and speaker placement are just as important as the gear, if not more. Congrats and enjoy!
Looks like you’re off to a great start, love the Mos Def album. I think you can get some kef bookshelf speakers for around that budget. Might be worth a gander
I don't know what others will say, but I managed to snag some KEF R3 non-metas in the wood finish new on sale for 999. That felt really good, and they sound incredible. So I'd recommend that if you can pull it off. If you're willing to chase down some used speakers and have some patience and happen to live in a fairly populous area you can find some pretty good stuff as well.
Great choices!
In the Ortofon line, the 2m blue is a much better option than the 2m red. However, I'd stick with your choice and then just upgrade the stylus (the red tip to a blue tip) after some time of using the TT and getting over making mistakes.
It really sucks when you learn to use the TT and ruin a stylus because of things like clumsiness or wrong configuration (too much VTF will ruin a stylus quick).
Best of luck! Nice turntable!
I have that amp and used it for quite some time. I think you went a little to budget on the speakers but if you are planning on upgrading them I would sugest CSS Criton 1TD-X kit at $774 (bookshelf) or CSS Criton 2TD-X Tower Kit $1,074.
You can find many reviews online speaking to how these speakers blow anything in their price range away. The Cheap Audio man said he couldn't even have them in his house because everything paled in comparison. I have the 2TD-X Towers in my listening room and they are extremely good. The only downside is you have to build them yourself. It's not hard though, just some glue and straps. Get some cheap room treatment, just a couple of panels at least.
Yeeeeah my impatient ass just wanted to get this thing up and running and figured I could save some cash and appreciate the speaker upgrade when it happens even more, lol. Appreciate the info Ill look into it!
If you add a shot of the whole setup, we may have suggestions on a zero dollar improvement like speaker placement but speakers are likely the first upgrade when the time comes. Also proper TT setup and clean, static-free records is huge.
For speakers I’d check out manufacturers like Kef and Martin Logan, on the used market. You can find some serious value. I bought a pair of ML motion 40 for $700 for the pair new in box on FB marketplace.
Golden Ear Tritons punch above their weight, but you’re not going to find them for less than a $1,000 unless you buy used. I would suggest researching Wharfdale or Klipsch towers that normally go for about $750 a piece, then wait for them to go on sale. Good luck.
I agree with the open box/scratch and dent approach to buying your upgrades. I got a third off a Yamaha integrated amp because it's "silver" and not black. Half off a nice pair of Klipsch floor-standing speakers because there's a scratch on the front of one that's covered up by the speaker grill. Their boxes looked like they'd been to Hell and back, but the speakers are fine. I'm a fan of Crutchfield, which has these open box/scratch and dent specials. There's all kinds of used equipment for sale on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. But it's a crapshoot. What you're buying's already disconnected from a system, so you don't know if it works or how it sounds. It stops working a week after you buy something, unless you can fix it yourself, repair costs could be hard to justify. That being said, I've bought and sold things on Craigslist, and it's worked out. [https://www.crutchfield.com/specials\_category\_4/Home-Audio-Deals-And-Specials.html?fa=1#&nvpair=FFCategory|\[rank11999\]Home%20Speakers](https://www.crutchfield.com/specials_category_4/Home-Audio-Deals-And-Specials.html?fa=1#&nvpair=FFCategory|[rank11999]Home%20Speakers)
Congrats on your new setup. Looks amazing.
I just bought my first hifi setup as well. I have the Yamaha 701 in silver just like yours. Plenty of power and sound is very clean. Paired it with Klipsch RF5000 towers and a new Technics 1500 with 2M Red. I absolutely love it. Records sound so much better on a real turntable. I had a AT-LP60X before with Edifier powered speakers. So glad I upgraded. Have been wanting to do it for decades.
Congrats again and enjoy!
Check Music Direct open box and close out sales daily. I got my Yamaha integrated amp and ELAC tower speakers for much less than listed. I am extremely happy with both.
Klipsch speakers are good and wont break the bank.
As for wires, 14 gauge is good when it's OFC, and banana plugs offer more benefits that having bare wires.
A solid subwoofer would bring your setup to life, as well as a good phono pre amp if your amp doesn't already have one.
lol same. The original plan was to purchase a used 1200 somewhere but I totally lagged and put it on the back burner. Thankfully I waited until this was announced haha. Haven't fired it up yet since Im still waiting on gear but man its a beauty to look at haha.
I’ve always been a fan of Grado carts. Great sound, upgradable path (definitely for the prestige series, maybe for the others too), and handmade in the USA. I’m working with the Prestige Green3 on a Marantz 6100 and it sounds lovely
In addition to what others have said, you could add another source to play music like a cd/dvd player or computer/tablet and add a DAC to convert the digital signal to analog. Sometimes you want to hear the nice system but don’t have the time to keep flipping albums.
Interesting! I have an as801, so now I’m wondering if there’s anything I’m leaving behind, sound quality wise, by using the phono input. Research time!
absolutely. I think the digital inputs on the 801 are the best part about that amp (and I rate it pretty highly). A $150 dollar way to figure it out is to try a Schiit Mani. It doesn't take much to better the phono preamp in the 701/801, in my experience (having owned a 801 for 6 or so years now). The Yamaha's phono input just sounds a bit dull, lifeless, 2D and grey compared to the digital section...to my ears.
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll take a look now. I had heard of shiit when looking at a dac/amp for my computer setup. Sadly, I ended up settling on the jds labs el dac2 combo and I’ve been a little underwhelmed with their performance driving my hifiman aryas. Maybe it’s time to upgrade both setups. Although….im still not sure even the aryas are “it” for me. This hobby is an expensive but fun journey.
The Mani is solid and I speak from experience using it vs the built in phono stage. I’ve ended up with a Rega Fono MM as a match for my table and cart. Otherwise i’d probably stick with the mani until my cart and table were a few levels higher
Ok, cool. I’m gonna check that out. What table and cart do you use? I’ve got a music hall mmf 2.3 with Ortofon blue currently. My table’s probably the weakest link in my overall setup but it’s decent.
Nice. Rega RP6 and Dynavector 10x5 cart here. The Rega has an external power supply and I’m trying to reduce box count so I’ll probably switch to a Technics SL1200GR at some point.
Good luck!
Also, I’ve definitely noticed that I have gravitated more towards listening to streaming through the usb input since I upgraded to this Yamaha. The integrated dac has impressed me! Although, I’ve yet to ever find any music that hits the 3rd of 4th dot on the PCM section…maybe incapable on a streaming service?
I don’t think you’ll find those HD formats on streaming? I’ve purchased a few through HDtracks that will light up those higher sample rate/DSD lights. I wouldn’t spend too much time or money on that personally
First of all: where are your speakers? Stand? Table? They need probably more space between the wall to shine more or if they are on a table get isolation pads. You're welcome.
I just saw a YouTube video for HECO Aurora 300 speakers, wow they should be at the top golf your list under 450.00 a pair they are designed by German engineers the tweeter is fantastic
This looks like my setup I’m currently putting together. 1st official set up but I used to have an old terrible numark, range ttm56 and YamahaHS80m speakers from my producing days. Now it’s a 1200mk7, just got the audiolab 6000a today. I was thinking long about the Yamaha vs audiolab bc I love the look of the Yamaha.
Beautiful Yamaha. Nice speaker wire choice. I'm not familiar with the brand. But if they're 14 gauge, they're most likely stranded copper. 14 gauge Speaker wires will make a difference. We don't want speaker wires with aluminum stranded conductors. They are very noisy. Go oxygen free copper and or silver for the speaker connects insulated silver/copper component cables between the components will make a difference.
Go vintage speakers for under 1k.
ADS brand 1290s? 1230s 910s
Ar 9s
Polk sda series sda 2.3s are awesome if ur set on Polk
Any kef with the grapefruit tweets if u need new
Speaker types remain situational depending on room size equipment and most of all your own ears. I am sure there is going to be a lot of recommendations, just remember that any product may not sound the same in your space on your equipment to your ears as it does to someone else. People offer up their opinions based on personal experience. I would recommend trying to showcase speakers when possible. There are some terrific speaker's for the money in that price range. As for small improvements you could try changing the slip mat materials, maybe an isolation platform, cleaning the vinyl well helps sound quality then replacing sleeves to avoid static charge on your records a bit of acoustic foam with strategic placement. Just recommendations for you to look into if you please. I love that album! Mos Def is a phenomenal artist very creative in his craft.
Definitely a cartridge upgrade. Audio Technica AT VM 500 or 700 series are excellent after you do your speaker upgrade. Clean linear response. Natural bass.
I love those Polk’s as starter speakers; as suggested by others please make sure the tweeters are at ear level. Once you’ve saved up there are tons of great options between $500 and $1000. Rest of your system is solid!!
Mos Def!
Right? That album is legit
One of my favorite albums of that era along with Black star and Rawkus Soundbombing II.
Changed what I thought hip hop could be. Incredible album.
Mos definitely
logic!
If I could get new danger I’d be a happy man. 👍🏻👌🏻
On the list!
I literally just came here to say this.
Oh shit I was just spinning that album earlier today. Hadn’t played it in a while. Great coincidence!
The cables/wires won’t make a difference as long as they’re not corroded, 14 gauge is more than sufficient. Great start, the 2m red was my first real cartridge too, you may want to upgrade it down the line though. Some speakers around $1k that come to mind are the Wharfedale Denton or Evo, JBl L52, Dali Oberon 3, KEF Q3 (the whole Q line goes on sale regularly). Focal and Bowers & Wilkins also have speakers to meet that price point. If you’re willing to go used you can get some great stuff for $1k as well.
Those are nice new spkr suggestions for the budget amount. Buying used will get you into an entirely different range of sound quality. At least take a look at "open box" offers. I have had very good luck buying used spkrs over the years, usually for around 50-70% of retail + shipping. Audiophiles most typically take very good care of their stuff & are almost over-honest about any defects (or else they get a poor seller review).
Have to toss in ELAC Debut Reference and Revel M16s. Deals are often to be had on these guys. Both extremely well reviewed and fit nicely into your budget. Polk r200s too. I just picked up a pair of M16s open box last week for 700$ CAD all in.
Yeah, I bought a used pair of Eric debut references for 400 bucks on craigslist a few years ago. One of my better audio decisions I've ever made.
Thank you so much for the info. Ill be reading up on those options!
Most definitely the KEFs!
I second the Dali Oberon speakers.
Speaker upgrade is what will make this great accompanying elements shine... So you should start planning that... Your bottleneck is your speakers... You don't need fancy cables costing three figures and shit... It has no benefit other than benefitting the crooks who sell them.
Thanks for the advice!
The most simple and cost-effective thing you can do in this hobby is good speaker placement and listening position. Also, some DIY acoustic absorbers at first reflection points go a long way. Your room and speaker placement are just as important as the gear, if not more. Congrats and enjoy!
Got it and thank you!
Looks like you’re off to a great start, love the Mos Def album. I think you can get some kef bookshelf speakers for around that budget. Might be worth a gander
Thank you! Any suggestion on a specific Kef model/spec?
You can find used LS50, Q550 and new Q350, Q150 all for below $1k.
I don't know what others will say, but I managed to snag some KEF R3 non-metas in the wood finish new on sale for 999. That felt really good, and they sound incredible. So I'd recommend that if you can pull it off. If you're willing to chase down some used speakers and have some patience and happen to live in a fairly populous area you can find some pretty good stuff as well.
Great choices! In the Ortofon line, the 2m blue is a much better option than the 2m red. However, I'd stick with your choice and then just upgrade the stylus (the red tip to a blue tip) after some time of using the TT and getting over making mistakes. It really sucks when you learn to use the TT and ruin a stylus because of things like clumsiness or wrong configuration (too much VTF will ruin a stylus quick). Best of luck! Nice turntable!
Thank you so much for the help. And appreciate it!
I have that amp and used it for quite some time. I think you went a little to budget on the speakers but if you are planning on upgrading them I would sugest CSS Criton 1TD-X kit at $774 (bookshelf) or CSS Criton 2TD-X Tower Kit $1,074. You can find many reviews online speaking to how these speakers blow anything in their price range away. The Cheap Audio man said he couldn't even have them in his house because everything paled in comparison. I have the 2TD-X Towers in my listening room and they are extremely good. The only downside is you have to build them yourself. It's not hard though, just some glue and straps. Get some cheap room treatment, just a couple of panels at least.
Yeeeeah my impatient ass just wanted to get this thing up and running and figured I could save some cash and appreciate the speaker upgrade when it happens even more, lol. Appreciate the info Ill look into it!
I have the same Sl-1200 MK7 and use Nagaoka MP-300H. It sounds amazing, look into it. I’m also looking to upgrade my speakers to the KLH Model 5
will do !
Is that Mos Def a sealed OG press or reissue 🤔
Reissue, haha.
Great setup! Work on speaker placement and enjoy it for a long while before even thinking about any equipment upgrades.
If you add a shot of the whole setup, we may have suggestions on a zero dollar improvement like speaker placement but speakers are likely the first upgrade when the time comes. Also proper TT setup and clean, static-free records is huge.
I'll take one when I get home! Thanks
For speakers I’d check out manufacturers like Kef and Martin Logan, on the used market. You can find some serious value. I bought a pair of ML motion 40 for $700 for the pair new in box on FB marketplace.
Golden Ear Tritons punch above their weight, but you’re not going to find them for less than a $1,000 unless you buy used. I would suggest researching Wharfdale or Klipsch towers that normally go for about $750 a piece, then wait for them to go on sale. Good luck.
Aim for JBL L52 Classic down the road. Used pairs go for $750 in the classifieds
I agree with the open box/scratch and dent approach to buying your upgrades. I got a third off a Yamaha integrated amp because it's "silver" and not black. Half off a nice pair of Klipsch floor-standing speakers because there's a scratch on the front of one that's covered up by the speaker grill. Their boxes looked like they'd been to Hell and back, but the speakers are fine. I'm a fan of Crutchfield, which has these open box/scratch and dent specials. There's all kinds of used equipment for sale on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. But it's a crapshoot. What you're buying's already disconnected from a system, so you don't know if it works or how it sounds. It stops working a week after you buy something, unless you can fix it yourself, repair costs could be hard to justify. That being said, I've bought and sold things on Craigslist, and it's worked out. [https://www.crutchfield.com/specials\_category\_4/Home-Audio-Deals-And-Specials.html?fa=1#&nvpair=FFCategory|\[rank11999\]Home%20Speakers](https://www.crutchfield.com/specials_category_4/Home-Audio-Deals-And-Specials.html?fa=1#&nvpair=FFCategory|[rank11999]Home%20Speakers)
Congrats on your new setup. Looks amazing. I just bought my first hifi setup as well. I have the Yamaha 701 in silver just like yours. Plenty of power and sound is very clean. Paired it with Klipsch RF5000 towers and a new Technics 1500 with 2M Red. I absolutely love it. Records sound so much better on a real turntable. I had a AT-LP60X before with Edifier powered speakers. So glad I upgraded. Have been wanting to do it for decades. Congrats again and enjoy!
Hell yeah! Congrats on your set up as well. Cant wait to get this thing up and running. So you're not having any issues with 2M red?
Great album, and sweet set up. I would look at the used market. You might find a nice pair of JBL-100’s or Pioneer HPM’s in that range. 🍻cheers!
Black On Both Sides probably my most favorite Hip Hop album. Thank you! I'll check those out.
Check Music Direct open box and close out sales daily. I got my Yamaha integrated amp and ELAC tower speakers for much less than listed. I am extremely happy with both.
Black on both sides such a great album
Klipsch speakers are good and wont break the bank. As for wires, 14 gauge is good when it's OFC, and banana plugs offer more benefits that having bare wires. A solid subwoofer would bring your setup to life, as well as a good phono pre amp if your amp doesn't already have one.
nice stuff. great lp.
Oh yeah, very nice. 👍
How's the Supreme version of the technics? I was drooling 🤤 over that during the drop.
lol same. The original plan was to purchase a used 1200 somewhere but I totally lagged and put it on the back burner. Thankfully I waited until this was announced haha. Haven't fired it up yet since Im still waiting on gear but man its a beauty to look at haha.
I’m not a fan of the 2m red
Any specific reason? What cartridge should I lookout for?
I’ve heard quite a few and it was one of the worst I’ve heard. I have a 1200MK2 and use a Concorde pro s with the nude STY20 and I really like it.
Gotcha. Thanks for the info!
Goldring e series outperform 2m IMO
I’ve always been a fan of Grado carts. Great sound, upgradable path (definitely for the prestige series, maybe for the others too), and handmade in the USA. I’m working with the Prestige Green3 on a Marantz 6100 and it sounds lovely
In addition to what others have said, you could add another source to play music like a cd/dvd player or computer/tablet and add a DAC to convert the digital signal to analog. Sometimes you want to hear the nice system but don’t have the time to keep flipping albums.
Yamaha is not receiver...
Meant Amplifier* lol
Speakers and a new phono preamp. The phono input is the worst part about the Yamaha, imo
Interesting! I have an as801, so now I’m wondering if there’s anything I’m leaving behind, sound quality wise, by using the phono input. Research time!
absolutely. I think the digital inputs on the 801 are the best part about that amp (and I rate it pretty highly). A $150 dollar way to figure it out is to try a Schiit Mani. It doesn't take much to better the phono preamp in the 701/801, in my experience (having owned a 801 for 6 or so years now). The Yamaha's phono input just sounds a bit dull, lifeless, 2D and grey compared to the digital section...to my ears.
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll take a look now. I had heard of shiit when looking at a dac/amp for my computer setup. Sadly, I ended up settling on the jds labs el dac2 combo and I’ve been a little underwhelmed with their performance driving my hifiman aryas. Maybe it’s time to upgrade both setups. Although….im still not sure even the aryas are “it” for me. This hobby is an expensive but fun journey.
The Mani is solid and I speak from experience using it vs the built in phono stage. I’ve ended up with a Rega Fono MM as a match for my table and cart. Otherwise i’d probably stick with the mani until my cart and table were a few levels higher
Ok, cool. I’m gonna check that out. What table and cart do you use? I’ve got a music hall mmf 2.3 with Ortofon blue currently. My table’s probably the weakest link in my overall setup but it’s decent.
Nice. Rega RP6 and Dynavector 10x5 cart here. The Rega has an external power supply and I’m trying to reduce box count so I’ll probably switch to a Technics SL1200GR at some point. Good luck!
Right on! Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned!
Also, I’ve definitely noticed that I have gravitated more towards listening to streaming through the usb input since I upgraded to this Yamaha. The integrated dac has impressed me! Although, I’ve yet to ever find any music that hits the 3rd of 4th dot on the PCM section…maybe incapable on a streaming service?
I don’t think you’ll find those HD formats on streaming? I’ve purchased a few through HDtracks that will light up those higher sample rate/DSD lights. I wouldn’t spend too much time or money on that personally
First of all: where are your speakers? Stand? Table? They need probably more space between the wall to shine more or if they are on a table get isolation pads. You're welcome.
I just saw a YouTube video for HECO Aurora 300 speakers, wow they should be at the top golf your list under 450.00 a pair they are designed by German engineers the tweeter is fantastic
This looks like my setup I’m currently putting together. 1st official set up but I used to have an old terrible numark, range ttm56 and YamahaHS80m speakers from my producing days. Now it’s a 1200mk7, just got the audiolab 6000a today. I was thinking long about the Yamaha vs audiolab bc I love the look of the Yamaha.
I was able to find Wharfdale Lintons with stands for $600. You would be surprised what you can find on the used market with some diligence
Beautiful Yamaha. Nice speaker wire choice. I'm not familiar with the brand. But if they're 14 gauge, they're most likely stranded copper. 14 gauge Speaker wires will make a difference. We don't want speaker wires with aluminum stranded conductors. They are very noisy. Go oxygen free copper and or silver for the speaker connects insulated silver/copper component cables between the components will make a difference.
Go vintage speakers for under 1k. ADS brand 1290s? 1230s 910s Ar 9s Polk sda series sda 2.3s are awesome if ur set on Polk Any kef with the grapefruit tweets if u need new
Speaker types remain situational depending on room size equipment and most of all your own ears. I am sure there is going to be a lot of recommendations, just remember that any product may not sound the same in your space on your equipment to your ears as it does to someone else. People offer up their opinions based on personal experience. I would recommend trying to showcase speakers when possible. There are some terrific speaker's for the money in that price range. As for small improvements you could try changing the slip mat materials, maybe an isolation platform, cleaning the vinyl well helps sound quality then replacing sleeves to avoid static charge on your records a bit of acoustic foam with strategic placement. Just recommendations for you to look into if you please. I love that album! Mos Def is a phenomenal artist very creative in his craft.
Wharfedale elysian
Definitely a cartridge upgrade. Audio Technica AT VM 500 or 700 series are excellent after you do your speaker upgrade. Clean linear response. Natural bass.
I love those Polk’s as starter speakers; as suggested by others please make sure the tweeters are at ear level. Once you’ve saved up there are tons of great options between $500 and $1000. Rest of your system is solid!!