Por: Erick Bonder
From basic to advanced: 4 setups for listening to vinyl records
There's no single set of audio equipment—or setup—that's capable of listening to your vinyl record collection with quality. There are several configurations available for this purpose. In this post, we'll discuss some setups you can create, from the simplest to the most advanced.
If you're just arriving and taking your first steps into the world of vinyl, we recommend reading the following texts to understand everything we're going to talk about here:
– Understand how a record player works ;
– Understand each component of a sound system ;
– How to choose your new turntable ;
– Learn how to assemble a basic vinyl setup that fits your budget .
Below, check out four setups we recommend for enjoying your vinyl records:
Setup 1: turntable with built-in preamp + active speakers
This is the simplest (and most economical) option we recommend, and as such, it's a good option for those just starting out with vinyl records and on a budget. Starting with this, you'll have equipment that can last a long time and be reused in more advanced setups you might want to build later.
In this case, you only need two components: a turntable with a built-in preamplifier (there are new and old options from various brands, they are quite common on the market); and active speakers, that is, speakers that already have internal amplification.
Please note: not just any turntable or speaker will work with this setup. As mentioned, it's important that the equipment meets the specifications above (with built-in preamplifier and amplifier, respectively). These specifications allow us to dispense with a dedicated amplifier, receiver, and preamplifier.
Setup 2: turntable without preamp + dedicated preamp + active speakers
This setup is a step forward in improving the sound quality of your LPs, but it's still a basic setup. Adding a preamp will increase your system's stability, and the audio signal, picked up by the LP's needle and transformed before reaching your speakers, will sound cleaner.
In this second setup option, three components come into play: a turntable without pre-amplification; a dedicated pre-amplifier (which will connect the turntable to the speakers); and a pair of active speakers (with internal amplification).
Once again, it's important that each piece of equipment is specifically configured as described above. If your turntable is already pre-amplified, this system won't work, as you can't connect one pre-amp (which is already built-in) to another. Note: some turntables have a switch to turn off their built-in pre-amp. In this case, they can be connected to the phono input of a dedicated pre-amp. However, if your speakers are passive, without internal amplification, you won't be able to enjoy your LPs using this setup either.
Setup 3: turntable with built-in preamp + amplifier or receiver + passive speakers
With a receiver or amplifier in your system, you'll have greater voltage potential for your audio signal, as well as more control over signal distribution through the speakers. This is a mid-range option, a setup for those willing to invest a little more for better audio quality. It's one of the most popular configurations among LP enthusiasts.
You will need: a turntable with or without internal pre-amplification; a receiver or amplifier (which may or may not have a built-in pre-amp); and passive speakers, without internal amplification.
Pay attention to the following detail: only one of the setup components should have a built-in preamp. If the turntable has a preamp, the receiver doesn't need one (and vice versa). If the turntable already has a preamp and doesn't have a dedicated off switch, it should be connected to the receiver or amplifier's auxiliary input—remember, you shouldn't connect one preamp to another. If it's possible to turn off the turntable's preamp, or if the turntable doesn't have a built-in preamp, then it should be connected to the receiver or amplifier's phono input (i.e., in this case, the receiver or amplifier must have a built-in preamp, which is connected to the phono input). It's also important to note that, in this case, it's important that the speaker is passive, without internal amplification.
Setup 4: turntable without preamp + dedicated preamp + amplifier or receiver + passive speakers
In our opinion, this is the setup that guarantees the highest sound quality, with all components dedicated. With each device handling a specific task, your system gains stability. The turntable captures the sound recorded on the LP, the preamplifier increases the signal power, the amplifier increases the audio voltage and distributes it to the speakers, which reproduce it.
You'll need a turntable without a preamp (or one that can disable its built-in preamp), a dedicated preamp, a receiver or amplifier, and passive speakers. In this case, none of the equipment should have any other built-in components. If the receiver or amplifier has a built-in preamp, the preamp should be connected to the receiver or amplifier's auxiliary input, not the phono input (which would lead to the preamp).
This setup is a bit more expensive, but you can build it gradually. If you're just starting out, go with option 1 or 2 and, over time, purchase new equipment to improve your system. It's worth remembering that the quality of the equipment you buy will determine the sound quality you'll hear.
If you're just arriving and taking your first steps into the world of vinyl, we recommend reading the following texts to understand everything we're going to talk about here:
– Understand how a record player works ;
– Understand each component of a sound system ;
– How to choose your new turntable ;
– Learn how to assemble a basic vinyl setup that fits your budget .
Below, check out four setups we recommend for enjoying your vinyl records:
Setup 1: turntable with built-in preamp + active speakers
This is the simplest (and most economical) option we recommend, and as such, it's a good option for those just starting out with vinyl records and on a budget. Starting with this, you'll have equipment that can last a long time and be reused in more advanced setups you might want to build later.
In this case, you only need two components: a turntable with a built-in preamplifier (there are new and old options from various brands, they are quite common on the market); and active speakers, that is, speakers that already have internal amplification.
Please note: not just any turntable or speaker will work with this setup. As mentioned, it's important that the equipment meets the specifications above (with built-in preamplifier and amplifier, respectively). These specifications allow us to dispense with a dedicated amplifier, receiver, and preamplifier.
Setup 2: turntable without preamp + dedicated preamp + active speakers
This setup is a step forward in improving the sound quality of your LPs, but it's still a basic setup. Adding a preamp will increase your system's stability, and the audio signal, picked up by the LP's needle and transformed before reaching your speakers, will sound cleaner.
In this second setup option, three components come into play: a turntable without pre-amplification; a dedicated pre-amplifier (which will connect the turntable to the speakers); and a pair of active speakers (with internal amplification).
Once again, it's important that each piece of equipment is specifically configured as described above. If your turntable is already pre-amplified, this system won't work, as you can't connect one pre-amp (which is already built-in) to another. Note: some turntables have a switch to turn off their built-in pre-amp. In this case, they can be connected to the phono input of a dedicated pre-amp. However, if your speakers are passive, without internal amplification, you won't be able to enjoy your LPs using this setup either.
Setup 3: turntable with built-in preamp + amplifier or receiver + passive speakers
With a receiver or amplifier in your system, you'll have greater voltage potential for your audio signal, as well as more control over signal distribution through the speakers. This is a mid-range option, a setup for those willing to invest a little more for better audio quality. It's one of the most popular configurations among LP enthusiasts.
You will need: a turntable with or without internal pre-amplification; a receiver or amplifier (which may or may not have a built-in pre-amp); and passive speakers, without internal amplification.
Pay attention to the following detail: only one of the setup components should have a built-in preamp. If the turntable has a preamp, the receiver doesn't need one (and vice versa). If the turntable already has a preamp and doesn't have a dedicated off switch, it should be connected to the receiver or amplifier's auxiliary input—remember, you shouldn't connect one preamp to another. If it's possible to turn off the turntable's preamp, or if the turntable doesn't have a built-in preamp, then it should be connected to the receiver or amplifier's phono input (i.e., in this case, the receiver or amplifier must have a built-in preamp, which is connected to the phono input). It's also important to note that, in this case, it's important that the speaker is passive, without internal amplification.
Setup 4: turntable without preamp + dedicated preamp + amplifier or receiver + passive speakers
In our opinion, this is the setup that guarantees the highest sound quality, with all components dedicated. With each device handling a specific task, your system gains stability. The turntable captures the sound recorded on the LP, the preamplifier increases the signal power, the amplifier increases the audio voltage and distributes it to the speakers, which reproduce it.
You'll need a turntable without a preamp (or one that can disable its built-in preamp), a dedicated preamp, a receiver or amplifier, and passive speakers. In this case, none of the equipment should have any other built-in components. If the receiver or amplifier has a built-in preamp, the preamp should be connected to the receiver or amplifier's auxiliary input, not the phono input (which would lead to the preamp).
This setup is a bit more expensive, but you can build it gradually. If you're just starting out, go with option 1 or 2 and, over time, purchase new equipment to improve your system. It's worth remembering that the quality of the equipment you buy will determine the sound quality you'll hear.