Have a BHK Pre
Thinking about adding a record player
Don’t know much at all
I do know I can’t just plug it into my BHK pre
So what’s easiest way to go about this?
Thank you
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Assuming you plan to get a record player that has standard record player outputs with the RIAA curve, you would need a phono preamp. Staying in the PS Audio ecosystem, I would recommend the Stellar Phono Preamp. This would sit between the turntable and your BHK preamp and would convert the signal from your record player into something that the BHK Pre would be able to pass on.
If you don’t want to stick int he PSA ecosystem, there are many different record player preamps on the market. I don’t have any experience with any of them, though. Perhaps others can comment on their recommendations along these lines.
Good luck!
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I have both the Nwave Phono Converter and tge Stellar Phono Preamp both sound great. I use the A/D in the NPC to record my records along with Vinyl Studio Pro and the results are excellent!
If you don’t give a hard price limit you are going to get recommendations all over the map. If you don’t have an existing LP collection your going down a rabbit hole.
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Thank you all.
Wasn’t sure once I got a phono stage/amp
If I would still go through the BHK pre
Stay uniformed and avoid this rabbit hole. Invest in a better Pre and DAC. If anyone tries to help you into the rabbit hole run away from them. Stranger Danger!!!
Look away!
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Funny
I get it
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What is your budget? What is your commitment to vinyl and budget for purchasing LPs. Should you still go for an integrated amp such as the Pass Labs INT-60 you’ll need a separate phono stage. If you want to sidestep a separate phono stage I’d recommend either the Luxman 509X (class A/B) or the Luxman 590AXII both have reasonably good phono stages that can accommodate MM or MC cartridges. I have the 509X, phono input is the latest Rega P8 turntable with an Apheta 3 MC cartridge. I believe the 509X is better suited for your Vandersteen Treo CTs than the 590AXII. The latter may be underpowered for the speakers. Should you jump into vinyl I send you some duplicate jazz LPs I have. Just let me know.
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Only caveat with most integrated amps is that unless they have both pre-outs and amp ins you can’t use Vandersteen subs.
This is just like what a crack dealer says.
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The Luxman Integrateds, both 509X and 590AXII, do as I just used that feature last week to demo a preamplifier. I can’t speak to the Pass Labs integrateds regarding that capability, but others may chime in.
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thanks all-
im not likely gonna go down this path esp if I get the INT-60 but was day dreaming at work today after hearing a friend preach how great his vinyl experience has been.
I realized I had no idea how to do this if I wanted to start.
Posing such questions to this group brings out answers with more richness than just earning on google
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Vinyl is uncomfortable, requires a lot of accessories and experience for the plate, mat, cartridge and arm alignment, adjustment. It implies washing machines and tools to keep clean the records. It’s not for lazy people because you have to respect rituals, before, during and after listening to each album.
But it’s absolutely magical and reminds me the emotion of my youth!
I confess I rarely spin records after my digital “conversion” last year (here on the forum some culprits) but when I occasionally do, oh man… I feel the music, I’m in contact with the musical performance. Before coming back after an hour or two with my fingers on the iPad for the rest of the evening/week/month.
And I have always tons of LPs in front of me, in my room… to attest that it is a MUSIC room! Just looking at them it’s a pleasure. Pure fetish? Maybe!
I feel to really own an album (and I can remind the cover for years) if it’s physical, when I download it as a file… I forgive it, it’s a totally different thing!
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I agree and like you I don’t play them as much as I use to but even after selective culling over the years there are still over 2000+ sitting in my Music Room to look at and go through including most of the first ones I bought over 55 years ago. They represent the stages in our lives through the music we enjoyed at various points. They will stay with me for my children and grandchildren to decide their fate. When the new Music Room addition is finally done at the house in South Carolina and we consolidate from two houses to one some of the equipment will have to go but the albums and CD’s will stay. They represent something different than equipment which comes and goes.
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I am doing exactly the opposite. 200 go into archive, 1800+ are being sold. 500 went over the last winter holiday.
I thought about keeping them and letting others decide what to do with them after I am gone and decided it will just be another burden for them to deal with. My hobby is not their hobby, at least not the analog. I am going to clean up my mess as much as I can before I go.
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While the two boys have shown no interest our daughter and son-in-law do dabble in vinyl as much as they can in their “starter” home with a 3 year old running around. I have yet due to his age had a chance to expose him so it’s to early to gauge if he has any interest. My wife who also grew up with and appreciates the medium comments periodically on the fact that we don’t spin vinyl like we did so I will do it more in the new setting to see if she still feels the same. So I still have time to see how it all plays out with the option of following your lead if there is no solid interest but it will not be a pleasant task. Plus I think I’m a bit older than you and when I was growing up vinyl and AM radio were your choices.
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Amen!
As many members already know, I bought over 1000s LPs during those terrible lockdown days (we live in Bergamo, the first city where covid exploded after Whuan). My son and I tried to fight the fear for what was happening outside our windows just thanks to music and those albums, hours and hours together playing music in the basement.
Now he owns 5 guitars and is spending his life (literally night and day) playing rock, and I… well… I became an audiophile!
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I think the requirements for vinyl are:
- A good local record store (or 10)
- Time and patience
- A stupid amount of cash compared to digital
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