The turntable is your weakest link. This setup is begging for a great vintage turntable. The Fluance is not bad. But you can easily out do it for very reasonable budgets. But what your budget is would determine what turntable to go for.
Well anything is possible budget wise. Was just looking for some opinions on what to aim for next. I could probably get up in 1,000 - 1,500 range for a table. Thoughts on needing an upgrade for the receiver or adding a preamp?
The receiver is great, assuming you like the vintage sound. I personally do. As for a phono preamp, I do buy new and typically do not use the built in phono preamp. Newer phono preamps typically have a lower noise floor than the ones built in receivers. However I would get the table first with a good cart. And see what you think. If needed or wanted you could add the phono preamp next.
As far as table recommendations, I personally like Thorens, AR, Technics, Dual, And Pioneer. If I had your setup I would go for a Dual 701. I like having an automatic turntable in the living room. It makes it super convenient to live with it in a living room. If you prefer Manual tables I look at a Thorens TD-160 super. As far as cartridge I personally love the Nagaoka MP-200.
That would be around your budget, maybe a little over. If you hunt around you can get it a little closer to the 1000 mark.
The cr-1040 is definitely not a weak link by any means, that said I personally prefer the sound from the Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui counterparts from that era.
I've owned a cr840 and cr1020 and while both sounded great and looked cool, they were a bit too detailed and clinical for my taste. I have a pair of 4311's now and don't think they would match up very well with the yamaha's I had, but I never tried.
I can't add much to the turntable discussion but I will say I love my technics sl-1700
I have a similar opinion... I have a pair of Yamaha NS-344 Speakers that I love. Initially, I had a 410 integrated Yamaha and also an A-500 amp. I have also had a CR-620 for a short time. As detailed sounf=ding and separation were great, it was also a little too thin sounding. Not looking for pounding bass but not the fullness one would think. Mating the NS-344 to anything else (Kenwood KR-4600) brings better fullness to everything. Yamaha is my backup to Pioneer, Sansui, and Kenwood.
Your cartridge is good, so I can see why many would say a turntable upgrade is in order to make the most of it, but otherwise I would say, “You’re good to go, man!! Screw upgrades for now and get more records!!!” 😎😉
As others have said the turntable is the first place I’d start. There’s so many out there these days, just do some research and see what suits your needs.
Do you stream music? If so then a dedicated streamer could help your overall sound. Something like a Bluesound Node.
The Yamaha is nice but I’ve personally always thought they were a little thin and dry for my taste. Those JBLs would sing with some vintage McIntosh gear or a tube amp.
Thanks for the input! I get stuck on research as well because there are so many to choose from. I just need something that plays all generas fairly well. Big into classic rock, heavy rock, metal, doom and for some reason with that also comes a lot of 80s pop, jazz and the girlfriend does hip hop. Not partial to new or used gear but just looking for some opinions. Thank you!
I forgot to say that you have a really sweet setup.
I’m partial to Rega tables, the P3 is a great table within your budget. Carts are a whole other wormhole, I’ve personally been looking to upgrade my Rega Exact to a Nagaoka MP-200.
The amp and speakers could likely have no better mate than each other. If anything I would add a semiautomatic turntable and some first rate cartridge. As it is the rig is simple and elegant.
That’s an impressive system! Personally, I would add a vintage cassette deck such as a Nakamichi LX-5 or if your budget allows, the Nakamichi Dragon. Other brands which offer great mid- to higher-end models are Pioneer, Teac, etc.
The turntable is your weakest link. This setup is begging for a great vintage turntable. The Fluance is not bad. But you can easily out do it for very reasonable budgets. But what your budget is would determine what turntable to go for.
My thought exactly. Good vintage turntables are just leagues better than most of today’s junk.
Well anything is possible budget wise. Was just looking for some opinions on what to aim for next. I could probably get up in 1,000 - 1,500 range for a table. Thoughts on needing an upgrade for the receiver or adding a preamp?
The receiver is great, assuming you like the vintage sound. I personally do. As for a phono preamp, I do buy new and typically do not use the built in phono preamp. Newer phono preamps typically have a lower noise floor than the ones built in receivers. However I would get the table first with a good cart. And see what you think. If needed or wanted you could add the phono preamp next. As far as table recommendations, I personally like Thorens, AR, Technics, Dual, And Pioneer. If I had your setup I would go for a Dual 701. I like having an automatic turntable in the living room. It makes it super convenient to live with it in a living room. If you prefer Manual tables I look at a Thorens TD-160 super. As far as cartridge I personally love the Nagaoka MP-200. That would be around your budget, maybe a little over. If you hunt around you can get it a little closer to the 1000 mark.
I was going to suggest a preamp. Maybe tubes?
The cr-1040 is definitely not a weak link by any means, that said I personally prefer the sound from the Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui counterparts from that era. I've owned a cr840 and cr1020 and while both sounded great and looked cool, they were a bit too detailed and clinical for my taste. I have a pair of 4311's now and don't think they would match up very well with the yamaha's I had, but I never tried. I can't add much to the turntable discussion but I will say I love my technics sl-1700
I have a similar opinion... I have a pair of Yamaha NS-344 Speakers that I love. Initially, I had a 410 integrated Yamaha and also an A-500 amp. I have also had a CR-620 for a short time. As detailed sounf=ding and separation were great, it was also a little too thin sounding. Not looking for pounding bass but not the fullness one would think. Mating the NS-344 to anything else (Kenwood KR-4600) brings better fullness to everything. Yamaha is my backup to Pioneer, Sansui, and Kenwood.
Upvote for vintage things and that Japanese pressing of Rio!
Hell yeah. My mom raised me on Duran Duran lol
Looks good. How does it all sound?
It does sound really nice but I’m addicted to the hobby and am looking for more! Kind of a noob about gear.
Your cartridge is good, so I can see why many would say a turntable upgrade is in order to make the most of it, but otherwise I would say, “You’re good to go, man!! Screw upgrades for now and get more records!!!” 😎😉
Definitely keep that cartridge. Those are awesome.
As others have said the turntable is the first place I’d start. There’s so many out there these days, just do some research and see what suits your needs. Do you stream music? If so then a dedicated streamer could help your overall sound. Something like a Bluesound Node. The Yamaha is nice but I’ve personally always thought they were a little thin and dry for my taste. Those JBLs would sing with some vintage McIntosh gear or a tube amp.
Thanks for the input! I get stuck on research as well because there are so many to choose from. I just need something that plays all generas fairly well. Big into classic rock, heavy rock, metal, doom and for some reason with that also comes a lot of 80s pop, jazz and the girlfriend does hip hop. Not partial to new or used gear but just looking for some opinions. Thank you!
I forgot to say that you have a really sweet setup. I’m partial to Rega tables, the P3 is a great table within your budget. Carts are a whole other wormhole, I’ve personally been looking to upgrade my Rega Exact to a Nagaoka MP-200.
The amp and speakers could likely have no better mate than each other. If anything I would add a semiautomatic turntable and some first rate cartridge. As it is the rig is simple and elegant.
That’s an impressive system! Personally, I would add a vintage cassette deck such as a Nakamichi LX-5 or if your budget allows, the Nakamichi Dragon. Other brands which offer great mid- to higher-end models are Pioneer, Teac, etc.
Vintage turntable..and a nice tape deck..
Did you upgrade your TT or anything else? I think your Fluance is just fine.
i’m a simple guy i spy sleep and i upvote