New to the AudioPhile World, and need help bad!!!!

BigGorilla

BigGorilla

Audiophyte
Hello, and thank you for your help in advance!!

I have a Qinpu A3 Integrated Amplifier, a Technics Turntable and that is it... I need to finish up my setup and I have no idea what I need!!

First of all, I know that I need some speakers, but the majority of the ones that I have seen have amps already built in, and I don't want to connect anything else to the speakers and amp, just the turntable...

What are some great speaker sets for a dining room for around $350 - $500 and do I need anything else?

Any help would be much appreciated!
 
E

English210

Audioholic
The integrated amp is your control center, so to get sound, all you'll need is speakers. The problem with recommendations on speakers is that everyone 'hears' differently, and what one person loves another person hates. $300-500 can get you some really nice speakers, although the decision making will take time. Step one is determine what you need physically - do they have to fit in a certain place, things like that, and then go to a few stores, preferably with some CD's that you're familiar with, (most stores won't have turntables). Time invested on your part listening is repaid in satisfaction after the purchase.

There are a lot of Internet Direct speaker makers as well, most of whom offer in-home trials of 30-45 days. That depends on your comfort level with ordering something you can't hear first.

Just to be sure, do you know what kind of hook ups the amplifier has for speakers? Does it look like two bare wires from each speaker attaches to screw terminals, or does the amp have single 'holes' where you'd plug something in?
 
BigGorilla

BigGorilla

Audiophyte
Thanks so much English! What an awesome, quick reply! Yes, the integrated amp has "holes" for the speakers. Here it is on Amazon where you can see the pictures:

Amazon.com: Qinpu A3 Integrated Amplifier: Electronics

From what I read and saw, it is going to be great, but again, I know that the speakers are super important!

I will see what I can do in regards to speakers, and thanks again for your help!!!
 
BigGorilla

BigGorilla

Audiophyte
Thanks English!

Thanks for the quick reply! the integrated Amp has "holes" for the speakers, not screws, but assume that I can add those on to any speakers if they have the "bare wires".

I know that I need to get great speakers, and that sounds great about the "home trial" what are some brands that have a good reputation?
 
BigGorilla

BigGorilla

Audiophyte
Also, the back has like 6 holes or something (2 for R, 2 for L) an Input and an Output. Do I need to get a Sub with the 2 speakers for this AMP and put it in the Output, is that what it is for??
 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
Before you start searching for speakers, there are two things you must take care of. One will be inexpensive and the other, not so much.

For your turntable, you need something called a phono preamp. You probably don't have to spend more than $100 to get one. Search on Amazon or Needle Doctor. One that may work for you is this for $74.

Is your integrated amp this? Qinpu - A3 - Integrated & Headphone Amplifier-Audio Advisor If so, this amp produces 8 watts per channel. I think you'll have a major problem driving any normal speaker with this very low powered amp. It is more suitable for powering headphones than speakers. If you can return it, and replace it with something that produces 50 to 100 watts per channel, I would do that.

And while you're doing that, look for an integrated amp that already has a phono preamp built in. Then you won't need a separate phono preamp.
 
Last edited:
zieglj01

zieglj01

Audioholic Spartan
I agree with Swerd, I would look for a more powerful amp.
 
B

bikemig

Audioholic Chief
I'll second the TX 8050. It is a very competent stereo receiver and it has digital inputs which will be helpful if you decide to digitize your music, play music via an ipod, or stream music.
 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
Thanks for posting that. The Onkyo recevier is a great price and has the phono preamp built-in.

After I made my earlier post, I figured the OP would next ask for amp suggestions. So I spent a few minutes looking for something suitable, and nothing came close to that Onkyo's price.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
For what it's worth, a new in box Sherwood RX-4109 goes for about $100 and has a built-in phono preamp.

I'v put it's little brother , the 4105, (same, but without phono preamp) in a few friends systems and it would surpeise you as how good it is for the price. Some have been running for quite a few years so far.

Of course, it not tiny, doesn't have tubes, and lacks te kewl factor, but if sound is your goal, its worth a shot.

But, if I were looking for a headphone amp, that Quinpu would be a nice alternative.
 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
The other approach is to find some high sensitivity speakers and a phono stage like Swerd suggested. The OP is not the only person that uses low power tube amps with high efficiency speakers.
And that's why I cannot recommend any speakers for the OP. These flea-sized amplifiers are severely underpowered. (OK, I'll be fair, this amp is 8.5 watts. That's housefly-sized. Flea-sized amps are 2.5 watts.) I don't believe they can drive any decent sounding speaker properly, even at low volumes. I read Amazon owner reviews that they were used as headphone amps, or to drive small passive computer desktop speakers. They cannot be expected to drive hifi speakers properly where listeners are more than 2 or 3 feet away from the speakers.

What's more, this so-called tube amp is a hybrid. Those small 6n3 tubes are not power output tubes. Reading more closely on Amazon, I saw that these amps use solid state power output devices and use the tubes in the pre-amp section. So when driven into clipping, this hybrid amp will clip like a cheap solid state amp. It will sound awful, and may damage tweeters.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
And that's why I cannot recommend any speakers for the OP. These flea-sized amplifiers are severely underpowered. (OK, I'll be fair, this amp is 8.5 watts. That's housefly-sized. Flea-sized amps are 2.5 watts.) I don't believe they can drive any decent sounding speaker properly, even at low volumes. I read Amazon owner reviews that they were used as headphone amps, or to drive small passive computer desktop speakers. They cannot be expected to drive hifi speakers properly where listeners are more than 2 or 3 feet away from the speakers.

What's more, this so-called tube amp is a hybrid. Those small 6n3 tubes are not power output tubes. Reading more closely on Amazon, I saw that these amps use solid state power output devices and use the tubes in the pre-amp section. So when driven into clipping, this hybrid amp will clip like a cheap solid state amp. It will sound awful, and may damage tweeters.
Based on what you just said, option A is the best plan. :)
 
BigGorilla

BigGorilla

Audiophyte
Swerd, thanks for the input, and so I have sent back that Quinpu mini Amp as suggested!

So I want something that is going to be cool looking as well as functional. Am I just going to have to spend a fortune to get tubes and some good looking/sounding speakers? I don't really want a tuner because this is the only room I want this in, and not going to be "streaming music" or connecting anything else to it, just the record player.

Is there a used section or anything that I can do to get some awesome stuff for cheap?
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Swerd, thanks for the input, and so I have sent back that Quinpu mini Amp as suggested!

So I want something that is going to be cool looking as well as functional. Am I just going to have to spend a fortune to get tubes and some good looking/sounding speakers? I don't really want a tuner because this is the only room I want this in, and not going to be "streaming music" or connecting anything else to it, just the record player.

Is there a used section or anything that I can do to get some awesome stuff for cheap?

Dumb question..have you googled for used audio stores located near you? You may be surprised to find a few. All you need is an integrated amp equipped with a phono stage.
 
BigGorilla

BigGorilla

Audiophyte
Not a dumb question at all... and No, I haven't. I hate and don't really have time to go out and actually do any "shopping" for ANYthing but groceries. I buy just about everything online, but haven't really taken on a project like this where there are so many different factors.

So that is why I am trying to find out a few "really good pieces of equipment" and then I will buy somewhere online where I can find it for a good price. Or on Amazon.

I am very much green with inexperience.
 
G

Grador

Audioholic Field Marshall
It's really difficult to throw things at you here as you seem to be placing a strong value on the subjective feel of the equipment. As far as amplification equipment goes most anything from your major name brands will be quite good. If you can't be bothered to go look for things keep an eye on craigslist. If all you want to do with this is spin vinyl then the age of the equipment isn't really much of a concern (within reason), and you're more likely to find built in phono stages on older equipment anyway.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
So I want something that is going to be cool looking as well as functional. Am I just going to have to spend a fortune to get tubes and some good looking/sounding speakers?
Functional can be had a a reasonable price. Tubes and "good looking", depending on what that is, can get quite pricy. Do some searches.

I don't really want a tuner because this is the only room I want this in, and not going to be "streaming music" or connecting anything else to it, just the record player.
Well, due to the economies of scale, you may wind up with a tuner as part of the deal if "reasonable" is your demand. Streaming has nothing to do here.

Is there a used section or anything that I can do to get some awesome stuff for cheap?
ebay, rummage sales, and craigslist, but you'll have to do your own shopping. We've already thrown out a few suggestions which don't seem tp appeal to you. It's up to you now.
 
Swerd

Swerd

Audioholic Warlord
Swerd, thanks for the input, and so I have sent back that Quinpu mini Amp as suggested!

So I want something that is going to be cool looking as well as functional. Am I just going to have to spend a fortune to get tubes and some good looking/sounding speakers? I don't really want a tuner because this is the only room I want this in, and not going to be "streaming music" or connecting anything else to it, just the record player.

Is there a used section or anything that I can do to get some awesome stuff for cheap?
Since you took my advice on that Quinpu, I guess I should keep talking with you :).

You have a turntable and want speakers and something to drive them. This raises a few questions:

What's your price range?

Do you want floorstanding speakers or bookshelf speakers?

Do you own speakers now? Do you know of any speakers you've heard that you like or dislike? Picking speakers involves a lot of personal preference. What I like may not be what you'll like.

Picking an amp or receiver to drive a pair of speakers is fairly easy. Choose by price, power, and appearance. Power should be 50 to 100 watts per channel, measured as defined by the FTC under RMS conditions. Obviously, a "cool looking" amp is something you'll have to choose :). If the price of that Quinpu was an example of your price range, I think you should forget tube amps. (Here is an example of a tube amp I've heard that I could recommend, but it costs 10x more than the little Quinpu.)
 

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