Choosing an audio system for a turntable

[Saniiochek]

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here, and I'm a complete beginner. I wanted to try getting into vinyl, so after doing some thorough research online, I shortlisted a few turntable models to look out for on the used market. Luckily, I managed to snag an AT-LP120XUSB at a great price.
Now I need to finish putting the system together. I'm primarily leaning towards an amplifier + passive speakers setup rather than just active (powered) speakers. From what I’ve read online, there aren't really any decent active speakers in my budget range—but if that’s not true, I’m open to exploring that option as well.

Key Details:
Location: Moscow, Russia
Currency: Russian Rubles (₽)
Power Grid: 230V @ 50Hz
Budget: 20,000₽ (~$277 / €241). Please base your recommendations on this amount. However, if stretching it by up to an additional 10,000₽ (~$138 / €120) gets me a significantly better product, I'd definitely consider it. I prefer buying used gear, so feel free to suggest equipment that originally retailed for a higher price.
Where to buy: Avito (local used marketplace) https://m.avito.ru/, Yandex Market (local marketplace) https://market.yandex.ru/, and various local audio stores like https://m.audiomania.ru/, https://www.pult.ru/, and https://doctorhead.ru/.
Music Preferences: If it matters, I'll mostly (but NOT exclusively) be listening to metal (post-metal, black metal), shoegaze, and blackgaze. My average listening volume will be around 3.5/10.
Room Dimensions: A standard rectangular room measuring 3.6m × 2.75m × 2.5m (~11.8ft × 9ft × 8.2ft). Even though I live on a main street (for my neighborhood), I'd say the room is fairly quiet.
Space Constraints: Space for audio gear is very limited, but I managed to clear the top external shelves of my dresser (photos attached; the clearance between the top mini-shelf and the lower surface is 88mm (~3.46in)). Since the turntable won't fit there under any circumstances, I plan to hang a shelf above the dresser. Also, because I've read online that it's best not to place a turntable and other audio gear on the exact same surface to minimize vibration and electromagnetic interference, I will either need to hang two separate shelves or find an amplifier that fits perfectly within the dimensions of my dresser shelf.
Subwoofer Option (Optional): As a nice-to-have, I'd like the option to add a subwoofer in the future. This is not a strict requirement and has a lower priority compared to overall sound quality.

In conclusion, I want to thank everyone in advance for your help and apologize for the potentially excessive amount of details. Since I am writing this post in Russian and using a translator, I wanted to make sure all my thoughts and nuances come across as accurately as possible.

 

[Apesbrain]

Given your limited space, a pair of powered speakers might be the best fit. Your AT turntable will plug directly into the speaker. Audioengine, Klipsch, and Edifier each make models in your price range and they are available at the stores you linked.

The WiiM Sound streaming speaker is another option and it would give you access to internet radio and online music services.

 

[Redacted]

Not sure about the best models, but you will need the accessories.
Here's a nice audiophile polishing tool, to keep the needle in good condition:

 

[mglobe]

Given your limited space, a pair of powered speakers might be the best fit. Your AT turntable will plug directly into the speaker. Audioengine, Klipsch, and Edifier each make models in your price range and they are available at the stores you linked.

The WiiM Sound streaming speaker is another option and it would give you access to internet radio and online music services.

Agree. Might add Adam and perhaps the JBL 306p to the list.

 

[Roland_606]

Not sure about the best models, but you will need the accessories.
Here's a nice audiophile polishing tool, to keep the needle in good condition:

View attachment 544186

And let’s not forget the tube rolling for the phono stage…

 

[Apesbrain]

 

[Ropeburn]

Rolling tubes is so 1969. Why not get modern and walk your opamps instead

 

[bigLP]

JBL has b stock 306p mk 2 for 175 each
on their web site.

 

[mglobe]

You guys are funny, but the dude just wants advice on speakers to run with his turntable.

 

[Saniiochek]

JBL has b stock 306p mk 2 for 175 each
on their web site.

Thanks, man, for trying to help. I looked up those JBL 306P speakers online. Over here, they cost 30,000 rubles new from the store – that's 391 dollars. I also found them for 21,500 rubles used, which comes to 281 dollars. That's just more than my budget.

 

[Timcognito]

Hey @Redacted, @Ropeburn @Roland_606 @Apesbrain from our Founder

Let's be a little nicer, especially to newcomers

Hello you all. While I consider our forum to be more friendly than many, it seems that we are quite harsh on new members who post things that go against our consensus view. There is no reason to pound on people hard when they say this and that sounds good to them. Let them have some time here...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[MAB]

Thanks, man, for trying to help. I looked up those JBL 306P speakers online. Over here, they cost 30,000 rubles new from the store – that's 391 dollars. I also found them for 21,500 rubles used, which comes to 281 dollars. That's just more than my budget.

I appreciate.
The JBL 305 are slightly less expensive. Also nice sounding. Potentially within budget if you can find a deal.

JBL LSR305P MKii and Control 1 Pro Monitors Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the JBL 305P Mark ii powered studio monitor and Control 1 Pro budget passive monitor. I purchased the 305P Pro Mark ii when it first came out and it currently sells for US $147.50 from Amazon including Prime shipping. This is the price for one so...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Try filtering the speaker reviews by price:

Master Audio Review Index

www.audiosciencereview.com

See if any passive or active with good performance is available in your area

 

[Timcognito]

Make sure whatever you buy it has or add a phono preamp. They are required for and be had for under $100. ASR has reviewed many. Look and search Reviews upper left on any page

 

[Saniiochek]

Make sure whatever you buy it has or add a phono preamp. They are required for and be had for under $100. ASR has reviewed many. Look and search Reviews upper left on any page

Thanks, but my turntable at-lp120xusb already has a built-in phono preamp.

 

[Saniiochek]

I appreciate.
The JBL 305 are slightly less expensive. Also nice sounding. Potentially within budget if you can find a deal.

JBL LSR305P MKii and Control 1 Pro Monitors Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the JBL 305P Mark ii powered studio monitor and Control 1 Pro budget passive monitor. I purchased the 305P Pro Mark ii when it first came out and it currently sells for US $147.50 from Amazon including Prime shipping. This is the price for one so...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Try filtering the speaker reviews by price:

Master Audio Review Index

www.audiosciencereview.com

See if any passive or active with good performance is available in your area

Thanks, the JBL 305p are a bit over budget, but that's not a problem. And just so I know: I'm not being offered the amp and passive speaker combo because of the budget?

 

[Keith_W]

Turntables are not a good idea if you are on a limited budget. You can barely scratch together enough money to put together a system. What are you going to play on it? Records are expensive, and what you want may not be available on vinyl. Maybe you can put together a collection if you go to a few secondhand stores, but those are usually dusty and you will need some way of cleaning them. My advice is to forget about it. If you want to listen to a lot of music, get a streaming service. You will have near unlimited music at much better quality than vinyl can ever dream of reproducing.

 

[mglobe]

Thanks, the JBL 305p are a bit over budget, but that's not a problem. And just so I know: I'm not being offered the amp and passive speaker combo because of the budget?

I can only speak for myself, but yes, combination of budget and space considerations. It’s quite difficult to find decent passive speakers AND amplification within your price range.

 

[Timcognito]

Turntables are not a good idea if you are on a limited budget. You can barely scratch together enough money to put together a system. What are you going to play on it? Records are expensive, and what you want may not be available on vinyl. Maybe you can put together a collection if you go to a few secondhand stores, but those are usually dusty and you will need some way of cleaning them. My advice is to forget about it. If you want to listen to a lot of music, get a streaming service. You will have near unlimited music at much better quality than vinyl can ever dream of reproducing.

Keith is right. I have been collecting vinyl since the 1960s (6-700 Lps) I rarely play them, however, collecting is fun and often expensive but can be rewarding.

I just typed Metal in to my favorite new music website and here is what I got back, most of which will be found on a streaming service like Qobuz, 47 pages. Try searching other more specific genres or even Russia or Russian Metal for fun.

KFJC 89.7FM

KFJC 89.7FM

 

[Cote Dazur]

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here

Since you apparently just found this forum, if I was you, I would spend time reading before doing anything.
start with all thread started by Amir.
You have much to learn, enjoy.

 

[Saniiochek]

Keith is right. I have been collecting vinyl since the 1960s (6-700 Lps) I rarely play them, however, collecting is fun and often expensive but can be rewarding.

I just typed Metal in to my favorite new music website and here is what I got back, most of which will be found on a streaming service like Qobuz, 47 pages. Try searching other more specific genres or even Russia or Russian Metal for fun.

KFJC 89.7FM

KFJC 89.7FM

Sorry, but due to my limited knowledge of English (and my uncertainty about the automatic translation), I didn't understand what you were getting at. Anyway, I searched for the bands I listen to, and unfortunately, I couldn't find anything (Olhava, Show Me a Dinosaur, Levithan, Austere, Воргашор).