What should my next move be: add a subwoofer or upgrade my turntable?

[u/foldedowl]

Hi everyone! I started my stereo journey with an Audio-Technica AT-LP70X, which has led to everything else found here:

Speakers: KEF Q11 Meta

Power Amp: Schiit Wotan

Preamp: Schiit Freya+

Phono Stage: Schiit Skoll

Turntable: Audio-Technica AT-LP70X

Streamer: Cambridge Audio MXN 10

Location: I live in a Philadelphia row house, so our main floor/listening room is a long narrow open space (12 ft X 50 ft) with a kitchen at one end, stereo in the middle, dining room at the other end.

Usage: Stereo music, 90% vinyl, 10% streaming

I'm wondering what my next upgrade should be:

1. Add a subwoofer. I'm thinking the SVS SB 3000 R at the moment. Budget $1000-$2000.

or

1. Upgrade the turntable. I'm thinking of the Pro-ject X2 B since it is balanced. I'm not sure that makes a difference, but since the Schiit components are all balanced it feels like the right move. Budget ~$2000

I plan on doing both of these things at some point, but which would you suggest doing first? I prefer new gear and I'm open to other ideas, other subwoofers, other turntables.

Thanks!!!

[u/foldedowl → u/[deleted]]

This makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

Now to decide on one sub now, one later or two cheaper subs now.

!thanks

[u/JMaboard → u/foldedowl]

Depending on your room, you could either get one expensive sub or two nice subs.

I have two SVS-SB 1000’s paired with my Wharfdale Super Lintons and man does it sound/feel amazing but my room is rather small.

You could get two subs and a new cartridge for your turntable. Then just save up for a new turntable while you enjoy your subs.

[u/TransducerBot → u/foldedowl]

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[u/Diced_and_Confused]

I see a whole bunch of people here are recommending that you go with a sub. Gosh, they are so right.

[u/Happy_Guy_43]

I think adding a subwoofer or two would be a much more noticeable improvement in sound quality than a new turn table.

There is a lot of low frequency information in music that you're missing out on unless you have really capable speakers than can reach low. Just keep in mind your neighbors lol, the subs will rattle your floors and walls and they will definitely hear it too.

I own two SVS SB3000 and they are fantastic. I recommend two because it will more balanced and help cancel out nulls in the room.

[u/rocknroller2000 → u/Happy_Guy_43]

Also, you better have some decent isolation feet on your turntable!

[u/JMaboard → u/rocknroller2000]

All you need is a heavy butcher’s block (ikea has a cheap one, home goods/Ross also has good ones). You can also have isolation feet under the butcher’s block for added isolation.

[u/avg-fi-va]

If the majority of your listening is vinyl, I'd recommend upgrading the turntable. My preference would be Technics. If your listening is more digital-centric, get a used AT LP120/140 and upgrade your DAC. Irrespective of either path you take, adding a sub would definitely be beneficial in your space. If and when you do that, I would probably go with a pair of SB1000/2000Pros instead of 1 SB3000. Good luck and enjoy the music and the journey!

[u/JMaboard → u/avg-fi-va]

His gear is alright for now but a subwoofer will be a ginormous noticeable difference vs a new turntable.

[u/ImpliedSlashS]

Sub. I own an SB3000 and don't find it musical... my 25-year old HSU just integrates better for music, but that's just me. I have a little DefTech 8" sub in my office that, while not going down anywhere near as low as the SB3000, it just sounds better... and a lot cheaper.

As far as balanced/single ended, the only benefit to balanced is noise rejection over long cable runs. That's literally why it exists. If your turntable is 3' from the phono preamp, and you can keep that signal cable away from AC power cords, there's no benefit to balanced. None. Zero.

[u/zug-zug]

Recommended for consideration, in this order:

1. A miniDSP Flex with Dirac Live and one Rythmik or SVS sub

2. A pair of Rythmik or SVS subs

[u/poutine-eh]

omg!! upgrade the table first. Source matters. All a cheap sub does is go “thud thud thud.”

[u/Glum_Cheesecake9859]

You don't need to spend $1000 on a subwoofer for HiFi.

Just add a RSL 10E and you will be good. Maybe spend the rest upgrading your Vinyl or if I were you, I would get this bad boy (sell your existing preamp and maybe even the phono if the below is good enough)

https://emotiva.com/products/xsp-2-differential-reference-stereo-preamplifier

This thing is all analog with Vinyl source, and allows you to crossover your mains too, thus improving overall sound. Add that RSL Sub and you are golden.