Sound Advice
By Don Lindich
Week 18, 2015
Q. My friend bought the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB record player, but does not have the money to do more than a $100 on speakers and a $100 on a receiver. Can you recommend something for each category at a $200 total, or close to that? They will upgrade later, but thats the spending limit!
-Brad Pflugh
A. This is one case where it makes sense to spend more on the receiver than the speakers. Start with Onkyo’s TX-8020 receiver for $178 and add the Dayton Audio B652-AIR speakers for $59. That’s only $39 more than your limit and it will sound good and provide an upgrade path when you are ready for better speakers.
Q. Isn’t there a way to add Darbee video processing to a TV without purchasing an Oppo Blu-ray player?
-Norm Poole, Sewickley, PA
A. Yes. You can get a small box called the Darblet DVP 5000 for $199 from www.darbeevision.com. The Darbee processing is quite remarkable and it is worth it. You can see samples at the Darbee site. Just use an HDMI cable to put the Darblet between your receiver and the TV, or between your sources and the TV. I like to use the Darbee processing in HD mode with a setting of 35%. I suggest you start there.
Q. I have a old 1980s-vintage Mitsubishi DA-L70 AM/FM stereo cassette auto changer system and LT linear tracking fully automatic turntable. It still works, but I don’t use it anymore. I was going to take it to an electronic recycle in a couple of week. A friend suggested emailing you and asking if it would be worth selling. What do you think?
-Joanne Horak, South Bend, Indiana
A. It’s worth about $60, based on recent eBay sales. There are people with the system asking $150 for them, but no one is buying and actual transactions are $25-30 for the tape deck and $35 for the turntable. You may want to put it on Craigslist in your area and see if it sells.
It would be useful to someone. Frankly I’d give it away for free rather than recycle it. There may be someone out there who is broke but wants to play records!