YU4

Opinions on Klipsch like these are divided as some users find them too bright/harsh. So might be worth considering Kanto, most of those have phono input too. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_310YU4MB/Kanto-YU4-Matte-Black.html Available in a variety of finishes too.

5.25" can be good for the room size. 4" may be better to fit on that size desk. I have gone from 5.25" down to 3" speakers on my desk and a 12" subwoofer under my desk. Also powered speakers can be a good options for a desk. Some add USB input for your computer and some have a built in phono preamp

These are powered and have a phono pre-amp... For an average size room, 5.25" Klipsch R-51PM $299 on sale. Smaller 4" Kanto YU4 for a small room. Ideally for the best value buy a used stereo receiver with a Phono input and used passive speakers.

There is a certain appeal in the all white looks. Pro-ject and Kanto YU4 or upgrade to YU6 and TUK in white. SA Legend and Buchardt A10, A700 also in white for a higher end goal.

Gear can often be returned! Then if you do have a medium to large size room you can get the larger 5.25" Kanto YU6 instead of the smaller 4" Kanto YU4.

Or AT-LP120X $369 holiday sale with built in phono preamp. What is the room length and width? Phono preamp for the RT82: Emotiva PH1 $59. ------- Entry level starter powered speakers: For a large room or a medium size room if you have room for them, large 6.5" mid bass driver Dayton Classic B65A $15

I bought the Project T1 with Kanto Yu4's from TTL and have been super happy. It's a great small entry level speaker that sounds great. Of course will need to upgrade or add a sub in the future to get a real deep bass but overall it sounds great and I couldn't be happier.

Probably the kanto yu2 / see if you can get a deal on the yu4. They have a sub out so you can get a cheap subwoofer for bass. Also you can use them as pc speakers should you upgrade later. Might not be big big enough for living room though

What is the room length and width? Edifier R1280 and Kanto YU4 are both compact 4" mid bass driver speakers for a smallish size room. For a medium to large size room consider larger 5.25" or 6.5" speakers. Kanto YU6 are mid size 5.25". Or instead of going from one pair of powered speaker to another

Doubtful. Cheapest speakers I know of that would sound decent and fit your requirements of an optical would be from Kanto. Look at the YU4 or YU6. The ORA gets good reviews for a little less, but have usb in and not optical. YU 4 cost a bit under $500 and can be found on sale for about $360-400 in c