2. analog
  3. 1064785054

Advice wanted on mid range setup

Hi,

Having heard an SME 30 setup blow away a DCS elgar digital at Sound by Singer last year, I am finally ready to get back into analog. (BTW, it was an all out assualt: All boulder electronics, into the JM labs grand utopia using a chesky reissue lp against the same recording on CD. It only took about 10 seconds to come to the conclusion, it was by no means a sublte difference)
My idea was to see if I could find software, stating this weekend. So far, after 2 days of hunting, I have about 70 lps. Cost: Zero.

People will just give this stuff away, amazing. So, I am humbly asking the advice of the analog denziens here for ideas on a rig that will be of matching performance to the rest of my system.

Currently, I have ARC electronics (LS16 MK2, VT100 MK3, CD), running through audioquest cabling (diamond X3 silver balanced interconnects, Caldera Biwire for the speakers) Speakers are Martin Logan Ascents and room treatment is by ASC

I Would like to spend an upper limit of $7,000, including phono stage (tubes, if possible), arm, TT, cartidge, and interconnects. I would be looking for used stuff here on Audiogon, with the possible exception of the cartridge. I have some reservations about buying a pre owned cartridge: is this a valid fear?

Thanks in advance for all you help.
rlips

Showing 2 responses by marakanetz

marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Let's visualize for .4mV cartridge to find an interface between LS16(22dB gain, 120mV input sencitivity)...
After short calculations it figures that the output from discussed PH3 phonostage will be slightly less than 180mV it's not sufficient since there are different levels and even traction speed throughout the record surface may make the cartridge voltage vary one way or the other with sacrifice to detail and dynamics.
If you can get away with used SS Pass X ono or Pass Aleph ono with Twl's sugested the rest of analogue setup than you will have some extra left from your budget to buy records.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Jjmali,

I specifically want to add that in old vinyl time only the first ones sounded real good. Reissues very often was sounding terrible. I know some ways to distinguish either by serial numbers or by jackets but I realy collect only originals. Reissues on CDs sounded even more terrible. Hence, my point of view in that case is to have ONLY originals and my truth is that I realy enjoy holding in my hands a large original UK issue of "The wall" with booklet, inserts and posters no matter wether it's better or worse sounding than japanese mini-lp.:-) Do you know that Led Zeppelin II original sounds very close to MFSL issue

One more hint: singers who sing for microphone are easy to record...
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