Analog under 2k?

Joe,

Strange how decisions get made isn't it. Damn the logic, full fun ahead! If you want those MFSL's "broken in" while you assemble your rig, just let me know.

I'm sure Twl will advise you to choose your arm carefully. The Denon 103 series makes more demands on an arm than most cartridges. The good news is, if an arm can handle them there won't be many cartridges it can't handle. Your upgrade path should be pretty wide open.

Joe,

I tried building you a Teres-based rig and couldn't quite see how to do it on your budget. So I started thinking about a Nott' Horizon, as Inna suggested. Then Twl's post showed up.

As usual, he's nailed it. He even got you a wood base, which reportedly sounds far better than acrylic. I can't imagine a better sounding rig for this money. If you're willing to deal with the maintenance and hassles of LPs you will be pleased and thoroughly astonished. That Music Hall CDP may soon be gathering dust.

Some people say the Denon's are the best cartridges made for <$800 so go for that if you can. The 103R is meant to be the best of the line, assuming it's still available.
You may have to order that model directly from EIFL in Japan.

Inna's objection to the arm/table cost ratio makes sense on paper, but the detailed reasons Twl gave for these particular selections are spot on. Thanks to his help I have a similar imbalance, $820 arm on a $3700 table, and they play stupendously. Go for it.

I thing the upgrade-itis Kurt describes is far more prevalent and costly with digital than with analog. At least with analog a genuine musical satisfaction is possible. At some point you may find it, many people have on budgets lower than yours. A lot of people, myself included, will never find satisfaction from redbook CD regardless of how much we spend. People on that track go all the way up to $25K dcs rigs and beyond in search of "analog-like" sound, and still don't find it. That's a far more serious danger to one's finances, not to mention one's musical satisfaction.

Jphii, as a Teres owner who "cheated" and just bought one, I admire your spirit. Go for it. The worst that could happen is you'll have trouble making a platter. If that happens you could just order one later. Keep us posted on your progress.