get vinyl rig or audio aero capital

thanks for the responses
keep them coming
especially recommendations

it's just when I start adding up the table arm cartridge shelf and preamp one's easily at $2-$4 k
used Capitoles under $5

living in New Orleans I have no such chance of such an audition
my sole audio outlet sells a few of the Nottinghams which I've heard good things about - but doesn't have the market to have one lying around in the store to audition
well maybe I'd get the choice later this summer
with a stop to NYC on vacation

thanks guys

UncleJeff - yes the resale on an Audio Aero is a big plus
and I also do 2 channel home theater so using the dac end on my dvd player would be a good use

I do have some rather nice vinyl
particularly Japanese pressings played once (taped to Nak)
most of my stellar 70's - 80's music that I still play a lot

old Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Bowie, Roxy, Costello, Crimson, Eno etc

I've been reluctant to play these unless I have an analog setup that won't degrade them (the B&O is why bother)

tom

Brian and John

thanks for the comments

my quest is for musicality - I don't need the latest or fanciest - just something engaging

my thoughts on putting my post here were as follows
those who had made the switch or invested heavily in both a digital and analog front end would steer me 1) above the entry level tables 2) to a level where I wasn't damaging my vinyl and getting stellar performance 3) would give experiences on their own digital forays - and yes comments on the glory and alternatives to the audio aero (I baited it a little)that sizeable cd collection will still be in heavy rotation

I had heard of the Meitner here, those that have it are impressed. The EVS Millenium itself is quite a formibidle dac and it has faired better than quality stuff like ARC and Sonic Frontiers I put it up against

I've been doing a little research -
the Nottingham tables seem to get rave reviews
and a mid line one could suit nicely or a modifiable VPI

thanks a lot for the input

hey Dekay

well I need a phono stage first

I could play it on my bedroom system NAD 3400 integrated with phono (or maybe even rig that up into my pre - thats a little scarier)

alternatively my dealer has an old ARC PH2 that he wants way too much for $1300 and an NAD 533 so I could borrow those for a weekend and play on my real system

tom

thanks for all the suggestions

looks like I have a wonderful deal on an ARC ph2 and am going to buy it. I can always use the B&O to start out. Being that I have a balanced ARC LS5 this looks like a perfect match. I've heard great things about Nottingham and my local hifi dealer in New Orleans has ordered a few, so I may get to go demo a spacedeck.

I guess I'll need another rack to hold the ph2 and turntable. Are there shelf units where I might be able to add a section below to house the phono stage, or a floor framed rack (I have carpet on slab flooring).

thanks

tom

thanks all, I'm taking the analog plunge!!!

already buying up vinyl at my local used record store in New Orleans (good deals)and ebay

bought the ARC PH2 phono pre (on it's way)

now do I wait six months for an expensive rig $2-3K Nottingham Spacedeck is one option I am looking at

or do I jump on a used VPI HW19 MKiv for $900-1000

or a Nottingham Hyperspace for $1200

or other good deals

cartridge recommendations - most bang for the buck?

all suggestions welcome

thanks

4yank - sorry - yes an interspace $1200 with arm and cart

mikeyaya - that's just the type of comment I wanted to hear
do it right the first time

and thanks twl for all the comments offline

thanks

Tom