Getting into analog is tough....

I just got into analog about a month ago. I bought a VPI Scout/JMW9 tonearm and an Ortofon OM20 MM cartridge. Here are my thoughts. In my mind, it was worth the plunge (which will probably cost about $3000+ once all is said and done). The sound is noticeably better than my digital rig, which is pretty decent (Muse Model 8 transport and Model 296 DAC). More importantly, it is a "different" sound (more lifelike, better space, more musical) which I've enjoyed greatly. I feel like vinyl has taken my system to a different level. I've also enjoyed visiting all of the excellent used vinyl stores in the SF Bay Area. On the down side, the store forgot to mount my cartridge, so I had to fuss with setting up the cartridge and arm. It took a good deal of time and wasn't fun, but a good learning experience. I also have to clean records and will probably have to buy a record cleaning maching somewhere down the line.

I think you need to consider a number of things:
1) What is the rest of your system? I didn't feel that the rest of my system could be upgraded without spending significantly more than the vinyl rig, so I bought into vinyl for the most economical upgrade that would be significant to my ears. If you have a modest system, you might want to consider sticking with digital and upgrading other components in your system first.

2) Are there stores in your area that have a good selection of vinyl? I don't think I would have bought a turntable if I had to mail order for most of my records. There are enough good stores in my area (San Francisco) so that I can find most things I want on vinyl.

3) Do you want to invest the time vinyl requires? Finding records aside, you'll have to spend time adjusting the turntable, arm, cartridge, etc. and also cleaning records.

For me, I've been very happy with my foray into vinyl.

winston

You started a important thread.

I can't say that I agree with the you-have-to's in analog or audio in general. Its only as hard as you make it. Noting how you are confused and anxious enough to start a thread about it, Match, I'd just get a Rega P25, a Rega cart and Orbitrac record cleaning kit. Its not the best sound for the money, but its certainly quality sound and in my experience, it will net you more enjoyment. No reason for a bad time; you can buy more complicated gear later.

Keep your CD and forget about vinyl. I just brought Ray Brown "Soular Energy" and could not find it in the blue vinyl. Too many people are into vinyl, stay with your CD collection.

I too just got back into vinyl. I purchased a used Basis 1400, with RB300 arm. I also bought a ARC PH3 phono preamp and added a new Benz Micro Glider II cartridge and was off and running. Total cost about $2500.

Was it worth it? You bet. I have not listened to this much music in 10 years. It sounds better than my SACD/CD player (Sony 9000ES), by a large margin.

You have quite a lot of what amounts to free music (between you and your brothers collections you have several hundred albums!).

Two bits of advice I can give you is to buy a used TT and tonearm from somebody who is upgrading here on Audiogon. In that way you will be reasonably assured of getting a quality TT that has been taken care of fairly well.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can buy a used cartridge as well, but beware that some of them are very well used (worn out?) and installing them is not always easy. (Learning how to properly install/adjust a cartridge is daunting, as there are a number of variables: Tracking Force, Vertical Tracking Angle, Anti-skate forces, etc..) Given that and the possibility of bending the cantilever while installing it, and thus ruining the cartridge, is the reason I purchased my cartridge new from the local analog guru (Brian @ the Analog Room, in San Jose, CA).

As far as record cleaning is concerned, I recommend you purchase "Last" products, both the power cleaner and the preservative. Those and a carbon fiber brush and a stylus cleaning brush are all you really need.
Total cost about $100.

I recommend you make the plunge, as the sound just seems more musical than SACD and CD's. If you decide you don't like it, you can sell the rig and not be much, if anything, out of pocket.

Good Luck in your decision!

Match,

If I thought about music reproduction the way you describe it in your original post I would probably sell all of my software and equipment and buy one of those iPods and just download 1s and 0s off some website. What the hell, it all sounds the same on those little ear buttons, you can carry it in your shirt pocket and even get one free if you buy a new Beetle.

But I don't think that way about music reproduction. I want the best sound reproduction I can get to MY ears and analog sounds better to me than anything I have ever heard to date. I'm also that way about video. I'm the guy who will spend over $5k and countless hours in the attic and on the roof to get 9 channels of HDTV, because it looks better. But I'm not going to try to talk you into doing anything. If your happy with CDs, great! Enjoy.

Now, if you decide to make the commitment to analog, I'm sure you will find, as I have, that TWL and many others will go above and beyond to help you.