Getting into vinyl for the first time, need help


I currently run MOG via airplay to an Apple TV. I own a Peachtree NovaPre and Peachtree220 amp. My buddy brought over his Rega P3-24 and I connected it to the (tapeout) of an old thriftstore stereo with built in phono into the aux-in on my preamp. We fired up Neil Young's Heart of Gold and within 3 seconds I wanted to throw away my entire digital system.

I am in the market for a new table and phono pre and its decision making time. I could spend around $800 for a table and that would soak up my entire budget, leaving me no room for a phono pre. The other option is to sell my Peachtree Pre for another $800-900 and buy a phono preamp with volume control and run that into my power amp but I cant seem to find much out there. I was looking at the PS Audio GCPH but its almost a decade old, is it still a good contender?

Any other suggestions?
vedder323

Showing 2 responses by tbromgard

I have read positive things about the PS Audio GCPH and believe it is still a viable piece in a good system plus it has the vol. control. But I think your peachtree offers lots of flex and I wouldnt abandon the heart of your system...yet. If it were my choice, I would opt for a used table, new cartridge and used phono, similar to what Heyraz suggests. I would look for used Sota Comet, P3, MF5.1. I would then put a new cart-like Ortofon 2M red (blue if you can swing it). it comes with a scale and instructions so you can install it yourself. 100-200, respectively. A used NAD pp2 or creek mm $100.

Or get a new project Carbon, comes with Ortofon 2M red mounted for $399 or $499. Read michael fremer's review. He paired it with a Bellari tubed phono preamp and liked the results. Any cash left over spend on new vinyl and accesories like a record brush.
Yes the more I think about it, I would opt for a new Carbon, et al as described above.