2. analog
  3. 1391553657

Help for my return to vinyl -- $2K rig.

I'm thinking of buying my first TT, cartridge and phono preamp. I grew up listening to records and have perhaps 100 saved up from my youth.

As part of a move, I decided to upgrade my system, and my dealer is a devout vinyl guy-- I listened to a bunch of vinyl while auditioning amplifiers and really loved the sound. The setup I listened to most was a Rega RP-6 through either a bellari or rega phono stage (I'll just try to forget what I heard through the Shindo/Garrard rig in the big room). I believe that rig gets close to $3K including a cartridge, which is just a bit higher than I want to go at this point. I'm thinking $1,500-$2,000 for a new TT/Cartridge and used phono stage. I don't generally like to buy used components with lots of moving parts, but electronics are generally fine.

System:

Line Magnetic 518IA (22 Watt Integrated 845 SET)
Merlin TSM-MME
Cary 306/200

Here's the thing-- my budget will be high enough next year to get the Rega Rig mentioned above, maybe even something nicer, so if I'm going to be disappointed by the offerings in my current price range, maybe I should just wait a year rather than buying some typical entry-level rig and losing the money the minute I drive them off the lot and realize I want more. OTOH, I'd like to enjoy some vinyl now. I'll appreciate suggestions.

D
dkidknow

Showing 4 responses by dkidknow

dkidknow OP
61 posts
 
Thanks for your thoughts. The Line Magnetic and Merlins do make for a pretty resolving pair that won't suffer a subpar front end very well. I'm thinking forbearance might be the better part of valor here. May have to wait till next year.

OTOH, I don't think my mom would mind me borrowing her 1980s era B&O TT. I could always use my budget to buy a quality used phono preamp right now and wait until next year to buy a TT that would really make my heart flutter. Makes sense or do i stop squirming and just put the analog rig on hold?
dkidknow OP
61 posts
 
Thought i made it clear I need the total cost of turntable + cartridge + phono stage to be under $2K. These suggestions are all close to or over $2k without the phono stage, and some of them will still need a cartridge after that. The Shindo version of the 301 is $25K alone.

I guess I'll be waiting a year to buy my vinyl rig after all.
dkidknow OP
61 posts
 
OK, so some time has gone by and I'm ready to buy a vinyl rig. Cash reserves have replenished, so we now have about $3K to spend on the whole setup, including cartridge and phono preamp.

My dealer has suggested:

Rega RP-6
Dynavector 20X2 Cartridge
Dynavector P-75 (current version)

A big advantages is that the shop will set up everything for me so it's pretty darn plug and play. I have never set up a turntable and don't want to get very involved with it.

Thoughts/alternatives?
dkidknow OP
61 posts
 
Someone could suggest either a completely idiot-proof used turntable or reasonable set-up service in/around New York City that would address my set-up concerns and yield the lower price of a used table, or offer an opinion of another new analog rig in my budget that would be better.

I'm also very open to used phono stages that cost about the same as the Dynavector-- $850 or so.
More to discover