How much do I need to spend to make vinyl sound better than digital?

These are the critical variables, with what mine sell for approximately (not anywhere near what I really paid) at retail:

- cartridge - $9,900

- tonearm - $900

- table - 2,400

- phono stage - $900

- tubes for phono stage - $1,200

TOTAL: $15,300  

Synergy MATTERS.

Milage WILL vary: I’m guessing entry to what you are looking for is $10,000. A lot less if you are patient, like I was, and CAREFULLY buy floor demos or used. 
 

I have 6,000+ LPs. At $25 an LP (many worth less, many worth more, some worth much more), that is about $150,000 worth. 
 

I listen to vinyl 95% of the time. CDs 4%. Online/streaming: 1%. I have so much invested in vinyl that I don’t have time or interest in exploring other platforms. 

Let me make (the vinyl and digital) clear.

If you like any music record which is not available as digital form, then you have no choice, and have to play LP records. And, you need to spend some reasonable money to get decent sound (music).

If your favorate music is available as both analog and digital, go to digital form. Tha's it. 

For example, I like 1990's K-pops, which were sold as analog and digital form. I do have both forms of exact music (same singer, same year, same recording, etc). The digital is FAR superior to the LP!. If you like Tammy Wynette,songs, and if there are two versions, one from Tammy Wynette and another recorded from just your wife. For the real nice music, do you play your wife's recording?

Digital is far, far better recording media to analog. The music source is most important.

I have ca. 1,000 LPs. I got from mostly "Everyday Music". 50c each. So, ~$500.

I cannot say possession of $150,000 is stupid, but also I refrain to say that was wise.

The 1,000 LPs give me really emotional music pleasure. I can say this is wise.

I spent 7k. CA performance dc hana ml (low output).

detail is amazing,

small acoustic ensembles are any vinyl’s strength.

FWIW i only by vinyl from analog masters, so most purchases from discogs.

Although there are people that swear that digital in vinyl sounds wonderful as well.

Note to Lousyreeds1: Vinyl & Dig to do right are actually two different hobbies. To do both right is extremely expensive. One can dabble in one or the other of course but to get into the weeds on both at once and listen to any music takes a lot of time and money. 

Best JS