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

All,

I have a solid vinyl setup that I like to think of as entry-level “plus:” Project Debut Pro with Sumiko Moonstone cartridge.  I enjoy vinyl for the ritual but find that my digital gear - a $400 ifi streamer and the AKM DAC built into my Anthem preamp - beats the analog rig in most ways.  Far better imaging/soundstage and much tighter bass without the occasional distortion/sibilance/warbling of the vinyl rig.  I haven’t messed with cartridge setup other than to check the factory-performed alignment, which looks perfect.  The table is perfectly balanced, counterweight set correctly with an electronic scale, etc - so I have no reason to think there’s a setup problem.  
 

Is this par for the course for this level of vinyl gear?  What do I need to spend to get my vinyl gear to match the performance of decent digital?  I’m thinking of upgrading to a Clearaudio Concept, perhaps with a Hana SL cartridge, but I want to make sure doing that is going to deliver a fundamentally different experience than what I have right now with the Project/Sumiko combination.

 

No interest in flame wars or rehashing the vinyl/digital debate.  I know vinyl can sound wonderful and am simply trying to decide whether I can afford the price of entry for a system that can gets the basics right (no audible distortion/sibilance, decent imaging).  I thought the Project/Sumiko would have gotten me there, but for whatever reason it hasn’t fit the bill.Thanks for any insights. 

lousyreeds1
owu497's avatar
owu497
11 posts
 

I've owned/currently own everything from a Rega RP1 to an Avid Acutus Reference turntable, an AT3600 to an Ortofon Diamond cartridge, a Jancane to a McIntosh MP1100 phono preamp, and the standard house garbage that comes with every budget turntable to a Kuzma 4Point 11 tonearm.
I definitely agree vinyl sounds better than ANY digital format (and I've tried 'em all), but you gotta spend at least $2000 (around $700 each for tt/cart/pre).
Looks like you should look at spending double what you have now. I'd REALLY think twice. Vinyl is a money pit.

kennyc
1,910 posts
 

Vinyl is a money pit.

This hobby is a money pit. The word “done” can be elusive for many of us 

rbyington711's avatar
rbyington711
70 posts
 

Until you can hear a difference that makes you say that's better price does not always signify a better sound. I purchased a PS audio phono stage for about 3K

Then replaced it with a Pass Labs 27  for me it was not that much more revealing considering the huge difference in price.

thom_oz's avatar
thom_oz
45 posts
 

I have a Rega P6, Ortofon 2M Black (shibata) cart, McIntosh MX113 phono/preamp on my primary system. My other phono setup is a Marantz TT-15 with Clearaudio Wood Ebony cart and a Harmon-Kardon 330c receiver, so "less robust".  I keep my records as clean as a 60 year old house not updated permits.

My digital playback at home with any transport and either DAC doesn't come close to the vinyl playback of like-titles unless a specific CD mastering is insanely good. I own 60 SACDs and 35 DVD-A, so I'm no digi-phobe.

avanti1960
1,573 posts
 

"$3,000" minimum.  

Technics 1200 MK VII

Hana ML

Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II.  

To sound as good as digital vinyl requires life like dynamics which do not come cheaply- a LOMC cartridge is a must as is a good clean phono preamp.  The Technics tables also bring excellent energy to the "table".  You get the smoothness of vinyl with the dynamic clarity of digital.  

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