input for a Vinyl newbie

Given your current system, I would start off with something a little better. Even though you are new to vinyl, you are probably not new to audio. With vinyl, a little more money spent with entry level equipment, yields big improvments. Its not like a CD player. A good combo would be something like a VPI Scout with a DV 20 low output cart and a DV-P75 phono preamp. Its not too expensive, but will give you a much better idea if vinyl is something you want to really get into.

I returned to vinyl with a Project 1. something with a pre mounted cartridge. I also purchased a very cheap phono stage pre-amp. I was very disappointed. A friend recommended a Denon DL-160 cartridge. Bad move because that gave me a taste of what was possible. Fast forward 6 years. I've been thru 4 or 5 TT's and countless phono pre-amps. My advise is to spend as much as you can afford on a TT, phono pre amp and Cartridge. My experience is that a cartridge and phono pre-amp are just as or maybe more important that the TT. The Jolida is nice and I have one on a 2nd TT.

Dear Coolsound: I don't know how many LPs alredy own but the Zd542 advise to mate a better analog rig to your system is way valid.
In the past Classe preamps had the alternative to integrate a phono card, I don't know if this is possible with your Omega.

Anyway, you need a better analog rig for really you can have your " feet wet " with a war water instead and icy one. Try a good SS phono stage not a tube one.

In the other side, analog is not a plug&play " item ", you need patience to learn and patience to achieve a good overall set up. Analog is as imperfect as my Russian language ( I'm Mexican and I don't speak Russian. ) for say the least and due to that I can say is the least user friendly audio alternative.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

I agree with the above - spend what you can afford to spend - but with some caveats.

For analogue, set-up is CRITICAL. A very costly analogue front end, if poorly set up, will be much inferior to a cheap but carefully set up one. I suggest that you find a good retailer who can take care of you, or join an audio club. Best is to ignore the ads and audition before you buy.

Used is fine if you have a good retailer. But don't even think about buying from the net until you know enough to set up on your own. And that means practicing on cheap stuff first, unless you can face the thought of a dead Koetsu.

When you are properly set up, you will hear something very different. A few pops and clicks from time to time, which you can live with, but no treble. NO TREBLE IS AN ILLUSION. Digital distortion masquerades as high frequency signal. What you are hearing from vinyl is an absence of distortion.

As for "software", you have alternatives: new (and costly) or old (and dirty). I suggest that you try some of your favourite pieces on audiophile releases first, to give you an idea of what is possible. Avoid digital remastering, or any digital processing anywhere in the signal chain.

Give it at least 100 hours, which will allow your cartridge to adapt to your tonearm, and your ears time to adapt to unprocessed music. Then, if you decide that the improvement in sound is worth the hassle, buy a good used record cleaner, and buy old (and dirty) records. Or, find a source of old, clean records.

You may be on the threshold of a life-long passion for vinyl upgrades. Good luck!

Thank you all for the feedbacks. What is your opinion between the Scout and Scout 2 ($600 difference)? Will there be noticeable improvement in sound quality with the Scout 2? Should I use the extra money for a better cartridge/phono preamp instead?

I currently do not own that many LPs. Just a box of couple dozen albums and about 150 45s from the 80s that has been sitting in my closet for the last 25 years. Will start increasing my collection if I like the new setup.

Thanks.