2. analog
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Is it worth expanding into Vinyl???

I've been kicking around the idea of going vinyl for awhile so I figured I'd post some questions. I understand the difference between Vinyl and Digital from a sound recording and reproduction standpoint and the pros/cons of it, but I guess real world opinion specific to my situation is what I seek.

I was born in '79 so by the time I got into music, Digital had already taken over. As such, I was never exposed to Vinyl as a child and have been raised on the digital "sound". At this point, I have a fairly substantial collection of SACD and DVD-Audio which serve as my primary listening material. Genre's are very dispersed including just about everything.

If I decided to venture into Vinyl, I would want to do so with a minimal investment up front (for the hardware)...perhaps around $500-$600. I also see that one can spend over $30k on a turntable with tonearm and cartridge, so that's a little intimidating to me. I don't want to waste even my measly $500 on getting into vinyl if I need to spend substantially more to get sound that exceeds that of my current all-digital setup.

Here is my current setup, so the only addition would be that of the turntable itself, played through these components. I suppose I'm just looking for opinions from anyone who has one regarding whether a ~$500 turntable on this system can yield sonic results that equal or exceed my current capabilities (realizing that the recording itself plays a tremendous role in the reproduction).

SACD/CD Player: Music Hall Maverick (stock)
DVD-A Player: Denon 3910 (stock)
PreAmp: Outlaw Audio 950
Amplifier: Outlaw Audio 750
Fronts: Axiom M80 v2 (Bi-Wired)
Center: Axiom VP150 v2
Rears: Axiom QS8 v2
Sub: Axiom EP500 v2
Interconnects: Outlaw Audio
Speaker Wire: Monster M1.4s BiWire

I should also mention that a nice, wide and open soundstage is the most important characteristic I look for in listening. The more "real" it all sounds, the happier I am.

Any opinions or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Turntable recommendations would also be greatly appreciated!
fatgh0st

Showing 2 responses by adam18

adam18
670 posts
 
YES !!!!! It's definitely a good idea for you to add an analog front end to your system. You have some very good stuff, and I'm sure your music sounds real nice. An "easy way" into analog would be one of the "complete packages" where the cartridge is already mounted on the arm. In your budget, I'd seriously consider the NAD 555, Rega P1, Music Hall 2.2, and Project Debut III. Obviously, if you can spend a little more, the options will greatly improve.
Check out the popular analog websites (Music Direct, Acoustic Sounds, Elusive Disc, Needle Doctor, etc.) and you'll get some good ideas.
Good Luck, and Happy Listening !! Once you start listening to LP's, even on a "modest" turntable, you'll be hooked !!
adam18
670 posts
 
This has been a very interesting discussion, and there have been many, many insightful comments and suggestions. I think that the bottom line needs to be simple.....it's all about the enjoyment of music !! With the proper synergy between audio components, both digital and analog recordings can sound fantastic, and there should NOT be a "which is better" argument.

Personally, I love both my CD and my LP collection, and I spend equally happy hours listening to both my digital and analog front ends. I started my "musical hobby" in the early 1970's, so, naturally, I have a large collection of vinyl. As I got into the mid-80's, through the 90's, and to the present day, I bought quite a lot of CD's. Now, my interests are going back to vinyl, as I'm discovering a vast and wonderful collection of my favorite albums (1950's -- 1960's jazz) getting re-issued by labels such as Blue Note. There are many websites where good re-issues (new vinyl) can be bought for around $10 each.

So, IMHO, the answer lies simply in enjoying equally the two main modes of recorded music. Both digital and analog, for my tastes and musical appreciation, are fantastic, and I am thankful that both formats are available. Some nights, as I sit in front of my Vandersteens, I only listen to the music made by the needle in the groove, and other nights, all my music comes through my CD player. Remember.....it's all about the music. Sit back, enjoy the tunes, and Happy Listening !!
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