I've just been going through this very same thought process and have some observations.
1. For analog recordings (i.e. pre-1985 or so), vinyl gets to the soul of a music experience that digital simply cannot. Even with it's higher resolution and expanded resolution formats, when compared to vinyl digital just plain sounds...digital.
2. Jazz on vinyl is the ultimate hi-fi experience. All the great jazz that was produced from the late 50's to the late 70's sounds best on vinyl without question. Recording processes were perfected for that medium and the medium loves it back. If you doubt this, vinyl is probably not for you.
3. One of the highlights of my week is heading down to my local used record shop every week-end to plow through the new additions bins and see what gems I might find. I rarely leave with less than 4 albums and rush right home to bask in their brilliance. Getting back into vinyl has allowed me to rediscover music that didn't sound right to me on digital.
4. You will have to invest a minimum of $2,000 for 'new' equipment for a table and cartridge to do a decent hi-fi justice. Add a little more if you require a phono stage. The better your system, the more flaws it will point out. Buying used may save you some money if you are disciplined to stay with the same class of component. But if you are like me, buying used says "hey, I'm getting a deal so I should spend just as much and move up."
5. Whatever you think you are going to spend, add 50%. While people often forget the 20% cost rule for cables (interconnects, power) when buying components, accessory can get downright ridiculous with vinyl. Dust covers, record clamps, arm wiring, cartridges, replacement belts, isolation platforms, record cleaning supplies, etc.
6. Old popular records are dirt cheap at your neighborhood used record store. If you live in a city of any size, you have at least one or two. Get a stack of your favorites for $1.99 each. Some will be thrashed, but many will be in surprisingly good shape.
7. New records are crazy expensive - especially the ones that are really involving and make vinyl worth listening to. Half speed masters, 45 rpm re-issues, 180 gram editions - the production of these are not cheap.
My conclusions have 2 parts; (1) If you want to get into vinyl because of it's auditory properties like superior staging and lively feel, don't start down the path unless you are financially ready to do so. In my experience, that means close to $5,000 - $3,000+ for equipment and $2,000 for LPs and ancillaries. (2) If you want to simply try out the experience, you can easily get an inexpensive table (with a built in stage amp) and a fat stack of used records for your $500. Just know going in what you want from the experience and think through what you are willing to spend for it. We all have different priorities.
1. For analog recordings (i.e. pre-1985 or so), vinyl gets to the soul of a music experience that digital simply cannot. Even with it's higher resolution and expanded resolution formats, when compared to vinyl digital just plain sounds...digital.
2. Jazz on vinyl is the ultimate hi-fi experience. All the great jazz that was produced from the late 50's to the late 70's sounds best on vinyl without question. Recording processes were perfected for that medium and the medium loves it back. If you doubt this, vinyl is probably not for you.
3. One of the highlights of my week is heading down to my local used record shop every week-end to plow through the new additions bins and see what gems I might find. I rarely leave with less than 4 albums and rush right home to bask in their brilliance. Getting back into vinyl has allowed me to rediscover music that didn't sound right to me on digital.
4. You will have to invest a minimum of $2,000 for 'new' equipment for a table and cartridge to do a decent hi-fi justice. Add a little more if you require a phono stage. The better your system, the more flaws it will point out. Buying used may save you some money if you are disciplined to stay with the same class of component. But if you are like me, buying used says "hey, I'm getting a deal so I should spend just as much and move up."
5. Whatever you think you are going to spend, add 50%. While people often forget the 20% cost rule for cables (interconnects, power) when buying components, accessory can get downright ridiculous with vinyl. Dust covers, record clamps, arm wiring, cartridges, replacement belts, isolation platforms, record cleaning supplies, etc.
6. Old popular records are dirt cheap at your neighborhood used record store. If you live in a city of any size, you have at least one or two. Get a stack of your favorites for $1.99 each. Some will be thrashed, but many will be in surprisingly good shape.
7. New records are crazy expensive - especially the ones that are really involving and make vinyl worth listening to. Half speed masters, 45 rpm re-issues, 180 gram editions - the production of these are not cheap.
My conclusions have 2 parts; (1) If you want to get into vinyl because of it's auditory properties like superior staging and lively feel, don't start down the path unless you are financially ready to do so. In my experience, that means close to $5,000 - $3,000+ for equipment and $2,000 for LPs and ancillaries. (2) If you want to simply try out the experience, you can easily get an inexpensive table (with a built in stage amp) and a fat stack of used records for your $500. Just know going in what you want from the experience and think through what you are willing to spend for it. We all have different priorities.