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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 3 responses by stickman451

stickman451
553 posts
 
The answer to your question is a RESOUNDING YES! (IMHO). I too have recently re-entered the vinyl world after a 30 year absence; and man am I sorry that I wasted those years!

My first table was a VPI Scout ($1,800 retail) and it knocked my socks off. I used a $650 Dynavector 20xl as my cartridge. It took about ten seconds of listening to George Harrison strum the guitar on ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ on the Beatles Love album for me realize just how good vinyl can sound. There is just something about vinyl that digital (even very good digital) does not have. Vinyl has a more “organic”, warmer, richer, denser sound that I just don’t hear very often from vinyl.

My advice: try one of the entry level Rega tables or better yet, spend a little more and get a used or new VPI Scout; good deals on used Scouts can often be found on AudiogoN’s for sale site. Take a chance on one of these and you will never look back!

I have moved-on and “up” from the Scout and I am all the better for it! Vinyl still rules!!!
stickman451
553 posts
 
YES!!!

Get a entry level Rega or better yet a VPI Scout with a Dynavector 20xl.... Good used Scouts can be had right here on AudiogoN...

You will not be sorry! Vinyl has an organic sound, a richness, a dense sound, and a warmth that even very good digital just cannot seem to match.
stickman451
553 posts
 
A few points to reiterate on all the above (cause some of it is really bull-hockey):

If you do not honestly believe that records sound better than CD, then; (1) you should go listen to a modest, well-implemented vinyl rig; compare for yourself, and then you will agree/understand that records do in fact sound best, or alternatively (2) Immediately sell all of your stereo gear and invest in a good IPod.

Of course records are more ‘trouble’ over-all; you don’t get something for nothing (that’s what we got with digital)… Most things well worth doing require a little extra effort.

In the final analysis, if the original recording was not well executed, then the end product whether it is a record or a CD will reflect that poor execution. But, on most days and in most instances, I would rather listen to a poorly executed record than a poorly executed CD…

Ericjcabrera Nope; I’m not a drummer…wish I were though… 
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