Just got back in the vinyl community


It has been years since my last vinyl memory. Glad technology has been improved and cost of good quality components are more affordable nowadays. Just gone through the websites and YouTube channels, I have finally assembled my vinyl system at my budget. Got everything online and received them at my doorstep. Put everything together after work and get everything going on my day off. After extensive research and price checking, I have settled on the following components:

1. Speakers: a pair of 12th generation Uni-Q driver array KEF R3 speakers in my favorite glossy white finish.

2. Amplifier: Audiolab 6000A integrated amplifier in black finish (I can only budget it for integrated amplifier).

3. Source: Rega Planar 2 turntable In glossy white finish to match my speakers. However, I did upgrade the standard Carbon MM cartridge to the in house Exact MK2 MM cartridge to max out the potential along with Pro Ject Tube Box S2 phono stage (still in back order ETA in July).

So far playing everything on Audiolab built in phono stage with good results. Expecting improvement over Tube phono stage in July arrival. 
 

Any recommendations on the next upgrade? I can plan ahead on my budget. Thanks. 

sfvolvo

Showing 1 response by bdp24

I can only imagine how frustrating and discouraging it is for the label owners who invest a lot of time in tracking down original analogue master tapes to then see over and over again the false narrative that "no one presses records from original master tapes they use a digital master." And to then to hear "they don’t know how to press a record so you get horrible sound just horrible."

Those kinds of statements come from people who think in terms of the LP’s sold at "Barnes and Nobles or Walmart or Target" (that's like going to McDonalds in search of good food). They are apparently completely unaware of record labels such as Analogue Productions, Speakers Corner, Intervention Records, Vinyl Me Please (VMP), Acony, Light In The Attic, New West, Jackpot Records, Blue Note Records, Impex Records, Craft Recordings, Sundazed Records, Third Man Records, and numerous others.

They are also seemingly unaware of record pressing plants such as Quality Record Pressing (QRP)---they are doing the Hendrix and Steely Dan reissues, Pallas (in Germany), and Record Technology Inc. (RTI). VMP is right now building a new LP pressing plant.

Just as you have to know where to look to find superior hi-fi gear, you have to know where to look to find the good new LP’s, whether reissues of older albums or all analogue pressings of new releases. There is so much being released it is impossible to keep up with! I’m still out there searching for original pressings from the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, while also watching closely for the superior reissues of old albums. Some reissues actually sound better than originals, some don’t. If you don’t think the Analogue Productions reissue of The Beach Boys Surfer Girl album sounds better than the original Capitol Records pressing, you need a better hi-fi!