Low end TT vs. Hi end CD

I don't have a lot of records... maybe 20. The majority of those are 12" dance records. I bought the Technics 1200 and the mixer so that I could learn how to mix, and because you can only find certain music on vinyl (how strange is that?)...

I never thought the TT could give me more than OK sound. I remember vinyl when I was very young, but I really grew up with CDs.

That's why I have a hi end CD rig, and hundreds of CDs.

I think over time, I may invest more money in a new TT, but I'm broke right now, and couldn't afford more than maybe a better cartridge.

But I'm very curious to discover more, and will start looking for vinyl. There is a great place right near my apartment called Second Story Books that has loads of used records CHEAP. I may find some stuff there I like...

I'll let you know how each added upgrade improves the sound. The Syrah should get here sometime late February (that would be over 5 months wait...).

Just ordered couple of records from GEMM.com

what an awesome site. you can find anything! i was really impressed with the selection.

we'll see how the TT sounds with my new phono stage. i'm seriously considering givin up the wadia, making some money to pay down a little debt, AND getting a new TT setup! analog is definitely cheaper than digital to set up.

thanks psychic for your suggestions. i'll look into a different cartridge (moving magnet?) when i get the phono stage. that gives me some time to save some dough.

what are some medium priced cartridges to look for? TWL suggested a Goldring 1042.

i also took a look a Zaikes review of the KAB dampening system. interesting, and may be something i tweak with after i'm initially set up. Zaikes was great helping me get the basics of my TT setup...

polishing a turd :)

Zaikes, you said you think the 1200 is very convenient and easy to use. Are some of the other belt drive tables (i've been doing some reading the last couple nights) like LinnLP12, Basis 1400, Teres 135 (these were the recommended moderately priced players) hard to operate or require maintenance and tuning all the time?

Also, what cartridge are you using? have you tried a goldring?

Yep, sold the BAT, paid off some debt. Auctioned off the Wadia, buyer backed out after auction. Which was OK... I'm still trying to hold on to it.

But I could get some extra cash AND get a sweet TT setup, along with a bunch of new records, by selling the 860x.

I'm going to listen first to some new vinyl, on my 1200, with my current cartridge, and the new phono stage first, to see what i think.

I guess I hope I can hear some of what vinyl can do on the 1200. From your answer above, it seems like I should be able to do that...

I think I can hear the PRAT through the internet.

Seriously though, my old roommate wants to buy my Technics. Before I upgrade the table to non-DJ cartridge, I think I might just sell it to him, and look at a belt table. I just realized I have a couple grand coming to me on my tax return.

I'm goin to mull it over...

Last night, I started looking to see waht kind of vinyl is available, and realized I could almost replace my entire CD collection with vinyl. I was amazed. I never knew they were still manufacturing current music on vinyl.

It has me thinking, along with the offer I got for my Technics, and the coming tax return, that maybe I should shoot for somekind of decent analog setup. I could even sell the Wadia (which I was going to do, but the winner of my auction backed out, and I ended up keeping the player), and take the proceeds to get something great.

I looked at Teresaudio.com, and yes, the TT look great, but I gotta admit, I hate when I see rare woods used. It's just a line I won't cross -- supporting rainforest destruction. That stuff kills me.

So then I started lookin at Basis, Nottingham, Michell, and VPI. goin to mull it over some....