2. analog
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Need to re-discover analog - please help

Like the short-sighted, lazy, modern moron that I am, I threw away all my LPs and turntable when I got hooked on my first decent CDP, a Kinergetics Platinum KD-40, 15 years ago. Because it was easier to take care of CDs. Now, my mother who was a musician, and had a classical collection of about 200 really absolutely great recordings, collected from the 1940s til the 80s, has left me her collection. They just have to be preserved, played and savored. I need an analog set-up that will a) do them justice and b) not sound noticeably "worse" compared to the digital set-up I am now used to. My analog set-up that I discarded (I know, I know.........please dont rub it in, what's done is done.) was a Denon 103D and Sony PS-800 linear tracking TT and also a Kenwood marble platter with SME tone-arm and also Denon 103 D cartridge and circa 1980 PS Audio MC phono stage.
The present system, to which must now obligatorily be added a turntable: EMM DCC2/CDSD; Atma-Sphere Line-stage MP-1 MkII, Atma-Sphere MA 2.2 modified (27 tubes each); Kharma 3.2; Indra Stealth i/cs; PAD Dominus i/cs and S/Cs (Rev C & B).

I tried MM cartridges before - Dynavector,Ortofon,Shure V15 iv - but only liked the MC Denon 103D - so would prefer that MC "sound".

I have not kept up with the analog market, nor new equipment, and am totally ignorant about the components but would greatly appreciate input as to what TT, tone-arm, cartridge and phono preamp to get that would neither bankrupt me nor do the wonderful collection my mother left me a disservice, nor my ear that is now spoiled by the pretty "good" digital, ancillary set-up I have. Nor, obviously, sound "inferior" to the CDs:)

What sort of a budget am I looking at to keep the system within the overall quality of the associated equipment that I have, without going crazy, since i will still mostly be listening to CDs (unless i get totally hooked and go bonkers..........)?

I listen to classical 90% of the time and 95% of her collection is classical.

As always, I appreciate your advice.
springbok10

Showing 2 responses by rottenclam

rottenclam
59 posts
 
Ok, I have just finished reading this thread from top to bottom and it has been a helluva story, but what gives? We need a follow-up!!!

As a digital guy who is eager to get rolling into the vinyl club, this story was made for somebody like me. A bunch of you guys really should take a bow for being fairly impartial, anecdotal, and really inspiring to Springbok. Man, this was a good read, and a great example of how hobbyists can often band together in order to help pull a guy through his unexplored part of the journey.

With that said, it is also a great break from a lot of other threads that are often polluted by absolutisms and mud-slinging.

So Springbok, please give us an update.

-Jake
rottenclam
59 posts
 
Wow, now I kinda am sorry I asked. What a royal pain in the ass! And yeah, I hear you with wanting to tear your hair out after putting the cash down, waiting, and then doing the setup as best you can; only to find that the stumbling blocks are of the most mind-numbing variety. Man, I would probably go crawl into a bottle or something after those kind of (mis)adventures.

Still, your commitment is really admirable. I think putting the setup onus on the local dealer is the way to go, at least as a newbie. You seem to have the patience of Job though, so the end to your journey should be quite rewarding. Good luck and keep us informed.

-Jake
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